My First Day

Thursday

When I woke up (early, as the temperature was rising, and the Air Condition is broken), the list of things that I needed to do seemed a little daunting. Not only did I not know hardly anyone, but I didn’t know where anything was either. What to do first.

It seemed logical to pick up my hire car, as that way I won’t have to rely on my host’s (Alan and Emma, with 3 kids) generosity, and running me everywhere. Alan drove me back to the airport (40 minutes) were I picked up the car I had booked. That was the first slice of good luck. The car company didn’t have the car I had booked (a very basic, cheap model) and gave me a free upgrade to a little bigger car. I have a bright red Toyota Corolla for the next week.

It seemed logical that I should get some official stuff done, so I drove into downtown Perth, and very fortunately found the Immigration office at the attempt. I’ve had my visa validated in my passport in about 30 minutes, so not bad.

Walking back to my car, I saw a hardware shop that was advertising cheap upright fans, so I couldn’t pass up that chance. I wasn’t going to spend another night like last night.

After sampling a couple of the local cafes for coffee, and sushi??(I know you wouldn’t believe it) I had my next appointment. It was for a uniform fitting. I had heard horror stories from people about the uniform stores being able to only supply one sock, or a shirt that was 8 sizes to big (I would like to see them offer me a shirt that was 8 sizes to big—I hear you say that there isn’t enough cotton in the world), but mine was all in stock, including a very fetching cowboy hat, (I don’t think I’ll be wearing that. Jane almost fell off her chair when I showed it to her).

On the way back to where I live, I tried another of the local traditions, a drive thru off licence (I was very rubbish at it, as I didn’t know any beers, or wine they could offer, so I had to get out the car. I might as well have walked into the shop like any normal person.

I drove round to the Drivers Licensing place, to get a Australian Licence, which I need for work, but am stuck in a little Catch 22 at the moment. I can’t get a licence until I can show proof of address, and I can’t get a proof of Address, until I get a driver’s licence, or bank account, or the like.

I fell into bed that night. Boy was I tired.