After living in the middle of nowhere (Pingelly, WA Australia) for 6 or 7 weeks, I started to go crazy and left the small town and it's nice people.
I set out to find a new adventure, and naturally went to a music festival first (Southbound). The problem with that is, that I'm just too old to work all day and party all night, I seriously don't have enough energy - especially in Australia's heat.
After the music festival, I bounced around the towns of Busselton, Dunsborough and Margaret River. All huge in their surf culture. I love surfers - the same way I love stoners, they're just so chill and at ease with everything, and I'm always so wound up and stressed. I try not to be on vacay though.
I've been bouncing between Margaret River and Perth the last week or so. I need to find a job and funds are running out fast. Problem is: I'd much rather be homeless and sleep illegally in my tent-hammock, just so I could have money the next day to have a couple drinks and eat some ice cream. At this rate, I won't last long.
Surfing from Margs to the city way waaay too easy. I walked to the edge of town, and as I extended my arm, the 2nd car pulled over. Did I mention that I love this town/surfers? It was a really nice older dude, I think his name was Daniel, and he gave me a ride (with a stop or two) right into the core of the city. We talked a little bit, and were silent for long whiles as well. I didn't realize how far the 340km trek was - I had spent a few days to get down there.
I spent Thurs - Sun in Perth, hanging out with a few random people, and on Monday decided to head back south (my backpack with all my stuff and money was at the backpackers in Margaret River - I had decided that I would give myself a budget, much like in TheAmazingRace - I had $200 for that leg of the trip). Well that's all good and well until you have $6 in your pocket, no car or money for the bus or food, and no credit/debit cards as back-up.
I was staying in South Perth, and walked out to where two highways meet, as I thought it would be the perfect place to hitch. People had suggested I take the train down to Mandurah (as far as the train goes out of Perth in the correct direction) and then try from there, but stubbornly, I didn't see the point. The walk to the spot was 2-3km, and it was hot with little shade around (PS, since I've got to Aus, I've grown a new appreciation for some good shade!). I got to the spot, positioned myself and put out my finger. After the first 10minutes, I thought maybe it was no use. Maybe hitching was going to be as difficult as it had been in the UK. But this couldn't be right - Australians seem so friendly! I decided I would give it another 10minutes, and if all fails, I would have to use the remainder of my money to catch that train.
A great looking Australian, about my age picked me up. His name was Sandy and he was a paramedic just getting off night shift. His eyes widened when he heard where I was heading, and suggested I take the train to Mandurah. He was only able to drive me a few exits down, and wished me the best of luck, as I was heading back towards the freeway.
Next a very nice older man picked me up. He was probably around 60 and delivered paint for a living. I was nervous for him when he pulled over because he was in a big truck and didn't pull over far enough, even though I was in a prime hitching spot. His worries consisted of my getting a fine for being on the freeway. I told him that I had a cop drive by me already - but I must have not concerned him, cuz he didn't turn back. The man told me he had never seen snow and was always fascinated with Canada - I basically passed along the "now or never" message, saying that he can't live through life without experiencing snow - that was absurd! He dropped me off in Mandurah, so at least I got that far.
After that, I was surprised to see a lady pull over to pick me up. She was darker skinned and could just not get over the fact that I was hitching, and out in the open sun. We chatted vaguely about my travels and the fact that I'm running out of money, and without even batting an eyelash suggested the name of a company that's "always looking for girls" - a massage parlor that gives happy endings. I tried not to look shocked, and even took out my phone to write down the name of the company. Shit, we never know which direction my trip might lead me.
A funny dude picked me up next. He's probably in his 50's and a welder. Stayed on the side of the road a while to (in true Aussie fashion) role a smoke. Told me he was adding some weed into it, more so than asked me if I minded, and we drove along. He offered me a job that didn't require me touching anyone inappropriately. He just needed someone to do paperwork for him. Problem was - that the gig was in between where I wanted to be, and so i grabbed his number and continued along. But before I left, he have me a baseball hat, saying I need sun protection and it was too gangstah for him- it was too gangstah for him!
Jodie picked me up next. She drove me the longest of ways. Turns out she's a musician in the Margaret River area and knew that band that I had seen a few days before at that winery. She told me she had just played a gig at the Rosemount Hotel (my favorite Perth venue thus far) and was now on her way home. She was totally chill and had the slang of such a surfer/rocker. We talked about everything - boys and expectation for countries, what the towns were like and what I should see next. I have her card and hope to see her again soon. She was lovely.
She dropped me off truly in between places, but I was only out of her car for 3 minutes before a lovely lady with her grandson picked me up. The lady was totally worried about a girl hitchhiking, but I was telling her that everyone I had met had been nothing short of amazing. Australians are truly helpful people (if Canada wasn't so far, it might have a fight for their reputation). She gave me her card and told me her daughter had a ranch and may need an au pair (once again, middle of nowhere, but riding horses on the beach seems a good way to spend a couple weeks or a month, no?)
Rory picked me up after she dropped me off. He was a total surfer/rocker. I asked what he did for work and he said he built surfboards and made music. I love music! and so he played me some of his shit. That stuff with fun beats that people are into. It was actually pretty good. We continued chatting and he said he had just gotten out of jail a few weeks back so he was still getting into the swing of things (cuz that's what you should be telling a female hitchhiker, haha, some people). I made sure he hadn't killed anyone or robbed any banks, and when he told me he had just been busted for smuggling a shittonne or really good drugs it all made sense, his gittery hands and all - totally unlike the calm stoner surfer type. He dropped me off just outside Yellingup, about 50kms from home.
Two more rides with two lovely gentleman, and I was in familiar territory again. Like I said, the ride over was just too easy - the return needed some adventure. But you know, with all the sweet ass people I met, I am so happy it went the way it did. That just shows that there were 9 super helpful people out there - that just weren't going as far as I needed to go, but were totally willing to help!
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