I Have a New Guest

I wasn't really sure how I would react to snakes in Australia.  Spiders I knew I wouldn't like because I don't even like the small ones at home.  During the summer months, I used to have tons and tons of spiders spinning webs outside of my apartment door.  At night, they would come out and hang in front of it, so it was always a challenge to sneak into my apartment.

Actual Python near my tent

Snakes, however, I didn't encounter very often.  To be honest, I don't even remember the last time I saw one back home.  When I was younger, my brother used to find Garter snakes all of the time in our yard, since my parents lived out in the country.  They weren't venomous snakes, though occasionally my brother would get bitten.  The 'wound' was really only like a paper cut.

Now I'm in a country with loads of snakes, both venomous and not.  I think if I saw an Eastern Brown snake, I would have a heart attack because I really don't want to die or even be sick in the hospital because of a bite from one of them.

This weekend, I actually saw a Python near my tent.  Growing up, some families kept Pythons as pets.  On rare occasions, I remember seeing massive snakes wrapped around people's necks and shoulders like a fashion accessory.  A pet like that, however, you don't really expect to see out in the wild.

It was a bit of a shock at first, but after knowing it was a Python (which are nonvenomous snakes), I wasn't really bothered by it at all.  It was coiled up like a garden hose , but I really would've liked to see it slithering through the grass or wrapping itself around a tree.  I posted the photo on Facebook and, of course, my friends and family back home were horrified.

No one at the AFL was really the least bit afraid.  A few people, including myself, came to gawk at the animal, but aside from that no one was even the least bit alarmed. I thought it was a Python right away, but another backpacker confirmed my suspicions when one of my friends asked what it was. 

I think that because there are so many things that can kill you here, a nonvenomous snake is the least of my worries.  It even eats rodents, so really, it's a pest-remover.   Now I just need to be able to see Huntsman spiders in the same light. 

Tomorrow is a Mystery

Bartending during Pub Crawl

A year ago, I would've been excited for the week because it would mean the school week would have been over.  I always bartended on Friday nights, but work was more like a party anyways.

Now all I can think about is where I am going to be in a year from now.  I'm unable to get a second year working visa, because Americans are unable to get them, but I think I do want to live in Australia.  It's just a matter of how.

Attempting to surf this past spring

It's interesting because my boyfriend and I have been talking about marriage in the future a lot lately, however, that is something that would happen down the road from now.  It's truly exciting, though, to think about the future, especially since I'm done with school and can begin life as an adult.

I already started that life, but it's going to be different when I have a salary and probably work during the week, having weekends off. I want to keep surfing, and hopefully can on the weekends or even in the mornings.

When I was younger, I always wondered what I was going to be like when i grew up.  To be honest, I still wonder the same thing.

Thursday Movie Night

If you want to party in Byron Bay, there is something for you every day of the week.  If you stay at the Arts Factory, most of the time you don't even need to leave to find a party.

Otherwise, bars are open 7 days a week, many of which host themed party nights and bands.  There is no shortage o party opportunities.

Sometimes, however, you just want to avoid alcohol and the party scenes, and just relax.  That was how David, Lois and I felt last night.  Quite a few of the backpackers from the AFL headed out of town for a Wolfmother concert--I was told it was a really good show--but the three of us just wanted to relax and go to bed early.  We came up with the perfect solution.

About two weeks ago, when our friend Louise was still here, David downloaded Crazy, Stupid Love so we could all watch it on his iPad.  Partying got in the way, and we never seemed to have an open opportunity to watch the movie, until last night.

I grabbed one of my big, blue, fuzzy blankets from my tent and a bar of chocolate from the vending machine.  David grabbed his iPad, and Lois just grabbed a seat.  We all squeezed onto one of the couches right outside of the rec area, propped the iPad up, and chilled out.  It was a really great, simple night, and I woke up feeling fresh and ready for the weekend.  Happy Friday!

I Want Candy

I'm not the biggest sweets person in the world, but it seems that my sweet tooth has been growing since I came to OZ. Eating an actual bar of chocolate is a real rarity back home, but I'm beginning to realize that I have been hanging out with more women while I have been in Australia.  Back home, I always hang out with guys, who never seem to eat chocolate or candy.  Just pizza...and lots of it.

 Girls are chocolate fiends though.  You don't have to have the 'munchies' to eat sweets and there is no need for a special occasion to get out a bar of chocolate--all you need is the idea of chocolate and the deal is sealed.

Once again, I rarely eat dessert back home.  If I make brownies or cookies, or really any other dessert for that matter, it's a big production.  You get a couple of girls together, make a pan of brownies, and watch chick flicks all night.  Not here.  As soon as dinner is over, it seems like every girl and her mother reaches for her personal stash of chocolate, and disperses it among her friends.

Such candy includes gummy snakes or frogs, chocolate bullets (white or milk chocolate-coated red or black licorice), Cadbury or Lindt chocolate bars, malted milk balls, etc.  The other night we even make a trip into town just to get frozen yogurt--it was about 10 o'clock at night.

You would think that I would gain a million pounds, but as far as I know, I'm not gaining any at the moment.  My pants still fit the same and my face doesn't look unusually bloated.  I believe I am overindulging a bit lately, but I feel as though a moderate amount of chocolate daily is not bad for you.  Of course, we all know that some chocolates are healthier than others, but it's all about moderation.  I want to cut back on my chocolate indulgences, but not cut them out.  At this point, I'm not sure that I could even give chocolate up...and Halloween is just around the corner.

Eight-Legged and Eerie

Saltwater crocodiles, snakes, spiders, box jellyfish, sharks, blue-ring octopus, and centipedes all have two things in common: they live in Australia and can kill you.  I haven't even seen any of the creatures above except one, and they lurk around my tent at night: spiders.

I'm aware that many of them are harmless,  but they aren't the most cuddly looking animals either.  Some of the Huntsman spiders can grow to be larger than human hands.  True, they help keep mosquitoes and other pests away, but I still don't think I want to stare at 8 furry legs connected to a fat, black body lingering above my bed.

One of my friends lives out in The Jungle, and recently gained a new roommate: a Huntsman.  She was laying in bed and could see the spider in between her tent and its top waterproof layer.  I'm not envious of her in the least.

I laughed at my friend until I went into my tent one night to go to bed.  I went to zip the front of my tent and a spider moved from between my tent and one of the tent poles.  I shrieked like a girl, grabbed my flip flop, and turned the spider into a stain.

I felt relieved that it was dead, until I shined my cell phone light along the inner wall of the tent.  I ended up seeing two more spiders inside my tent, neither of which I successfully killed.  I only ended up knocking them off the tent wall, probably sending them right into my bed, under my covers.

I think in time I will get used to seeing spiders more often.  I typically am not afraid of them unless they surprise me, or are just massive.  That being said, I dislike that they are so small and can do so much damage if you tangle with the wrong one.  If I were to die from a deadly creature in Australia, I'd rather have it be from a shark or crocodile at least.

Everyday is a Journey, and the Journey Itself is Home

There are so many things going on constantly in Byron Bay; it keeps you busy and makes it easy to meet new people. The video above will give you a good idea of things to do while in Byron.  Below are events going on each week I am here:

On Sundays, the Byron Bay Brewery hosts Karaoke night.  People are invited to participate from all corners of the world. We can always hear the thunder of the bass and screeching of the untalented from the Arts Factory.  It makes for good entertainment nonetheless.

The Ginger Pig is a popular spot on Monday nights because it hosts Rasta night.  I haven't been to the Rasta night yet, but I have heard about the laid back music and atmosphere of the reggae scene.

Tuesdays are a big night at the AFL: the talent show.  People gather from both the jungle and mainland to participate as spectators at the famous talent show.  Acts include hula hoopers, guitarists, singers, and even comedians.  Like the karaoke on Sundays, not all who participate are talented, but it's still a good time.

Wednesday nights can prove to be very beneficial for those who participate in trivia at the AFL.  Each participant pays a two dollar fee and can win a number of free excursions, such as a trip to Nimbin, snorkeling, or even skydiving.  In addition, the winning team gets to keep all of the money from the entry fees.

Thursday night at the Brewery is another eventful evening: ArtsExposure.  This includes fire-spinners, decor, graffiti and DJ's, not to mention $3 beers and $4 hot dogs.  It's a perfect opportunity to check out the works of local artists without breaking the bank.

Fridays and Saturdays are pretty much fair game for any bar or club in Byron Bay.  Occasionally you will hear of beach parties, but mostly people head to the larger venues in town, such as Cheeky Monkeys, Woody's Surf Shack, The Northern, or Cocomangas.  Loads of travellers are seen wandering around the streets of Byron on the weekends.

And then it starts all over again. 

Sharing is Caring

Although we already share a room or even a bed with other people here at the Arts Factory, we seem to share just about everything else.  Yesterday I was hanging out with David and his room/bed mate, Louise, all day.  We went shopping and just hung out in town nearly all day.  While we were grocery shopping, we decided we were just going to share some of the things between us instead of each buying a bag of it.  When we finished, we sat down at a table in front of Legend Pizza, shared a cigarette, and demolished a bag of potato chips and Aioli.

When we came back to the AFL, we each contributed some minced beef, noodles, and tomato sauce so that we could make a giant pan of spaghetti.  Our friend Tyse came and talked to us, so we shared with him as well.  Everyone was very well-fed by the time dinner was over.

David and Louise

Then Louise brought out the chocolate chip cookies.  None of us had much room left in our stomachs, but we each took a cookie (or two) and continued talking.  Eventually we made our way downstairs and continued sharing stories between us.

The whole point of this post is that living in a community like the one at the AFL is somewhat socialistic.  I don't want to get crazy political, but the system we have here just works.  Everyone contributes and everyone shares.  Someone might make you dinner one night, so you offer to make them dinner the following night.  It's just like an unspoken agreement, even though once you give, you don't really expect to receive anything back.  You do it purely because you enjoy giving; you enjoy helping out others.

I think this works so well because no one here has a lot of money.  Sometimes you're up, and sometimes you're down, but nearly everyone has been in your place before.  I've realised that you need to take care of the people in your life above all else.  In time, money spends, possessions lose their value and grandeur, but loyalty can be infinite.  When you have no material possessions, you can still be the most fortunate person in the world.

It's Not Good-Bye; It's See You Later

Me with Maren and Yuan the last night I saw them

One of the most bittersweet things here at the AFL is meeting new people because it means eventually you have to say good bye to them.  People come to Byron for visits, not typically to stay long term.

Kyle

You make friends with them, hang out with them, go to the beach with them, and then they travel elsewhere.  The nice thing is that you meet people through people and the overlap of friendships is constant.  You're definitely never alone.

Alice

Nonetheless, I have still had a few people leave since I have been at the AFL. First it was Maren and Yuan.  They came to Byron when I did after our week at Spot X; they only stayed for a few days.  One of my friends from California left a week ago already, and now, my friend Alice leaves today at 11 AM.  I was fortunate enough to see her this morning in the kitchen so I could at least say good bye.  The nice thing about Alice leaving is that she just started her one year visa, so she plans on traveling, but also plans on coming back to Byron again.  That will be awesome to see her a couple of months down the road.  It'll be like a reunion.

Conor

Contrary to the people who leave are the people trapped by the cool vibes of the AFL, unable to leave.  Conor was one of those.  He had actually planned on only staying for 2 nights; it turned into over two weeks.  He even had a bus scheduled at one point; an hour before he was meant to leave, he decided he was going to stay for a few more days, even though he couldn't get his money back for the bus he missed.  I believe he actually leaves Australia today to head back home.

Douglas

 Then there are the people who get jobs and plan on staying in Byron for the long haul.  I am extremely happy for my friend Douglas in that aspect.  He was running low on money and was thinking about leaving Byron to head back to Sweden, but yesterday he found out he got the bus driving job at the AFL.  He already did his farm work so now he just needs to apply for his second year visa.  He plans on staying in Byron for another 6 months.

At Kelly's in Oshkosh. Note: Even the bar owner is in this picture.

It's funny because the AFL reminds me a lot of my home back in Oshkosh.  It's known as a college town--the university is really what keeps the town alive, in my opinion.  My favorite bar attracts all kinds of people, and it really becomes a big family.  So many of the people I hang out with back home either have worked at Kelly's, do work at Kelly's, or drink religiously at Kelly's.  The problem is that when they graduate and need to find real jobs, they leave Oshkosh, sometimes to different parts of the country.  They almost always come back at some point or another, but it feels like losing a family member.

I'm experiencing the same sort of feeling here in Byron Bay; bittersweet is the perfect word for life here at the AFL.

Optimism is Key

In preparation to come to Byron Bay, I had many expenses to pay, both planned and unforeseen.  Just to get here, I needed to pay the people who set up the internship with Mojosurf, pay for my Working/Holiday visa, and buy a plane ticket.  Then my goal was to just save, and save, and save.

Instead, I barely saved any money.  I needed to buy a new phone over the summer, which cost me nearly $800.  I also prematurely quit my good-money-making job because of a coworker I didn't get along with.  Luckily, I found a new job.  However, it didn't pay nearly as well.  I struggled to pay bills, let alone save money.  Then, of course, the month before I came here, I had a road trip out to the L.A. airport with my boyfriend, his brother, and two of their friends.  I was nearly broke by the time I got to Byron Bay.

But I still made it here, and I'm still surviving.  If I hadn't already invested so much money into this internship, I probably would've stayed back at home and tried to earn some more money.  I did pay a lot for the trip already, so I wasn't about to turn back.  

Now, I met a lot of people while I've been here, and many of them are short on money.  Nearly all of them have very little money, in fact.  But many of the people that I have met have also been traveling Australia for months and months.  I felt very unprepared.

I did talk to one of my friends who got to the Arts Factory two weeks before me and was in the same predicament.  My friend is like the happiest person I have met so far.  He never really has money to go out, like myself, but he always has fun around 'camp' and figures that something will happen for the better in the long run.

The optimism is powerful here.  You don't have to have a lot of money or tons of nice clothes.  If you can't afford to drink, you need to learn to have fun without alcohol.  The fun and the adventure are right in front of you; it's all about what you make of your situation.  My situation is pretty good at the moment.

Welcome to the Jungle

At the Arts Factory Lodge, there are two main types of  lodging: mainland and jungle.  The mainland lodging is  a number of 2+ share dorms.  These are right next to the reception area, the main bathrooms and the rec room.  Also, they actually have electricity.

The jungle is a whole different animal.  The jungle is where the Mojo Surf participants reside, but beyond them is a field of nylon tents.  Backpackers can stay at the AFL for a very cheap price if they bring their own tents and camp.  What's interesting about the tents is that many of the campers have couches and coffee tables inside of them.  I have never seen anything like it; the campers literally turn their tents into small homes. There is a kitchen and a bathroom with showers, however, the atmosphere is completely different: secluded.

If you walk around the camping area, you'll actually come to a garden with an array of vegetables growing. The plants appeared to be a mixture of random vegetables, planted by passing travelers.  It inspired me to plant a few things for over the summer while I'm here.  How fantastic would it be to go make your lunch with fresh tomatoes and lettuce?  I think I may just have to do that.

I had an Australian show me the jungle area--he's in Byron for a holiday, though he's not sure for how long.  He told me that the atmosphere was very friendly and I believe him entirely.  I have hung out on the mainland every night since I have been at the AFL--even though my tent is technically in the jungle--and even just walking through the jungle felt so much more relaxed and homey.  It was an area for people who behaved more like a family because they would be living with each other for a much longer period of time.