ENNAhoo, I was in Melbourne for the whole time, except for 4 days of it, when I was Sydney as a surprise gift for Willem honey (an online Aussie friend I finally met RL when in Melbourne)! His 21st birthday, and he was surprised, alright. I didn't get to go many places, worked most the time I was there as waitress (at Cafe Pazzo on Williams street; if you get there, it's a great place to eat)and finally as financier at Sanwa Australia Finance Limited on Collins and King street, just one block up the road from Cafe Pazzo and the... um, some kind of Square. AMP Square! *nods*. Imagine my surprise! I was a temporary worker at Hays Metier Personnel. I mostly lived at Hotel Bakpak, an international Youth Hostel at 167 Elizabeth Street (for ten months). For about 2 months of the year I was there, I moved into a house on Queensberry Road, North Melbourne. Hopefully, I will get pics of that soon.

Australia was... quite different from the States. For the most part, it was shocking. Behaviour was hideous at times, and any man HERE would have gotten slapped with a sexual harrassment suit sooner than he could blink if he tried to pull some of the stunts typical of the Aussie male (or yabbo, or bloke). The mentality towards women (Shielas) truly IS of about 20-30 years behind those of the States, and we thought WE had it bad. Few people own guns, but don't believe anyone who says Australia has NO guns, because that's not true. There WERE shootings reported at night clubs when I was there, but for the most part, it was stabbings and such. 19 million people is all the entire country claims as a population, and its the size of the USA. Not many people. Their states are more like provinces, so they can't quite be compared to US states, and same for the cities. Melbourne was HUGE and sprawling, but had only 3 million people. Most of Australia lives on the fringes of the island, Perth, Brisbane, Darwin, Melbourne, etc... as the interior is vastly desert region. I did not get into the infamous "outback". I DID see kangaroos and wallabies and such, however. I would strongly suggest to anyone considering visiting there NOT to stay longer than three weeks, three months at the most if you plan to travel the Great Ocean Road, Gold Coast, Whitsunday Islands and such, but three months is even a bit excessive. New Zealand would be much better to spend more time at, though I did not get there... but knowing what I know now, I should have chosen to stay my year there, instead. Nicer people, prettier scenery (you know, Hercules and Xena are filmed in NZ... and that IS what it looks like. Many people I know who go there wish they'd have chosen NZ over Oz, so there you are).

I have many, many more piccies to come, but let's start with these, which my darling sister scanned in for me as I had to leave my pics at home in Spokane when I came out here to Illinois, which is where I currently reside. These tend to center around my sister and me, as Bonnie was wonderful enough to visit me for three weeks in Oz. Most are also on location at Hotel BakPak (or hotel Dutchpak, as its refered to for all the Dutch who are there) and especially in the inhouse bar called the Roo Bar (I understand they're trying to find a new name for it). I will include a link to the hostel, too, if I can find one. Anyway, browse!! Because this was one of my ....most interesting life experiences ever. It was a good, good thing for me to have to endure... I mean, enjoy. *grins* I met some fantastic people and saw some odd things. A different country. Wow. Was it ever. I hope to go back some day... I kind of miss the place, but I'll never admit it. Heh. And my mates, you know who you are, I love you all heaps and tonnes! *smooOOOoches*(p.s., I think I make it sound, maybe, a terrible place to go. Actually, I suggest getting there, to Oz, if you can. Don't stay a year, but do go visit. It's a venture you won't forget!)

Me in the Dandenongs, a mountain range to which Justine took me. I am feeding the rosellas, small parrot-like birds.

I didn't get bitten, but Juz did!

Me on the front steps of the hostel, where all the action happened. No kidding! This place was hopping... cops and crooks and fights... wow!

Then Bonnie and me at the reception desk being Kooky Kids as always!

Again, Bonz and me posing on the reception desk.

Juz was the receptionist/Security Warden at the hotel, so we were allowed to to do this. Heh.

More West Side!!!

An attempt at an Ozzie's Angels pose. Justine is the other lady in the picture, and I tell you the truth when I say I am alive still today because of her. True salt of the Earth person there, crazy and generous as they come. TEN MINUTES!!!

Me, probably pretty hammered (or pissed, as Commonwealthians might say, meaning drunk) at the celebration of my 26th Birthday in the Roo Bar. Looks like I'm hanging on Juz here... and she's just 4 days younger than me! NEAT!

Us, being silly as usual in the lobby of the hostel!

Me and some friends on the front steps! Left to right is Brig Baby!(Brigid, Aussie, a darn good drink-mixer and great hug-giver), Mic (Irish laddie), Justine in the middle, Darryl honey, Me, and Carlos from Guatamala. A REAL sweety. The one with his arms out is Darren.

Down in the Roo Bar... the bouncer is Andrew, then there's me and Darryl who, as always, "is a wreck!" Love him anyway. *grins*

One of my first and best friends in Oz was Jarrod Boyle. He was the bouncer down in the Roo Bar before Andrew (Andrew was an old friend of Jarrod's). His big dream is to be a movie director... or something... and he is well on his way, I hear. Or at least, he's gotten some attention in Victoria. GOOD FOR HIM! This is on my Birthday as well, outside the Public Bar on Elizabeth Street, across from the Vic Markets. It's a dive but he was at the door, so we went there to chat with him.

AH! Me and some of my possie! *hehs* These are my girls, friends I made and met with in the Roo Bar. Not all of them, just a few. The others are not in this particular pic. Danelle the Kiwi is on the far left. Then there's Liz from Leicester in England, me, and ....Femke's friend, Catherine, I think. She is Dutch. I didn't know her very long, but she was very sweet.

My very cool(grouse)friend, Jane Prindable. Artist, musician, incredible singer and darn good bar tender. Met her at the R Bar of course. If you can ever find anything musical under the name Godnose, pick it up, please. She is the bassist and lead vocals. The band is punk but has been listed under ska as well. They rock, trust me. This pic was taken by Bonnie in the Hard Rock Cafe at the very end of Bourke street. One of the only places you could find sweet'n'low and iced tea. And that's because it's American owned (and the only place with bottomless coffee. Nope, can't get that in Oz).

....And some Miscellaneous pictures....

Darryl and me in the Roo Bar.

Also in the Roo Bar. No, I hadn't been drinking. In fact, I rarely drank at all there. I brought in my own bottle of coke, instead. And yes, it was just coke.

Me best Aussie mate, Juzzie (Justine Christerson). One grouse, true blue chicky. Or whatever. *laughs* She helped me more than words can ever say. Wonderful, beautiful person. I love this lady! And her hubby is pretty cool, too. *grins at Gaz*

This had some signifigance. Behind us, which can't be seen, is the place they shoot the Aussie soap-opera, Neighbours. The cul-de-sac is where we are parked. I'd never heard of the show till I got to Oz, of course. Russell Street. Think that was the name. Randall! No, maybe not...

My good friend Carlos, a gentleman and a great dancer! Carlos is a dear, wonderful soul, and his God drinks beer. *grins* I adore this man. This particular shot is from the airport. They have that... cowboy guy sitting on a bench there. Strange.

Juz and Carlos, two of my favorite people! Carlos was, for awhile, driving the Hotel bus to the airport and back. The hostel had some guests who would work for accomodation by touting for people fresh off the plane, or the bus or the boat. That means they tried to get as many people to Hotel Bakpak as possible, handing out flyers and such. You'd be surprised by how many people come to Melbourne (and probably anywhere like this) without having a clue as to where they will stay the night. Often its just the Backpacker's Way.

My going-away party in the RooBar *laughs*. Pretty much just these three showed. Poor Juz had been planning it as a surprise and as I was well-known by the hostel staff (lived there 10 months! I knew more about the hostel than most of the staff), she expected at least a few to come have a drink and see me off. WELL! I know who my mates are, eh? *grins* Juz, Brig and Jane. I think Michel and Glen made an appearance later. I still had fun!

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