Gold Coast Adventure

Starting life at the land down under

The first 3 to 6 months of my stay in Australia was not easy. The odd jobs I did brought fun and happy moments but  at the same time tears to my blurry eyes.  :(

I arrived a week before the fringe festival was over and during that week, I had the chance to work as a person in charge in one of the booths there. I immediately started working in that booth owned by my agent, who fetched me from the airport to my new house right upon dropping off my luggage.  I worked 6 to 7 hours every evening on weekdays and 12 hours on the weekends.
Later on after fringe, I was introduced to a local restaurant owner who hired me as a kitchen hand. I was rostered for 3 to 4 days in a week comprising for at least 7 to 10 hours shift with 15 minutes lunch break. I was paid roughly 13 dollars per hour during the first 2 weeks but later had a 1 dollar additional thereafter. I stayed for 4 to 6 weeks and left when I thought my well-being was already at risk.

To cope with daily needs, I and some of my housemates decided to do catalogue work for our weekly food supply. Since I was the only one who stayed at home and not working at that time, I usually did the sorting and when they arrived from school, we would deliver them to our designated area. That was during winter time, the time when I really felt so down. That was also the time when I started sending my resumes to a number of centres and received calls asking for my certificate. This prompted me to think about my situation especially on the financial side as I also had to pay for the next term fee. That means, I would only be left with a thousand dollar after tuition fee payment and yet my accommodation and other living expenses were also at stake. I encouraged myself to just go with the flow, finish the Certificate 3 which was packaged with my Diploma course and try applying  after.

While doing the catalogue, we (with some of my housemates) would also do house cleaning to a house a few kilometres to where we lived. The cleaning would be done a fortnight and whoever was available could join in to clean.

My placement took place and my housemates became busy so we had to give up the catalogue work. After barely a month of placement work consisting of 2 and a half days per week, I was asked if I could work and start immediately. I was hesitant as I did not know if my school would allow me or if I would not breach any conditions. I asked my school and fortunately I was allowed.

I worked as relief/casual in the centre while I did my placement. I did not encounter any difficulties so far as I was really careful in my new environment especially with the protocols. I learned to adapt their ways here and still learning as of the moment. With all the experiences that I had, I can really say and attest that in every workplace, there are cultures and practices at how they do things. However, in handling the clients, I can also say that one has to have the passion and the heart to genuinely be happy and enjoy the work.

 

Exploring Sydney

I planned my trip to Sydney not for leisure but to process a very important document needed for my stay here in Australia. Otherwise, I should have stayed at home and just did nothing. Good thing though that the adventurous side of me kicked in so instead of staying there for a day, I made it to 3 days just so I could roam around the city.

I searched the Internet for a budget room or a hostel where I could stay for the days and which must also be easily accessible to the consulate office where I would be processing my document. I found Sydney Backpackers located in the heart of the city and only 9 minutes’ walk to the office. There were unit options to choose from a single room to 16 bed mix dorm unit type and rates vary depending on the unit and how long you stay. You can check the link for more information.

I chose the 8 bed dorm unit type that costs $33 per night so I booked and paid for my 2 nights reservation which was only at $12.80. I paid the rest of the amount when I checked in.

I made an initial itinerary prior to my flight which was scheduled on the 13^th of Dec at 11:40 in the morning. I planned to check in to the hostel before going around and to do that, I needed to find the place first. The nearest place to the hostel is Town Hall. There are other transportation mode to take but since I am on a tight budget, I preferred to take the train.

Day 1: Upon arrival at Sydney Airport Terminal 1, I asked the information desk the way to Mascot Station. I did not take the train from the Airport going to the city because it is expensive for me. There is a station access fee about $13 to $15 plus the $3 something fare when you board from the Airport. I walked for about 15 to 20 minutes from the airport going to Mascot station and that made me save some bucks.

Get an Opal Card for public transportation

I bought an Opal card with an amount of $20 in it from a convenient store in Mascot rather than buying a single trip paper ticket which costs at $8. I used the card from that station to Town Hall for $3.60, checked in the hostel and rested for a while before going out at around 7 in the evening.


Exploring Sydney at Night

St. Andrews Cathedral

Queen Victoria Building

Along Queen Victoria Build

 

Along Pitt Street

Opera House

Harbour at night

   

  

Day 2. Monday

After my transaction at the consulate office, I decided to walk down to Darling Harbour. There are a lot of different souvenir shops around including ferry rides. From here, I decided to find the cheapest rides using my Opal card. I asked the first establishment I saw offering rides. The lady told me the rides start from $28 to more than $100 depending on the destination. When I asked if I could use the card, she said they are a private agency and that the opal card is only used in number 3 for public transport. I located that number and boarded the ship going to Circular Quay.   
 

Pope Francis

During Pope Francis' visit to Philippines on January 2015

 

Cañao

I and an immediate family went to a village somewhere in Baguio City to visit and see a friend. It was a 30 minute ride from the city going up to Aurora Hill and still further up. The jeepney stopped at a junction where all passengers got down and proceeded on their own way. 

We walked for almost 10 minutes before we reached the house of our subject. At the entrance of the house, I saw some busy men cooking and washing something. I had a closer look of what they were doing when we were invited to go inside the house. They were actually beating a B-cull. So I knew they were having a pinikpikan. 

We entered the house and I saw these skulls welcoming us. 

My curiosity kicked in so I asked the man who was one of the men cooking outside about those skulls. He said these are from the previous Cañaos happened in the family. It was during the owner's parents marriage, their death and the son's own marriage.