Cooly

So Godfrey has refused to sign me off on the days that I've worked for my second year visa. His reason being that I didn't stay for 3 months like I said I did, and that he wasn't just gonna sign people off for staying one month, and that it's a busy time for them and it'll be hard for them to find replacements. Well fuck, when we talked on the phone back in Sydney, he said we'll see whether I like the job or not. He never worked one single day with me, he didn't know that I've been working more hrs than he said I would. I didn't bother arguing with him, and Mrs. Morgan just sat there and said nothing. She wrote me a cheque for my pay, with a scrap piece of paper that said how much taxes was taken off. She never got me to sign any tax declaration form, and she just got me to write down my mailing address in the corner of their accounting book. Everything just seemed so sketchy, but I really just wanna get outta there! Mrs. Morgan still need to drop me off at the Greyhound bus stop in Miles so I'm in no position to piss anyone off. Back at the trailer I've finished cleaning everything and washed the bed sheets and was just waiting for Mrs. Morgan to come pick me up. James came back for lunch and we were talking, he understands where I'm coming from. He could work 12+hrs a day 7 days a week, but he enjoys working and he enjoys what he does. He agrees with me that if I don't like what I'm doing and there's no motivation, there's no point staying.

I was really upset the whole 8hr ride to Coolangatta. I told Cam what happened and he was super pissed about it too. He said I should've argued for it, but I just didn't wanna deal with the Morgan's anymore. Greyhound dropped me off in Tweeds and I still needed to take another city bus to get to the hostel, by then it was around 9.30PM. I told the bus driver where I needed to get off, but he forgot so I ended up getting off 2 stops after. He tried to get the bus coming the other way to stop for me but it went by really fast, so I walked 15min back hauling my 2 luggages and it felt like forever. Finally got to the hostel, sweaty and exhausted. Luckily couple girls were still up so I didn't feel too bad getting in late, I just hopped in the shower and went to bed.

Woke up at 7AM this morning, guess I'm still on farm clock. I saw a post about a Beachfront Market at the Marine Parade in Tweeds and I was asking the reception about taking the bus there, the guy there just so happened to be heading out with the courtesy shuttle bus so he said he could just drop me off. On the bus I met 2 brothers from China. When I got to Tweeds it was around 9.30AM and I was super hungry because I only had 2 eggs for breaky before I left the farm and a cup noodle from the hostel vending machine for dinner last night. Had myself a chicken schnizel, then I went to check out the market. It was super hot so I did a quick walk around and went to check out the beach. The sand was so nice and fine, barely anyone on the beach. I often wonder if the Aussies appreciate their beaches as much as the tourists, because all their beaches are stunningly beautiful.

I walked down to the next street where most of the shops are to check the bus schedule. I still had 30min so I walked around the street and checked out some shops. A lot of cafés and pie shops, Aussies love their meat pies. Originally I was gonna go do some grocery shopping at Pacific Fair in Broad Beach, but decided to go check out Surfers Paradise while the weather's nice. Their transit system is very confusing here. There are several buses that go to the same destination but on different routes. The thing though buses don't tell you what the next stop is, you basically needs to know exactly where you get off. So it's very hard for us tourists who don't know our way, and the bus drivers often forget to tell you even when you ask them to remind you. So a bunch of us who were heading to Surfers got onto the wrong bus. The driver had to chase behind the right bus and we all hopped over.

I got off right by the harbour, there were people jet skiing and boating in the canals, and every house has their own boat launch. Wouldn't it be nice to live here. Surfers Paradise was basically like a plaza full of restaurants and retail shops like Roxy and Quicksilver, very commercialized and tourisy. I had a beer at a bar by the beach where we need to sign in as guest at the bar, and carry a receipt with us saying that we're of age. They even have a Starbucks here, first I've seen since I've been in Australia. Bought a Gold Coast mug as a souvenir for my best friend PO because he collects them. Afterwards I was gonna catch the bus back to the hostel for barbie night but I've just missed it and they only come every 30min, it takes 40min to get back, so I decided to pick up some grocery at Woolworth's instead.

I bought a week's worth of groceries but forgot to get milk. Told the bus driver where I needed to get off and he forgot again, so I had to walk couple blocks back, but on the way found that there's actually a petro and a bottle shop just 5min walk from the hostel. Dropped off my food and went to get milk and beers, there's also a tavern with live band that I'd wanna check out another day. Got back to the hostel, showered, made dinner and had a beer. YHA Coolangatta is pretty remote, besides the airport next to the tavern and the beach across the highway, everywhere else you'd need to take a bus, with the closest Coles 10min ride away. The hostel itself is kept pretty clean and the staff are all very nice. They have BBQ night once a week, and a lounge room where they put on movies every night and everyone just kinda relax. I'm thinking of going to the post office in Tweeds tomorrow to mail some stuff home, especially the souvenirs I've bought. Don't want them to weigh me down for the rest of my trip.