Our part of Tamworth didn't have much. Couple hotels and some shops that never seem to be open. There were Aldi's and Coles a few blocks away and a BWS (Beer Wine Spirits bottle shop) right around the corner so that was good. Katrin was looking to buy some riding boots. She had checked out a saddlery shop close to the hostel but it was closed. One guy from the hostel told her about this other shop closer to city centre, it was also close to the city landmark, the Golden Guitar, so we decided to take a walk there. It turned out to be a 2hr walk under a 40° sun, we almost gave up half way. The Golden Guitar was a gigantic monument that symbolizes Tamworth's recognition and celebration of Australian country music. The tourist centre behind it had a café, gift shop, and a wax museum. I was looking through all the jackaroo hats at the shop and was really tempted to buy one but I already got Mundy's rustic hat.We weren't able to find that other saddlery shop and figured maybe it'd moved so we decided to head back. We didn't feel like walking all the way back in the heat, and it was the weekend so no buses were running, so we actually tried to hitch hike back. It took us 2 girls about 10min and after several cars passed us by, a guy finally stopped and gave us a lift right to the hostel. It was my first time hitch hiking, and I definitely wouldn't have done it if I was by myself. When we got back we tried the first saddlery shop but it was still closed, then we tried to look up the address of the second saddlery shop from their website which said was close to our hostel. We finally found it, it'd now turned into a fishing and sporting goods shop and the lady there told us that it moved to where the Golden Guitar is now. We were right there!!!
Finally got back to the hostel, jumped in the shower, made dinner and enjoyed a much needed ice cold beer in their tiny outdoor patio. I was just doing sudoku, minding my own business, when one of the French boys sitting beside me started chatting with me. He was really young, like 20 or something, but really nice kid. He's currently working at a chook farm, getting his second year and getting paid pretty well. I told him I was looking to get my second year as well and he said he'd take me to the job agency that got him the job. I also met an Aussie who's in town doing his butcher apprenticeship and his really tall and skinny but good looking friend Russell. The Aussie gave me a Jim Beam, at first I thought it's just beer, turned out it was bourbon&coke. Later on that night they were gonna go pub crawl and they asked me to join. Everyone was pretty buzzed by then, including myself after that Jim Beam, so we were all pretty hyped up. The first pub we went was a few blocks away. It had live band playing rock music in the front and a dj playing dance music in the back room. I'd much rather dance to rock but they all wanted to stay in the back. Later on when we were all taking a break sitting outside, Russell's friend, not the Aussie, asked if there's anything going on between me and the French boy because apparently he was planning to hit on me?! I guess I was pretty fond of the French boy, I felt like he's the little brother I've always wanted.
The pub was going dead, so we moved to the Imperial Hotel, apparently THE pub in town, which was actually right across the street from our hostel. Everyone was even more buzzed and on the way there Russell for some reason picked me up like a potato sack. When we got to Imperial there was actually a line up and we had to pay cover like $5. The hotel was packed, and they had a huge outdoor patio in the back as well. I guess there was nowhere else to go so everybody just goes there. I tried to buy the French boy a drink because he's bought me a couple but he kept declining and kept buying me more Jim Beams. At one point we met this group of girls when we were sitting out back who were probably just as drunk as we were, and one of them just grabbed me to go dancing with her and we were like besties for the night. I left around 2AM because I was getting really tired while the rest of the guys stayed behind.Next morning everyone who went out was hung over. The apprentice Aussie came out with his sunnies on, much more mellow than the night before. Didn't see the French boy, figured he had to work. A few girls that I haven't met showed up at our hostel, and apparently they were all there for the Jackaroo school. I took a relaxing day. Went to the main street in the morning and was gonna try to find that job agency but nothing seemed to be open, figured it was a Sunday. Was gonna go to Aldi's but ran into Katrin and we had sushi together at the food court. Sushi in Australia is weird, and expensive. They have maki rolls, but not cut up, so you eat it literally as a roll. Then I found out there was WiFi at the food court. So Katrin went to the public swimming pool, and I went back to grab my Mac so I can start planning my trip after the Jackaroo school because we won't have any reception there. I was there till pretty much dinner time when I finally went back to the hostel and started packing. Then French boy came knocking on my door. He said he's been looking for me all over because he was gonna take me to the job agency but it's closed by then. I didn't know what time he got back. probably should've gotten his mobile number.
Later on that night a few more guys showed up for the Jackaroo school. One guys said he did an 11-Day school, I didn't know they have that. Then when I was having my late dinner I got to talk to this guy who's a refugee from the Middle East. His story was fascinating and hard to hear. Apparently he travelled all the way from his home country to Australia on his own in the most unconventional ways. He hasn't seen his family since he left and he was telling me about life back home and it was heart-breaking. People there basically have no rights.
Next morning the Jackaroo school will come pick us up at 9AM sharp, so gotta be ready! Also I ran outta food, but Katrin said I could have some of her wheat-bix for breaky tomorrow morning!
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