There’s something strange about experiencing summer during months you’ve otherwise known as winter. On the other hand, here in Sydney is the first time that I am witnessing the earthy colors of autumn in the months I’ve associated with spring. Rain and humidity have gradually given way to warm sunny days with a cool breeze. A new discovery of mine is the Café de la Fontaine – an adorable little slice of Paris just a short walk down the street from my hostel. It is an enjoyable place to come to journal or edit photos while I sip a coffee and people watch.
Across from the café is the El-Alamein fountain, which I visit on a daily basis. The golden leaves bring new character to the charming brick flats in the background. Sometimes I bring my tea here in the morning and call my mom or my sister while staring up at the fountain. There’s something about this spot that reminds me of the comforts of home. I suppose wherever we travel it is valuable to find a place like this. For me this fountain is a sanctuary.
Work has been quite busy these past few weeks. I recently introduced myself on a Facebook group for string players. To my surprise, within two days I had three gig offers. I was only able to take one of these gigs due to my restaurant schedule – but I got to enjoy an intimate wedding ceremony in the nearby beach town of Manly. This gig was really special, as I’ve never been paid to play on foreign soil. It was particularly refreshing to play with other musicians after doing restaurant work for weeks. It reminded me that I did indeed train my whole life to play music!
I find it ironic that my last post was all about how I’ve found happiness in Sydney. It’s not that I’m suddenly unhappy, but things have been a tad chaotic and I am constantly trying to make sure I make the best decisions. A big realization in the past few weeks has been that I am actually making less money than many other backpackers I know who are doing similar hospitality work. It begs the question – am I more interested in having ample time to explore? or do I care more about saving?
Speaking of money, Australia has a pretty interesting wage system. Most weekend workers receive “penalty rates” – or increased income on Saturdays and Sundays. On public holidays employees expect to make nearly double their normal hourly wage. In addition to part-time and full-time positions there is also “casual” work. These employees are actually paid higher hourly wages, but aren’t guaranteed regular hours. Most backpackers wind up with casual jobs, which are better geared for people who come and go and for those who have multiple jobs.
I currently work part-time at Little Jean restaurant/cafe, which does not pay the weekend penalty rates. Living in a giant hostel with tons of backpackers comparing job prospects and sharing wage details has not surprisingly made me frustrated with my own wages. To combat this I will soon begin working additionally on a casual basis for a hospitality agency here in the city. The work is very flexible and shifts can be accepted or declined through an app. The shifts are primarily on the weekend, so I can take full advantage of the penalty rates.
Amidst all this work-stress I have still managed to get out and explore. On a recent afternoon I took the train out to the hipster neighborhood of Newtown. I had visited on my first trip to Sydney in 2020, and coming back made me realize just how little I had seen. It got me thinking – my 2020 memories of Sydney seem like childhood memories. They exist in snippets through a few photos, but are also compressed in my mind by the overwhelming events of the pandemic. Now that I live here it feels incredible to fill in all the gaps.
Now that I’ve been here for over six weeks I’ve started brainstorming possible goals for the future of my working holiday. I imagine myself being here in Sydney through at least the beginning of June, at which point I hope to have saved a considerable amount of money. I want to put part of my savings towards a Southeast Asia fund, and the rest I will reserve for onward travel in Australia.
I am not exactly sure where I want to go after Sydney. To apply for a second year visa I will need to work in hospitality or on a farm in a remote part of the country for a total of three months. I am not 100% sure a second year here is what I want, but it would be nice to have the option to stay or come back at a later date. After a year I could travel Southeast Asia or Central America, or even move to New Zealand to take part in their working holiday program for a while. Whatever the decision, I want to embrace the freedom I have to paint this trip however I please – and I’ve accepted that it probably won’t be a straightforward picture.
Next Up: WHV Australia Part IV “Finding My Balance In Sydney“
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