So the Origin gas saga continues… gas was scheduled to be turned on yesterday. No time was given, not even a range. Just have to wait all day for them to show to read the meter. This is because the gates are locked to access the property so I need to be able to let the meter reader in. Ugh
At 10AM I asked Jim to call to pinpoint a time frame at least and so glad he called. They were never even coming out but just did not bother to let us know! So exasperating… It’s a really convoluted system here. I just learned that the electric and gas are never actually turned off as it is controlled by one utility distributor. So you must set up a new account with a retailer, not the actual distributor. The previous tenant had Energy Australia but moved out and never paid the final bill so if we wanted to go with them, we were going to be on the hook for their balance owed!
On and off the phone all day with several different retailers has been dizzying to say the least. Jemena (gas retailer) told me that the gas was on and I only had to turn the knob under the sink to get it going. (It’s these little things that can make you mad when moving to a new country. =:- O )
Yay, finally have cooking gas at least and could smell it a bit but did not think much of it as it quickly dissipated.
Toward the end of the day, Jim & I met up at the library, our sanctuary, to use the computers and borrow a few movies. From there we stopped by “Billy Barry’s Hotel” for dinner – fun place! For those who are wondering, all the bars here are called hotels.
http://www.billybarrys.com.au/
“The word “Pub” is used in Australia to indicate a bar, also known as “the local”. They are often called “Hotel”, the reason for this dates back to the days that licenses only allowed pubs to provide alcohol to traveling public, the presence of a few rooms ( who might never be used) then gave some impression that the rules were being followed.”
http://www.amazingaustralia.com.au/pubs.htm
We then arrived back to our apartment around 8:15pm to discover the entire apartment smelled like rotten eggs – a catastrophic explosion waiting to happen!! We immediately turned off the gas line, opened all the windows and sat across the street in the park for a good 30 min. We emailed the landlord to call us ASAP. We then headed back inside once the gas has cleared out and went to bed. Lakis (our landlord) called 7:30 the next morning and sent Ivan the plumber out to check the gas connection. Sure enough, there was a major leak coming through and could have blown up the entire building. Needless to say, we were livid over the lack of accountability on the part of our landlord and have considered taking legal action.
For now, it’s good to know we are safe and I can finally cook!
Words of the Day
baby = bub
trunk (car) = boot
I think most people might have expected that we would be settled in quickly with our new lives here but honestly, it’s been a pretty rough start. We’ve been in our apt for a week and still no fridge, gas to cook or internet access. Without a car it’s very difficult to get around to buy the essentials and set up house.
We moved into our new digs on a Friday and Jim flew out the next day to teach in Tokyo so it’s been a bit challenging for sure. His trip this week was bad timing but this will be the nature of our new life here, lots of travel and adventure! The first time traveling to Japan was eye-opening for Jim. Japan is a very clean, pleasant and conservative country. In a professional setting, they have a tradition of exchanging gifts with their guests. So Jim bought some very nice, high-end chocolates to give to the consultant of the company, in exchange they gave him a bottle of Japanese black raspberry wine called Bokbunjajoo. Haven’t tried it yet but looking forward to it.
I discovered the library in North Sydney, an oasis and refuge for wireless internet access where I’ve been able to catch up with emails and bill-paying. Amazing how much problem-solving can be done with an internet connection! Also checking out second-hand stuff for sale on Gumtree, like our Craig’s list. Yesterday I bought a local phone to be able to make local calls as needed and started to coordinate the utility hookups.
The utility companies are difficult enough back home to deal with but now in a foreign country, it has been exasperating. I tried to connect with one, Origin, but I was not getting anywhere with them.
Update: We also finally got a refrigerator, yay, no more coolers full of ice! Decided to rent one for only $19/month, alot less hassle. And after several days of no cooking gas, EnergyAustralia finally turned on the gas and I cooked my first meal using the oven’s stovetop, voila, beef and veggie stirfry!
Love our new neighborhood. Took a walk along Lavender St. at dusk, this place is beautiful, day or night.
Finally, it’s worth noting that even though we are living in an english-speaking country, we are quickly learning the many different Aussie words and phrases that take on a whole new meaning. So with that in mind, each day I will write a word or expression at the end of each blog post. Then all my readers will learn Aussie too. And if you happen to be Australian and reading this, feel free to offer any corrections or additions that I overlook! G’day Mates!
“Good on ya” = good for you
Our new fridge
Our side gate to Lavender St. w/ the beautiful city skyline across the harbor.
Today I discovered the largest bat I’ve ever seen and it was hanging from a power line. Never a good thing for sure. Poor thing was dead but since it was hanging upside down and that is normal behaviour for them, I wasn’t sure for a few days. After some time it was pretty apparent that it was deceased, a victim of a rainy night flying, sadly they fall victim to electrocution too often.
Fascinating creatures, there are actually three species of flying-fox found in Sydney. And, no surprise, I learned they are Australia’s largest bat. They are also very important pollinators and seed dispersers for the health of the fruit trees and forests. Unfortunately they can also wreak havoc in people’s gardens here and many people view them as pests and disease carriers. Like all animals, even humans, bats can host viruses and parasites, however, only one person has ever died by the lyssavirus here and the Hendra virus has never been contracted by anyone through a bat yet four people died by contracting this virus from horses.
Here’s a close-up of the dead flying fox. For days I watched it hanging, wondering when it would finally fall and hit the sidewalk or some unlucky person below. Unsuspecting runners, walkers and brides with their bridal parties would walk and linger under the tattered animal.
In the end, what is one’s misfortune in life becomes another’s dinner as this sulphur-crested cockatoo demonstrates or at least attempts to prove.
