A smash of a week

One week down in Hobart and it turned out to be a bruiser.  Our move to TAS had been going smoothly, so it was about time that we'd encounter some difficultly - which all seemed to happen in one week.  Rob arrived home last Monday afternoon and soon thereafter, Greg, Alicia and Griffin came to our house for afternoon tea.  Just as they were leaving (a brief but delightful visit), Alicia discovered a parking ticket on her car and Rob's car (which I had parked on the street the night prior).  A $100 fine!  Did I know I could not park at that spot on the street?  No.  The sign on the street in front of our house had a capital S with a line slashed through it.  Literal translation: No Standing.  Tassie translation: no parking.  Greg and Alicia know this parking sign but decided to park behind my car anyway because they were only stopping in for a cup of tea.  A $100 cup of tea.  Yet another Australian road lesson learned.

Now to explain my delay in blog postings or emailing in general; our Internet and phone service stopped working at the house.  Unable to determine what was wrong from our end, we called the service provider and after running some tests, our company assured us that a service person would come to the house to investigate the problem.  We lost connection on Wednesday afternoon and our service wasn't restored until today, Monday.  Luckily we had our cellphones.   Just one day prior to losing home service, we walked into the Telstra store (our mobile provider) and changed our phone plans to save on our monthly bill since we had established home phone/Internet service.  I don't know what our first month's bill will look like after six days of heavy usage but I am grateful to have had some connection to the outside world.  While in the Telstra store, we parked our car at a meter and just as the meter expired, a very not-so-lovely meter maid was ticketing us for an expired time.  We were literally walking up the car as the meter maid walked away.  Another $35 going to the city of Hobart.  Ticket number two in just two days.

This does not complete our bad car-ma (karma) for the week.  On Saturday, Rob and I had our first car accident.  Australians like to call car accidents, car smashes... so we smashed our car.  No one was hurt, but my Loris (the Mazda Tribute I'm primarily driving) is now in the smash repair shop for the next two weeks.  This is what happened... Our driveway is very, very steep.  With caution and ease, we are able to park both cars in the driveway and off the street (parking ticket central).  When I say, "we are able to park", I mean, Rob is able to park in the driveway.  I have only been parking on the street because of how steep it is - don't judge until you see the pictures... So Rob, as wonderful as he is, has been parking the cars.  He does this by reversing the cars down the driveway.  On Saturday, Rob had parked his Hyundai already and was easing Loris down "the mountain" when he thought he should realign the wheels by driving slightly up the incline then ease back down into the spot.  What he forgot, just ever so briefly to do, was place the car in drive... he left it in reverse, hit the gas and went flying back (on the downhill), slammed on the brakes, hitting his car and the wall behind the driveway before coming to a stop.  Good Grief!  All three of us were frightened and stunned for a minute.  I was standing along side the driveway and Maggie was in the car with Rob.  Rob feels absolutely terrible for making such a silly mistake, but that is what insurance is for...  We have both cars insured, only my car needs repair, thankfully.

At the top of the driveway, looking down, down, down...

Margret sitting pretty, to give a perspective of the steepness from the bottom of the driveway

The driver's side door is dented and scratched
It's hard to see but the door doesn't close properly because of the dent

Maggie assessing the damage

The damage to Rob's car, scratching of the bumper and head lamp.

Like busy bees, we spent the week getting settled in our new home and becoming familiar with Hobart.  We've had to do some repair work on the home we are renting, and although a cleaning service came to the house after the previous renters vacated, it still really needed a scrub.  Rob tackled the bathrooms while I pulled everything out of the kitchen for a cleaning and reorganization.  Our dishwasher was broken, the door to our washer was broken, our back gate was broken and several light bulbs were burnt out through out the house. These things have since been repaired by our rental company during the last week.  Rob and I have purchased new furniture, unpacked, moved in and I even made my first batch of chocolate chip cookies with my Kitchenaid mixer.  We had Greg, Alicia and Griffin over for dinner so I made cookies and a small cake the night before.
Now, our oven looks cool but is not the most accurate when it comes to temperature.  I have a temp gauge in the oven to better direct my baking but I under baked the cake anyway and when I eased it out of the baking pan- it smashed onto the drying rack.  Smash cake.  Rob and I ate the done parts (the edges) and tossed the smash cake in the trash.  The next day, after our dinner with the Stanton family, I hand delivered some of my chocolate chip cookies to our neighbor next door.  Neighbor Phil had knocked on our door twice to inform us that we were leaving a set of driveway lights on during the night.  We took care it,  after figuring out which light switches worked which outdoor lights.  Then after our trash wasn't collected on Wednesday, Phil saw me outside and told me that we overfilled our trash can.  I had already called the trash collection company (enquiring if we needed to set up a payment and was informed that our trash can was simply missed the day before) and the rubbish was removed later that day, just as full, no drama.  Neighbor Phil informed us that he was retired and so he is always around.  I believe him and to show him a bit of kindness, thanked him for his help with cookies.  Hopefully he liked them.

Just a short side story this last week... I went to the nail salon to have a much needed pedicure.  I don't know if this is normal for Hobart, but for a pedicure I was directed to a room, sat on a massage table while the nail technician worked on my feet.  Usually you sit with several other ladies in a nail designated area.  Just as soon as I opened my mouth, she realized I was an American and was very curious with the American lifestyle.  During the hour, she rapid fired me questions.  Just as soon as I finished answering one question, she had another one in the queue.  It was almost endearing to have someone so interested in our culture when I have been working on the Australian culture.  Examples of her questions and my answers; Her: have you seen any famous people? Me: Umm, not really.  I saw Arnold Schwarzenegger at Disneyland once but that's not too exciting.  Her: do we eat potatoes in America?  Me: Yes.  Her: Why do we wait until we are 21 to legally drink alcohol?  Me: I don't know.  Her: do people under age drink alcohol anyway? Me; Absolutely.  Her: why are people shooting or blowing up people in America?  Me: I don't know but it saddens us just as much as everyone watching.  She was a sweet gal and I enjoyed the conversation, especially since I was just answering questions.  She did ask me for an example of something that is present in TAS but not in the US.  I told her we don't have meat pies in restaurants, rarely in the supermarket and in general, people don't make them at home either.  She was amazed.

Maggie has decided that she likes Hobart much more than quarantine.  She seems exactly like her old self; the loving, gentle, sweet pup that she is to us and everyone she meets while walking.  It seems like her appetite is improving as she is eating all of her food again.  Rob worked night shifts all last week so Maggie kept me warm in the bed at night; but this week, she is demoted to her bed on the floor.  There is a forest reserve a few blocks away from our home and it allows dogs off leash to exercise.  Maggie loves going up to the reserve and we've met some nice dogs and owners in our walks.

Walking on a path in the reserve where Maggie is free to roam

It's fall here in the land of TAS

Back at home. Maggie is not sleeping, she is just resting her eyes.

This past Saturday, I went to the Salamanca Market here in Hobart.  This market is year around, has artisan crafts, food, gifts and music.  The Salamanca Market is a treasure in Hobart Town and I really enjoyed walking along the many tents.  I did pick up a few gifts, Tasmanian honey, tea and fruit.  However, the food is something to talk about.  I arrived hungry and within 10 minutes, I was eating a slice of mushroom and olive wood-fired pizza.  Then I had to try a danish donut because the Danish know how to make good donuts.  And before I left the market, I ate a nutella crepe.  I'll be back next week.  Then on Sunday, while Rob was napping from working a night shift, I met Greg, Alicia and Griffin at a local farmers market.  Once more I bought a variety of local mustards, veggies, sweet treats and enjoyed lunch with friends at the market.  It is lovely to walk the market with friends.

Salamanca Market entrance with map

Despite it being chilly and a little rainy, a lot of people were at the market

There is still some settling and work to do with the house this week but we are winding down.  Rob and I even enjoyed our first Tasmanian date night in town last night.  We have four weeks until our destination wedding and in the meantime, I'm glad not to stare into my suitcase for a change.  This is our new home.

At Last!

I type this post, lying in bed with my Mac on my lap and a shorthaired, Rhodesian mutt heavily snoring beside my legs.  Maggie and I are finally home in Hobart.  Tonight, Rob is traveling aboard the Spirit of Tasmania to ferry over Loris (my car) and just about all our Australian/American possessions are packed into the SUV.  The ship will dock in Davenport tomorrow morning at 0600 and Rob will drive from top to bottom of Tasmania to rejoin us.  We will be a family pack once more.  This feels good.

Rob driving onto the Spirit of Tasmania

Let me briefly recap this last week in Melbourne.  Rob left early Monday morning for Hobart to work five days.  Between his shifts, he continued to do whatever he could to make our rental house into our home.  I greatly appreciate the setting up, fixing and cleaning he completed.  He shopped at the local pet store to be certain that Maggie was set for pampering upon her arrival.  Maggie and I entered our new home to find a very plush bed, bountiful treats and new toys… for Maggie and to my great surprise- a gorgeous, gently used, dark purple Kitchenaid stand up mixer on the counter.  I had lamented to Rob that I would miss my Kitchenaid mixer from home when it came to baking and cooking here.  I received my mixer from my parents in college.  In my family, it’s considered a rite of passage to finally have your own Kitchenaid.  They are durable, pricey and incredibly heavy- so it did not make it over to TAS.  This kitchen feels like my kitchen with the mixer sitting on the counter.  Rob also prepared an assortment of chocolates and white wine to welcome me home.  He knows me well.

Isn't she lovely?

I spent my final week in Melbourne exploring the city.  I took the tram into downtown Melbourne four out of the seven days last week.  I spent one day at an outdoor mall, shopping.  Another day I walked up and down the main streets (Collins, Burke, Elizabeth, Flinders, Queens streets), shopping.  I spent another day at the Immigration Museum located in the old Customs House (circa 1876) in Melbourne.  This was an interesting day as I learned a lot about Australia’s history.  The museum was divided into many sections that explored the topic of immigration.  For example, while one section of the museum briefed me on Australia’s history, another section explored why people have migrated to Australia (adventure, refuge, reunion with family, opportunity, or financial relief) for so many years.  Another section of the museum gave insight into what people once had to endure when traveling overseas to get to this country.  A special exhibit featured a current and strong migration of people out of Dublin due to financial woe.  Migration is always happening somewhere in the world.  Finally, there was a portion of the museum that examined our prejudice to immigrants and how to eradicate it.  It was an introspective exhibit that had you examine your own culture, prejudice and promote acceptance.  Pretty enlightening.  One little fact that I learned (to my disappointment), a person’s accent can be influenced up into their twenties but after that, it’s unlikely to change.  Looks like I wont sound like an Aussie after all- darn!  I also learned that school kids these days are incredibly tech savvy.  There were several schools of children visiting the museum with me on Thursday.  They all were in uniform, most likely middle school children, carrying workbooks to complete museum assignments to turn in at the end of the day.  And they were equipped with iPads.  While I stood, probably in the way, reading the exhibit pieces, they were crowding around me, snapping pictures with their iPads and running off to the next section.  God bless teachers in this ever evolving, high tech world (which is ruled by Apple, btw).

Walking along the streets in Melbourne; this is an entrance to mini shopping malls

There are shops and boutiques to the left and right

A few of my favorite things...
Chocolates and a pooch

If you try to steal anything, that statue comes alive and flies after you with his sword

I'll have one in each color, merci!

I get the feeling that someone is watchin me

Notice the legs spell "walk"
Mmm,hmm and I was walking

Which one is actually real?

The old customs house, now the Immigration museum

No photography allowed inside, supposedly

Our final full day in Melbourne happened to be my birthday as well.  Rob flew back one last time on Friday night and we spent part of my birthday (Saturday) at the Melbourne zoo.  We have been in Australia for four weeks and I still hadn’t seen a kangaroo and, I was determined to find one before going to Hobart.  There are no kangaroos in TAS, just koalas.  We also had an opportunity to see a live Tasmanian Devil- check out the pictures below.  You can’t help but feel like a kid when visiting the zoo, so it was a good place to spend a birthday.  After the zoo, Rob and I had dinner in the city, a Mexican place called, “Mamasita” and the food was excellent.  Thank you to friends and family for contacting me on my b-day.  It made a big difference on my day.

It's like I'm 10 years old again- excited!

Well I can't believe my eyes!  Finally a kangaroo in Australia has materialized!

Chillin like a... boss

Do you see the Tasmanian Devil?!

We didn't either.  Apparently, they were sleeping. Best time to see these buggers is during feeding time.

A koala sleeping in the tree.  These little guys sleep up to 20 hours a day.

Yesterday was my birthday and today was Maggie’s freedom day.  Rob and I both slept restlessly as we anticipated picking up Maggie.  We arrived at Spotswood at 0920, early for a 0930 release and waited one last time behind the barb-wired fencing for our girl.  Once the gate opened, we rushed in, signed at the dotted line and practically ran to Maggie’s rescue.  I snapped on her collar and Maggie went crazy with excitement.  Then we got the f@*$ out of Spotswood.  No long good-byes, just thanks for keeping her safe- now peace.  We stopped at McDonald's and Maggie got not one but two bacon, cheese, egg McMuffins… well, she looks so thin… We then took Maggie to a park close to the airport, gave her lots of petting and lots of ball throwing.  When it was time (too soon!) we drove Maggie over to the freight/live animal loading site at the airport and Rob, not I, guided her back into her crate for a one hour plane ride but a three hour total crate up.  Greg and Griffin were kind enough to meet me at the Hobart airport and assist me in bringing Maggie home.  Greg’s car was large enough to fit Maggie’s crate while I drove Maggie and I home in Rob’s Honda.  Greg and Alicia also gave Maggie and I a lovely home welcoming. They prepared dinner, dessert, wine, jams, bread and dog treats for us in a care package to have tonight.  Maggie and I both have been spoiled, err, well taken care of today. 

At the gate with Maggie's collar and leash- ready to free the best dog ever

Maggie hasn't had her collar on since we left the states.  This picture was taken right outside pen #69

Outside the wire fences!!!

Bliss

Looks like Maggie is driving the car, she is getting the heck out of Spotswood

Relaxed, smiling dog

To celebrate freedom day, we popped into a bakery and bought one peanut butter and jelly cupcake and a red velvet cupcake

Maggie had McDonalds

At the park by the airport
Notice in the top left hand corner, an orange ball flying
Notice a dog running at top speed
Notice not a wire fence in sight

Bliss

Welcome to Hobart, Doyle, er Maggs

Maggie's and my gift box from Greg and Alicia
Dinner with drinks, sweets, treats, honey and homemade jams

Bliss

More to come this week as we all have time together, at last in Hobart.  One more thank you- to all the Maggie fans out there, for offering support to us while she was caged up.  She actually seems much like her usual, pre-quarantine self.  I will be keeping a close eye on her to evaluate how she is adjusting.  Not too hard to do while she keeps the other side of the bed warm, smile.  Cheers!!

Absence makes the heart grow fonder...

Today is May 6th and exactly one month ago, Rob and I were enjoying our going away party in Colorado.  At that time, excitement and anticipation was running high as we set out to see the world. This is the last week I will be spending in Melbourne, that Maggie will be caged up and Rob will be traveling for work.  I think we all can agree, its time to be "home".

Now, I will not lie, I felt pretty lonely this past week. However, I expected to feel sad; I am a social creature and in my pre-Aussie life, I kept myself busy with friends and activities.  Having nothing to do was a shock to my system.  In the months before and for several weeks after leaving the states,  I was climbing into bed with a to-do list still on the front of my brain- it all seemed non-stop.  Then everything just came to a halt.  This past week, I have relished the quiet and open schedule and the ability to just relax.  I exercised, I talked on the phone, I made wedding plans, I shopped on the streets and on-line, I watched more TV than I have in six months and I finally cried over missing home.  Rob did his best to console me in between working each day.  His week went fast with setting up our new rental with gas, phone service, TV, Internet, electricity and light house repairs.  He also was invited to dinner by a new co-worker one night and on another night, he had dinner with the Stanton family.  When I picked him up from the airport, he was so happy to have two days off from working around the clock in Hobart and I was happy to have someone know me by name.

The running path I discovered near my place
Off in the distance, the city is in view

At the beginning of last week, I finally took time to read up on Melbourne and get excited about seeing the sights here.  Melbourne is a very old city (est in 1836) and its turning out to be very tourist friendly.  One afternoon I spent walking up and down the streets of St. Kilda, the precinct I am currently residing in this month.  St. Kilda is known for it's artistic and trendy vibe, the seaside community has a variety of shops, cafes, bars and restaurants to explore.  Like most eclectic places, people watching is quality entertainment here, free of charge.  I spent another afternoon walking a few blocks over to a busy shopping area, Chapel Street.  Many high-end stores line the sidewalks on this street and I enjoyed window shopping, only occasionally needing my wallet.  Back closer to our flat, I discovered a running path that parallels the sea and offers great views of the city from afar.  Then, finally, last Thursday I traveled into the heart of Melbourne city.  Being a country bumpkin, riding trams/trains/metros/buses seemed a daunting and scary prospect.  I packed my shoulder bag with a tram pass, three maps, my Nalgene bottle (of course Colorado girl!), extra jacket, umbrella, wallet and a rape whistle (I don't have a rape whistle but if I did, I would have packed it).  I took the local Yarra tram to Federation Square, the epicenter for Melbourne, boarded a free city trolley that encircles the inner portion of the downtown area and lastly rode the free visitor bus for a 90 min tour of the many sightseeing attractions that Melbourne has to offer.  You have one guess which attraction I sought first in my city venture... Queen Victoria Market... shopping, of course!  This extensive market is best described as a "flea market" but one of the nicest flea markets that I have seen thus far.  Clothing, shoes, souvenirs, bags, toys, crafts, fruits, veggies, meats, fish, chocolate, pastries, nuts, cheese... everything you could possibly need in one place.  For the first time that week, the hours few by as my eyes, ears, nose... mouth, took in all the flavors of the market.  Before boarding the tram, back to St. Kilda, I popped into the visitor center and pick up more info and was able to ask a visitor guide questions about the city.  This was so very helpful.

Queen Victoria Market
This structure spans out from both sides of this picture

On the side of Queen Victoria Market buildings, there is artwork  such as this pallet tree

Variety of Fruits

Veggies

Meats

Fish

Say Cheese

Nuts and Dried Fruit

Chocolates, blocks or truffles- I will not discriminate

This weekend, with a new appreciation of the city offerings and a proficiency in public transportation, Rob and I rode the tram into Melbourne and visited the Australian Centre of Moving Images.  This museum highlights live photography, movies, and their featured exhibit this fall is Hollywood Costumes.  Real iconic costumes such as Marilyn Monroe's white flowing dress, Audrey Hepburn's little black dress from "Breakfast at Tiffany's", the most recent Batman suit, Christopher Reeve's Superman costume from 1978, "Gone with the Wind" dresses, Dorothy's blue and white checkered dress and the actual ruby red slippers along with many more memorable costumes were on display.  Almost above every mannequin, fitted with the costume, there was a screen that had a projected image of the actor's face with a real-time effect.  They would blink their eyes or slightly tilt their heads, like they are looking at you while you looked at them.  Actors, directors and designers were interviewed in preparation for this exhibit and offered insight into the importance or personality of their costume/work.  For example, the costumer designer responsible for making Captain Jack Sparrow (Pirates of the Carribean) asked Johnny Depp prior to making his wardrobe, "Who is Jack Sparrow?"  Johnny Depp replied, "He is a rock'n'roller".  His costume was inspired by Keith Richards.  No photography allowed inside the museum so just take my word, it was an awesome exhibit.

Outside the Australian Centre for the Moving Image with Audrey

After the museum, we grabbed a light lunch at the oldest pub in Melbourne, "Young & Jackson".  The pub was established in 1861 and is located at the intersection of Flinder's Street & Swanson Street or hustle 'n' bustle & people watchin' streets.  Rob and I gazed out the picturesque windows as the street filled and emptied itself with steady foot traffic. We traveled back into St. Kilda and had a lovely date night to finish the day.

Just a quick update on our Maggie... She seems to be at her "quarantine baseline" as far as temperament is concerned.  She is always VERY excited to see me and wants to burst out of her pen to run free in the grassy area.  She constantly wants the ball thrown and I throw it until she is too tired or panting too hard and she takes a short break.  She tries to interact with the other dogs through the wire fences and I've seen her wag her tail at some of the keepers, as though she recognizes them as friends.  Last Friday, I gave her a pig's ear as a parting gift and she put it down on the concrete and proceeded to howl as I locked her pen and left her "block".  It broke my heart and I couldn't help but cry as I left.  I keep counting down the days to her freedom but sometimes, I just can't think about her being there.  Rob and I have an agreement that on Sunday, when its time to take her to the airport and crate her for her final flight to Hobart, I'm going to make myself disappear until she is loaded for departure.  I just can't say good-bye to her again, even if it's for three hours.  Rob is willing to be strong for the two of us.

This dog does not have rabies

But she will go crazy for a tennis ball

One last note before I post this very long blog... a story from Rob's first week at the Hobart emergency department.  After assessing a patient, the ER nurse asked Rob what he planned to do as far as care for the female patient.  Rob states, "She's a squirrel but we'll need to treat her".  Perplexed, the nurse asked Rob what he meant by "a squirrel".  Rob replies, "you know, a small furry animal that sits in trees and eats nuts (crazy)".  Nurse says, "we don't have squirrels here but we do have possums".  Rob thinks for a moment, "no, that's not going to work- she's a squirrel, get used to it."  We are trying our best to learn the Aussie lingo here but sometimes there is no equivalent.  

What?!  How did this mini chocolate cream pie from My Pie Face Bakery get into my flat... all the way from the city?  It's a mystery.