It's been a while...

Well. I suppose I have waited long enough to update you properly.

Although I fear there isn't too much to tell.

Unlike India I am not travelling liberally. In fact I haven't really been travelling at all. I have remained in Freo since July and I can hardly believe so much time has passed. In India everything was so cheap that you could happily move on to the next place you fancied on a complete whim and find a 250RS place to stay and enjoy it for as long as you wanted. Then I realised the whole world doesn't come at discount prices. Food alone pulls more money out of your pocket than 2 Indian nights accomodation over here. So I am treading carefully.

In fact I have been putting money in my pocket. Working. As a waitress on a water front restaurant (Joe's Fish Shack... oh the glamour) And as an au pair. At work (JFS) I have been given the nick name 'Mary'- Mary Poppins. As my English accent, borrowed button up jacket and other job lend themselves rather nicely to it... of course I am also known as 'Wasabi', quite fitting since another colleague is known as Sushi (Yushi) and, by my manager, 'Breena'. But they all have nicknames in return, I call my manager (Drew) 'Droopy'. And there is so much ease and banter that it is hard not to enjoy it- even if the work itself is a bit tedious at least you can talk about it!

For once I can honestly say I love Mondays- why?- because after the busy weekend including a busy restaurant and Fri/Sat/Sun night drinks you can slouch in on a Monday and get away with doing very little at all but serve a few customers- achieve tips because you can stand around and talk to them- and of course discuss the weekend you probably all attended whilst making yourself coffee and consistantly checking the outside area to catch a few beams. I'd like to point out that after the weekend we deserve Mondays.

And so that is what I would call my job because I would not call being an au pair a job. Even though it is far more stressful and way and beyond more tiring it is one of the best things I have ever done in my life. I mentioned before that I was looking after 4 boys (yes, I'll say it again FOUR) and yes, they are hard work at times but, honestly they are amazing. All 4 are beautifully unique and special in their own way and each and every one of them will break a million hearts by the time they're 20. How one couple can produce 4 fantastic people is unbelievable to me. Finn and I sometimes dance together- he's 11 and currently attending contemporary, Jazz, break dance, ballet and hip hop classes... I teach him Hairspray he teaches me how to flare and windmill (you tube it!) needless to say I haven't quite got the knack yet, and to be fair he hasn't quite achieved my standard of jazz hand... ha. Then Gus with his long eyelashes and sea green eyes, his long winded stories and cheeky smile, his laugh and his struggle with himself would endear every person to him; Magnus who farts all the time and pulls the funniest faces, laughs at the silliest things and readily gives the best hugs in the world... and finally little Iggy with the cutest genetic make-up, bubbly energy and an eagerness to learn and improve at everything when I leave for work Iggy Pop shouts my name, runs out of a room to give a big hug and a kiss goodbye.
We read Harry Potter every night possible- not only is it an excuse to put my acting to work (voices, sound effects, the whole works) but, of course, its another excuse to read Harry Potter... again. Some days even when I get home at 3 or 4: "Sabi, Harry Potter" "Can we read Harry Potter?" "are you working tonight? No? So we can read Harry Potter?"

How can you call all that a job?

Okay so I wake up at 7.30 or earlier every morning, okay so my room gets checked out while I'm away, okay so the minute I get home I am dragged up to the trampoline, okay so I am constantly having my back jumped on and farts in my face but really... I have a dance partner, interesting people to help guide, kisses goodnight and goodbye and... the best hugs in the world. All under one (very comfortable) roof. And I haven't even got around to mentioning Ferg and Lisa who have really looked after me and made me feel at home the moment my foot crossed the welcome mat.

It has been a truly magical life living in Freo for every opposite reason that India claimed magic. India: rich in culture; steeped in history; filled with wonder. But of course was often unfriendly, intimidating and hard work. Australia: lacking culture; history and wonder but instead filled with warmth (not just sunshine, although that helps), hospitality and familiarity and a real ease of life. It's hard to believe that I have saved the money I have as, really, I could do this forever for (well almost for...) free.

But now I have to look forward and to the train the journey on Sunday to Adelaide, prepare myself for the hostel life, hope I can join someone driving across the great ocean road, find family and friends in Melbourne, look forward to Sydney, and of course away from this simple life, the wonderful friends I have made from all over the world (I chuckled to my self when I realised the best of them have been French, American or Israeli...). And I struggle with the need to say goodbye to them, and to the boys and the home I have created with them. I have to and will come back to this place- it is all to ingrained now, this love.

First few weeks in Australia

Hi all,

Well... I have touched down as most of you know!

I made it to Perth where I was collected by the wonderous person who is George, my busy second cousin (my Mum's cousin) and made it back to hers. She lives in Fremantle, just south of Perth, and thank goodness for that. I have a funny little feeling I wouldn't have hung around Perth for very long. Freo is the more chilled out coffee bar and museums kind of a town. Very child friendly and somehow seems bright, airy and happy. Perth reminds me of central East London. Huge glass buildings owned by banks and big companies casting shadows on the well threaded 'to-dos' walking through the hustle and the bustle. There are some good museums and there are certainly little gems to be discovered amongst it but to live... no, no.

SO George as I say is wonderous: she introduced me to all her friends (or so it seems! I feel like I have met a lot of people!) A lot of them other mums. George has 3 fantastic kids: Oscar 9-10, Priya 7-8 and Abby 5-6. Oscar is a little genius and they all go to an alternative school where you can choose and create your own projects.... Oscar recently did a project on AIDS, he made a child cry... Pria the feisty middle child who doesn't miss a thing and I love her for that and Abby is cute and curious with these huge eyes that penetrate yours if keep contact.

They were really fun and funny though and I was sad to leave their house. However I only left because George had made my unemployment known (to the whole of Freo it seems!) And one of the mums,it turned out, wanted an au pair... well here I am, tapping away at the computer in their GORGEOUS house with four, yes four, boys to look after as of tomorrow. Finn, Gus, Magnus and Iggy. All of them totally unique and individual I have a soft spot for each already!

And so I feel myself easing into this lifestyle. Very laid back and easy. Very happy and warm and genuine. I can see what it is people love about Australia and why you would want to raise your kids here. It is a wonderful balance to India in a way: the perfect place to regroup, re-centre and contemplate.

I do miss India and I say I'll go back but I wonder if I will... If it has taught me everything I wanted it to or if it is only a surface that got rubbed. There is of course so much more to see there and rediscover. And yet so many other places the world around. Ah... guess I'll go have a coffee, put on my uggs and read outside with a coffee and a tim tam.

G'day.

Sabs xxx