Indian Ocean
I went swimming in the Indian Ocean!! That is so far the highlight of the trip- I wanted to write about it right after it happened, but I've been trying to restrain myself from using my hosts computer too much. I don't want them to think (I mean, realize) that I am addicted.
But yes, I walked to the beach yesterday (Friday) and found a "lifesaver" and went swimming. The water was very warm but it was also incredibly windy so my plan to lie in the sun and dry off and swim again was thwarted. I also didn't go swimming in a normal way because I've read so much about rips that I was nervous. The only people in the water were a few little kids, and they weren't going past the breakers, so I decided to be safe and not go out either. I just sat in the surf and ducked under a few times- but I think it counts as swimming. The current was very strong, but parallel to the beach, not out to sea.
I'm going to have a lot more chances to swim because on Monday I am moving to the Ocean Beach Backpackers at Cottesloe (the popular beach suburb of Perth). I was supposed to stay in the city, but it turns out that there isn't much of a city. The downtown is dead after business hours- stores aren't even allowed to be open past 5pm. And the "hip" area of Northbridge is less built up than Cambridge, as I mentioned already. Also last call in bars is MIDNIGHT! And I thought Massachusetts was bad! Not that I've been drinking at all. I'm still recovering, eating very small meals and being very careful not to get sick again.
Last night was my first successful dinner in a week. I went out with Nicky- the daughter of my dad's friend Andrew- and her husband. She took me for a walk around King's Park, which is an amazing place, bigger than Central Park for a city 1/8th the size of New York. Her apartment is also overlooking the Park, and is a ten minute walk from her office and you can walk outside without freezing all year round- not a bad deal I think. She was also super nice and hopefully I'll see them both again before I leave.
As for today- Today was my day to explore Fremantle or "Freo", a little "city" to the south of Perth. It was not a very exciting place, but I did buy myself a bowl (very impractically since now I have to ship it home) and I also took a tour of the historic prison, given by a dirty-old-man former prison guard. He kept asking young women to volunteer for demonstrations, like being searched and being whipped, which I guess was supposed to be funny, but I thought was borderline creepy.
I was dropped off in Freo by Michael, my host, but I was really hoping to figure out how to get back by myself. I wanted to conquer to public transit of this tiny city, but sadly I did not succeed. The first problem was that the bus I wanted to take didn't run on the weekend. Then I decided to take the train to Perth and catch a different bus. Well, I got to Perth and then couldn't find the bus station, and then I found the bus station and realized that I was going to have to change buses in some random suburb before getting on the right bus to my suburb, at which point I looked around and decided that I didn't want to wait in the sketchy bus station anyway or wait at a possibly sketchy bus stop for a transfer, and so I got in a cab. I think bus stations must be universally sketchy. Has anyone ever been to a non-sketchy bus station?
I got home fine in the cab and Fiona made us paella which was very good and we talked and watched some tennis and now I need to go before she realizes that I am an addict. Tomorrow I'm going back to King's Park for some more exploring while the Willoughby's play tennis. I might also have lunch with them and their son at the tennis club. Will I survive the encounter with posh country club people? Tune in next time and find out!
Love,
Emma
But yes, I walked to the beach yesterday (Friday) and found a "lifesaver" and went swimming. The water was very warm but it was also incredibly windy so my plan to lie in the sun and dry off and swim again was thwarted. I also didn't go swimming in a normal way because I've read so much about rips that I was nervous. The only people in the water were a few little kids, and they weren't going past the breakers, so I decided to be safe and not go out either. I just sat in the surf and ducked under a few times- but I think it counts as swimming. The current was very strong, but parallel to the beach, not out to sea.
I'm going to have a lot more chances to swim because on Monday I am moving to the Ocean Beach Backpackers at Cottesloe (the popular beach suburb of Perth). I was supposed to stay in the city, but it turns out that there isn't much of a city. The downtown is dead after business hours- stores aren't even allowed to be open past 5pm. And the "hip" area of Northbridge is less built up than Cambridge, as I mentioned already. Also last call in bars is MIDNIGHT! And I thought Massachusetts was bad! Not that I've been drinking at all. I'm still recovering, eating very small meals and being very careful not to get sick again.
Last night was my first successful dinner in a week. I went out with Nicky- the daughter of my dad's friend Andrew- and her husband. She took me for a walk around King's Park, which is an amazing place, bigger than Central Park for a city 1/8th the size of New York. Her apartment is also overlooking the Park, and is a ten minute walk from her office and you can walk outside without freezing all year round- not a bad deal I think. She was also super nice and hopefully I'll see them both again before I leave.
As for today- Today was my day to explore Fremantle or "Freo", a little "city" to the south of Perth. It was not a very exciting place, but I did buy myself a bowl (very impractically since now I have to ship it home) and I also took a tour of the historic prison, given by a dirty-old-man former prison guard. He kept asking young women to volunteer for demonstrations, like being searched and being whipped, which I guess was supposed to be funny, but I thought was borderline creepy.
I was dropped off in Freo by Michael, my host, but I was really hoping to figure out how to get back by myself. I wanted to conquer to public transit of this tiny city, but sadly I did not succeed. The first problem was that the bus I wanted to take didn't run on the weekend. Then I decided to take the train to Perth and catch a different bus. Well, I got to Perth and then couldn't find the bus station, and then I found the bus station and realized that I was going to have to change buses in some random suburb before getting on the right bus to my suburb, at which point I looked around and decided that I didn't want to wait in the sketchy bus station anyway or wait at a possibly sketchy bus stop for a transfer, and so I got in a cab. I think bus stations must be universally sketchy. Has anyone ever been to a non-sketchy bus station?
I got home fine in the cab and Fiona made us paella which was very good and we talked and watched some tennis and now I need to go before she realizes that I am an addict. Tomorrow I'm going back to King's Park for some more exploring while the Willoughby's play tennis. I might also have lunch with them and their son at the tennis club. Will I survive the encounter with posh country club people? Tune in next time and find out!
Love,
Emma
2 Comments:
sounds so lovely.... though i agree that bus stations must be universally sketchy.... the boston one is perhaps the best i've been in and even that... well... you know...
i'll email your mom later today about the website!
much love!
Emma, glad to hear you're doing better. I must admit that I haven't been reading your blog, but I intend to catch up on your adventures now and check it daily. CJ has kept me informed of your tribulations to date.
I'm jealous that you've swum in the Indian Ocean (that's going on my to-do list now). Sounds like you're having a great time all-in-all and letting your adventurous side come out (except for the bus station part--that was a cop-out).
Terence and I would love a postcard if you care to; our address is:
25 Old Mill Road, #3
Redding, CT 06896, USA
Finish getting better and stay well. Love, Travis
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