It’s the beginning of week seven here in Marvel Loch and although I’m excited slash nervous slash a tad apprehensive about heading to Melbourne in a few weeks, believe it or not I’ll also be quite sad to leave this little place I’ve come to call home.
The next two weeks are sure to pass by in an unrealistically rapid fashion, and it’s with a heavy heart that I say I’ll miss this place – the people, the job, the experiences…
Even though the last fourteen days or so have trundled by in a bit of a blur, all days seeming to mingle into one, not much really happening (except for the consumption of a hell of a lot of booze and food) with no real structure or definite pattern, it’s been like a semi-state of nirvana – not quite real yet totally an idealistic bubble of a norm.
I’ve become so used to the way of life out here, so tuned to the pace, so attached to the people, that it’s felt like real life. But I know it isn’t; Marvel Loch has been a stop-gap, and I’m kidding myself in thinking that this kind of lifestyle could ever be something I permanently indulge in. For a start, I can’t get decent coffee without driving 30km and even then it’s debatable whether or not the coffee I purchase is worthy of the “decent” accolade; I’ve not heard new, up to date, quality music on a quality radio station for weeks (which is slowly killing me); and due to my mainly sedentary state of recumbence I’ve put on about 2-3 kilos and my clothes are tight – NOT what I wanted when summer is just around the corner.
In looking ahead to the future, I’m excited to get back into the swing of real life in Melbourne. I’ll have to go on the job hunt again and I’ll need to find a place to live, and all that means spending money, but it’ll be a challenge, and it’ll certainly be in stark contrast to how I’ve been living these last two months. And maybe with some routine and structure I can start planning and trying to find a way to stay in this magnificent country on a more permanent basis.
Because of the relative monotony of the last two weeks, I’ve not much to tell you in the way of adventure or gossip. I haven’t seen any more kangaroos (because I haven’t been running much – oops) and I’ve not even found any gold yet!! There have been a couple of highlights though (mainly involving getting to know a certain member of the opposite sex) and I’m hoping to continue getting to know this person once I’ve left Marvel Loch. Fingers crossed on that one. But aside from this, life in this teeny tiny town in Western Australia has been pretty cruisey.
With two weeks left out here, I’m gonna enjoy myself as much as possible. Life will never be like this again and I need to cherish the experience for what it is and what it has been. I’ve made some good friends in Marvel Loch, friends I hope to stay in contact with for a long time; and despite my initial doubts, the challenge of working somewhere this remote has been a good one, filled with fun and laughter. I would recommend anyone who travels and wants to save money to do something like this – it will open your mind and you never know what you might take from it in the end.
Now, without further ado, I’m off to throw away my stash of chocolate, reacquaint myself with a guy named gym and find out where all the fruit lives – annoying three kilos, you will be banished!
Chasing Amy-Lou 