A Solo Travellers Mind

When I arrived back to sydney, it was fair to say I was very tired and very sad. The post holiday blues had hit harder than a freight train…
So in true Emma style, I decided the only way to concer this was to take a hike. Me and Sarp decided on the Karloo track, a short but very pretty 5k leading to a pool. It’s winter officially still in Sydney, so the water was pretty chilly, but it was well worth it, and it lifted my sad frog spirits slightly. The next day, I was heading back to Newy for a couple of weeks before I returned to Batemans Bay for a contract. With 11 weeks till a fly to Thailand for a family holiday, and then another 5 after that till I leave aus, I needed to get some graft in over the next few months so make sure I have enough pennies to last the 10 to 11 months I’m planning to have off work (extreme I know but let’s not discuss this, I’m an optimist in terms of my travel plans). Luckily for me, Rhonda, Jo’s friend who owns a flat in Newcastle, said I could rent the flat again for a few weeks while it was vacant. That flat is a pure luxury, and I’m very blessed to be able to stay there for only slightly more than what I would pay in 4 bed hostel dorms across the road!

I arrived on Friday, and after a day on the train and doing all the things needed to settle myself for the next week or so, I relaxed and prepped myself to go back to work. (Un)Luckily for me, my Saturday shift was cancelled (the joys of agency work ay), so Saturday also turned into a very chilled day. I’d had many weeks away from netflix, so I decided that a netflix day was in need, with 1 series of the good doctor to go! It did sorta feel like a wasted day. However, I also think I may have needed it, after many days of being constantly on the go (at least this is how I’ll justify my lazy actions). Sunday it was back to work, with the back to work gitters quite real, having been travelling for 2 months and then on contract for the 2 months prior to this, it had been a long time since I stepped foot in the newy hospitals. Luckily for me, the shift went without a hitch, and it was a nice day to ease me back to reality, with Sunday pay too. I can’t complain too much, hehe. Ethan (my old housemate, cast yourself back a year lol) kindly came to collect me from work, and after a good chin wag, the changes of the last 6 months were revealed. Turns out it’s been the season of breakups! Now single together, we decided a week of silly pants on was needed for us both 😅

Monday I went back to work at the public hospital, unfortunately the shift was cut short when it was discovered I’d been away for so long that I was no longer on the system lol, I won’t complain too much, I’ll get 4 hours pay for the 2 I worked as compensation for the mess around. So I headed home, hit the gym, and had a relax. That evening I went for food with Michael, while away some of the issues of being friends with an ex arose (I suppose I was nieve to think this wouldn’t occur), and I think I’ve learnt now that two people can only be friends post break up, if both parties have progressed and moved on. It’s a shame, but it’s also not fair to accidentally hurt someone whenever you post silly things on your instagram (what a 21st century problem).

Tuesday I had a planned day off, the gym was visited, the beach was sat on, it was a nice day (and NSW actually had good weather this week!). In the eve, Ethan visited the bachelor pad, some cans of 196 in hand. An evening spa followed by an evening full of giggles before it was time to call it a night (up late on a school night).

Wednesday was a success in holiday mode, but not so much in work mode… I may have cancelled my shift (we don’t all have the luxury to do this, and I don’t do it all the time sooo it’s okay, right). Instead, I spent my day running errands, and at the beach, the tan was being topped up! Me and Ethan went for a sunset swim before bailing on the swim to retreat to the bachelor pad (the ocean do be a little chilly at the moment, its ‘winter’ after all). Learning from our mistakes the previous night, it was not a late night. Is young, wild, and free but needs at least 7 hours sleep a vibe?

Thursday, I headed to work for a glorious 12-hour shift. You don’t really do these in aus, but once you’re at work, you may as well stay there, lol. The shift was crazy busy, and the only moments I got to sit down were at the very end, but we powered through in the name of the profession. Ethan came to collect me from work and a very spontaneous activity occurred. I, at the ripe age of 25, ‘drove’ a car. Admittedly, I only got to 20 kph. However, I turned left and right, reversed, and even drove on a road and not the car park for approx 50 meters. I wasn’t as bad as I was expecting, but I was still pretty bad… a bit heavy on the breaks, lol 😆 

When I awoke on Friday, after a grand total of 4hrs sleep I suspected the day would be a difficult one. But I was proven incredibly wrong. I arrived at work to be greeted by the easiest shift I’ve had in a significant amount of time AND an early finish! Sometimes, the gods know! With the sun shining, it was time to head to the beach, ensuring the tan stays! This was followed by a session in the gym, short but sweet, better than nothing! The fun continues with a particularly cold evening dip, with the one and only, you’ve guessed it, Ethan!

Saturday was an exciting day, with some silly pants on activities planned! However, first, I needed to work. A quick 6 hours back at the public hospital. It was a very busy shift to equalise the peace and joy from the day before! Me and Ethan headed to the gym, sneaking me back into my old gym! It’s changed a lot, and it was very weird walking in and nearly hitting a wall that didn’t exist when I was last there. Our evening began at home, with a couple of games of dildo, teaching Ethan the most amazing game in the world! Then we sat and attempted to get Oasis tickets… my phone and ipad simply didn’t function however Ethan’s phone by some fucking miracle on earth did! So we sat in a queue of 80 thousand people and magically I secured 2 tickets for me and carley 3 and a half hours later!! So we can thank Ethan and his electronics for being able to see the greatest band on earth! Our night continued, bar hopping, playing some games, and finishing with a skinny dip. What a Saturday!

Sunday was a very tired day, with only a few hours’ sleep. But we semi seized the day with a morning swim, an afternoon of naps and giggles, and a sunset stroll followed by a Sunday dinner and ice cream, basically the ideal end to the week I won’t lie.

Monday involved a sunrise, a meeting with a tax man, some netflix, and some serious organisation of my suitcase, once again packing up to prep for my next contract! Dinner was spent at the pub with a friend, catching up on life’s dramas before I headed to Ethan’s to say goodbye for a wee while as I now needed to go make some serious dolla bills!

The next day, I headed back to Sydney to collect everything I owned from Sarps house. Sarp would be moving house soon, and my stuff needed to be gone. Luckily, Josh agreed to take my belongings for me! They’d stay there till I returned from contract and relocated them for when I leave aus! We had a lovely catch-up and then a dinner of Thai food. What else does one need in life?

These last few weeks post holiday have been incredibly good. Life continues to surprise me (in all the best ways) ❤