Feelin' Oh So Freo :)

I should have left Perth days earlier! I made my way down the coast to Fremantle- aka Freo, and I LOVE it! Perth sits inland on the banks of the Swan River...

The view of Perth from the water- the best way to see the city is definitely by boat.

but follow the river for twenty minutes to the shores of the Indian Ocean, and you will reach the port of Fremantle! I've been trying to put my finger on WHAT it is that I love so much about this city! Many people consider it the second capital of the state of Western Australia... it has the vitality of a big city, but the ease and unspoiled simplicity of a fishing village.

At one time, Freo was the major gateway into the country for travelers from the west. In the late 1800's it became a prominent working harbor. This height in Fremantle's history is evident in the Victorian architecture that makes up the city center.

It's just so pretty- I love the clean lines of the buildings that sweep towards the horizon, like lines to a vanishing point in a renaissance painting...

and the play of neutral colors and simple geometrical shapes that balance the ornate designs decorating the buildings.

Combine this with wide clean streets, crisp sunlight, a refreshing sea breeze, and the sounds of seagulls and soft waves, and I challenge you to try strolling down the street without smiling.

Although many people love the strips of boutique shops and quaint cafes, famous around the globe for their cappuccinos, in my opinion, the best part of Freo is the harbor- I have fallen in love with ships and the ocean. When I hear the waves breaking on the shore and smell the salt in the air, an impenetrable calm settles over me, so thick it seems to slow time and temporarily muffle the clamor of the rest of world.

My favorites are the old fishing vessels. I find the rusted metal and tangled nets beautiful... and I love the adventurous names printed on the hulls of the ships, clearly visible despite peeling paint; they speak of a time where the world was bigger and yet to be fully discovered.

The peaceful time warp that is Freo- the Victorian buildings, effortless beauty of the fishing harbor, and the unhurried pace- attracts travelers like flies to honey. I believe that people come to Australia for one of two things: escape and adventure... or to escape by having an adventure. That's why they like it here so much- life is wonderfully simple, and because Fremantle is still a major port, there is enough action in the city to keep you entertained. In fact, the Queen Mary 2 was docked in the marina the other day, just in time for the markets and festivals. It's HUGE!

I have a new appreciation for the crew of such ships because one of the jobs I've held since my arrival here has been a porter! The hours are long, usually 11-12 hours. I woke up at 4:30 to dress, eat, pack a lunch, and be down at the docks by 5:30, where we unloaded luggage from 7am-1pm and loaded luggage from 1pm-5pm.

Definitely my favorite job that I've held up to this point. It's long hours and repetitive work, but I like the physicality of it... I loved being down at the docks early in the morning and watching the ship pull in and the sun rise... meeting the happy people just returning from vacation (who were often in the mood to tip!) and the excited ones about to embark on their adventure... and who doesn't like neon orange??

At the beginning of this trip, I could barely lift my backpack without help. Since then it has become much easier. So I figured I could handle carrying baggage- they ALL have wheels!

Short-term work has been easy to come by here. I also worked at a motocross event, selling programs and light sabers, walking up and down stands and yelling like I was selling peanuts at a ball game. WORST. JOB. EVER. I was also one of those people that parents hate because when I wasn't patrolling the stands, I liked to station myself in the shadows of the buildings, slashing the toy through the air, so as to maximize the wimpy lights emitted by my plastic saber.

And finally, probably the most random job I will ever have- I cleaned monster trucks! I've never been that dirty in my life. If you ever go to a monster truck show, and notice how shiny the tires are around the rim out to the tread, just know that someone painted that on, just for your viewing pleasure.