Gumtree and a dash of luck

Two Wednesdays ago I found myself running out of options. The Couchsurfing website was down and the place I was crashing at was no longer available. Chak would be arriving soon and most places didn't allow couples in a room. Perhaps it was finally time to find a hostel and spend some money. I had been riding on my luck for way too long.

Melbourne, city centre

But a quick email and a desperate text message proved me wrong. Someone was subletting her room for 6 weeks while she went on vacation in Europe and Africa. She had found a guy to take over but he suddenly vanished and she was leaving the next day. However, I still had one more night before I could move in. On Monday I had met Will the Botanist when he organized a trip to the Cranbourne Botanical Gardens.  3 days later I found my finger hovering over the send button on my phone. It was late, last minute, and I hardly knew this guy. I closed my eyes, turned my head away and pressed send. And Will the Botanist, being the generous wonderful plant-loving guy he is, agreed to take me in.

Red sand at The Cranbourne Botanical Gardens

Cranbourne Botanical Gardens

Cranbourne Botanical Gardens

Cranbourne Botanical Gardens

Mosquito net, wombat, blending in with the locals

I dragged my 60 L backpack a couple of blocks and found the key in the mailbox that my new housemate had left me. There is no better feeling than to come home, home being wherever I'm staying that night. I share the house with two other people, Michael who works at a bakery and Ashley the lawyer. My tiny home is awkwardly designed, with parts added on over the years and furnished with more couches than anything else. There is a small garden in the back with overgrown vegetation, a barbie, and a fire pit. Nothing matches anything. I love it.

My house!

Before I move on in my story, let me tell you a little about the area I live in. Brunswick is awesome. I live between two busy streets that are lined with cafes, restaurants, shops, and bars. There's a huge Greek, Italian, Mediterranean influence in the neighbourhood. Old Italian men sit all day in some cafes drinking beer and coffee. Rooftop bars, quiet bars, beer gardens, live music.. you name it. The thrift shop here is better than The Bay. I live among the hipsters.

Brunswick Town Hall

Sydney Road, Brunswick

Further towards the city is the suburb Fitzroy. On the weekend it's like Granville Street crammed into one tiny block (and with more drunk people).

Brunswick Street, Fitzroy

Now that I was back to paying rent, I had to find a job asap. I took the first thing that I got: working as a cashier at the South Melbourne Market. The market features a huge selection of fresh produce, meats, dairies, organics, and restaurants. The atmosphere is great, the pay is shit. But hey, my boss makes me breakfast and milkshakes, and the old Greek couples in the neighbourhood love me. Transportation here is a mess and way too expensive for my under-the-table paychecks so I bought a bike. I ride about 90km each week. My ass burns every single time.

Within 2 weeks I've managed to find a job, a house, and a bike.

How do you do it? People keep asking me.
Well, I respond, all a girl really needs is gumtree and a dash of luck.