Hi, faithful readers. This is Christine, John’s older sister. Chatting with John yesterday, I heard that he had an update planned. However, a camping adventure in the jungle seems to have stood in the way. Let’s try to be patient and understanding, shall we?

In the meantime, I suggest that there be public clamor for more stories about the jungle flora and fauna–especially the strangler fig. The strangler fig rocks, but you need to hear about it from teh John.

6-17-2007 

So, I left Oregon on Fathers’ Day.  After having spent the night at my sister’s house in Portland, I was driven to PDX where I boarded my flight to LA.  But first, a few words on what I think about the whole “really obese people should buy more than one ticket” debate…They most certainly should.And now, to continue my story.  I had the good fortune of being seated next to the window on the right side of airplane, so I had an assured view of the ocean while landing in Oakland.  Notwithstanding this outrageous fortune, the gentleman who seated himself next to me weighed approximately 350 pounds.  After spilling a full third of the way into my seat, he promptly decided to fall asleep while leaning against me and snoring.So there I was, window against one cheek and drooling obese guy against the other.  C’est la vie, no?Anyway, landed in Oakland, transferred flights and sat next to a sweet older couple (I learned my lesson) and landed without ado in LA an hour later.  Michelle picked me up, and off to her apartment we sped!6-18-2007 

Met Liz Blankenship and Michelle’s roomies last night, and Nathan dropped by this morning.  Good to see him again!  It had been almost 2.5 years since we had last seen each other, so that was good.  He hasn’t changed at all; still same ol’ Nathan.  Good man.  Good pirate.

So he and I helped Michelle move to her fabulous new house, then off to the Outback Steakhouse for dinner.  Mildly ironic, no?  Especially considering that, REGARDLESS of the fact that I was flying to Australia the next day, the freakin’ waitress wouldn’t give me a discount!  What a gyp. 

6-19-2007 

Finished unpacking Michelle today, bought coffee with Liz and Nathan, and waited.  Saw Nathan off around 1:00, then left for the airport avec Liz and Michelle around 1:30.  Arrived at the airport to find the entire international terminal completely evacuated and roughly 3.7 million police officers swarming hither and yon yelling indistinctly and generally making themselves look really, really, ridiculously important.  The effect, however, was completely lost on us, mainly considering the fact that Michelle’s flight was set to depart in two hours.  Notwithstanding the general state of “emergency” (which, no doubt, constituted an abandoned cell phone or tube of toothpaste somewhere in the terminal), Liz and I kicked Michelle to the curb and said “good luck!” then quickly drove off in the general direction of the beach, laughing our heads off. 

Not to worry.  Michelle’s flight left a mere 55 minutes late.  And Liz and I got to enjoy Manhattan Beach to its fullest in the ensuing several hours that I had to wait for my flight.  Huzzah!

6-20/21-2007 (Damn you, international date line!) 

Got on the plane to Melbourne last night at 11:00.  After a moderately uneventful flight (which I believe to have been an event in itself!), we arrived in Melbourne 14 hours and 45 minutes later.  I sat next to a wonderfully conversational Aussie named Simon who was more than glad to tell me his life story.  Fascinating bloke.  He sells boats.  And he has a pet Blue-ring Octopus!  Another of

Anyway, Melbourne airport was heaven after having spent freakin’ 6 hours at LAX.  Did you know that they haven’t done any major construction at LAX since 1984?  The place is antiquated beyond all reason.  But Melbourne!  Ah, glorious Melbourne!  Very stylish, nice fixtures, clean bathrooms, and free wireless.  And the people that work there are soooo kind.  It took the customs guy right about 32 seconds to send me through.  I guess that I just don’t look that terroristical (terroristy? terroristatious? terroristifying?).

Anyway, arrived at O’Reilly’s at 4:30 pm after a long drive up a very winding mountain road.  I hadn’t even had to time to brush my teeth before I had been introduced to the HR Manager, the GM, the CFO, and the entire kitchen staff.  Wonderful, wonderful people.  They fed me dinner in the dining room as a special treat.  I had the smoked haloumi as an appetizer followed by a medium rare Scottish fillet the likes of which I’ve never tasted before.  I think that it was actually made out of a real Scotsman!  Then, after not much ado, off to bed.

6-22-2007 

So, I diligently set my alarm last night for the correct time to get up, but I accidentally switched the am and the pm on the time on my clock.  Consequently, I was 15 minutes late to my first day of work.  Yikes.  They all understood quite well, though.

So, yeah, I spent most of the day walking along the trails (or “tracks,” as they call them) that I will be guiding folks along.  Saw Moran’s Fall for the first time.  A small creek near the resort cascades about 120 metres down this cliff a few kilometres from my apartment.  Quite lovely.  I get to take a bunch of kids there tomorrow. 

These people are crazy about their food!  It’s amazing!  They get breakfast at 8, morning tea at 11-ish, lunch at 12.30, afternoon tea at 4, and dinner at 6.  After dinner, it’s quite customary to spend at least an hour and a half at the bar upstairs having appetizers and, of course, beer.  They are quite proud of their beer, and with good reason. 

I had to complete lots of paperwork today and learn how the Discovery Centre (DC) works.  It’s quite basic, and it cruises right along with O’Reilly’s mission statement, which is to “Make every guest feel special.”  So, essentially, when I’m working in the DC, I sell different guided activities to the guests, make myself available to answer questions and, more often than not, joke around.  It’s quite fitting for my personality! 

Hey all!  I will post a big journal entry sometime this afternoon, I promise…  Gotta go show guests how to apply leech repellant. 

Hey everybody!  These are my semi-embellished, enthusiastic, and utterly jealousy-inspiring chronicles of my adventurous travels the world over.  This site was created with you in mind, so be sure to read as much as your like and comment as you see fit.  Happy travels!

~jack!