It has been a good first week. I think we surprised ourselves by getting the first few things sorted. There are so many little things to do to get engaged into the local systems. We had done a little bit of fact finding and getting the applications downloaded. First thing was getting the tax file number. As mine was done online only Paul’s had to be sorted. Checked out all the ID papers for Paul were together. As usual the passport, birth certificate (since Paul’s in British this would not do) alternate was citizenship certificate and a lease letter showing our address considering we would have no utility bills to show this were needed. Our friend was to provide us with the letter to confirm our address as he runs the estate agency.
The second day we took the bus into The Pines Shopping Centre. It is not far to walk but hey the hills make it hard for my poor legs. As our friend was coming to give us the lease letter we asked for a lift there. The post office told us that it was too small to process verification of ID for Paul’s tax number application. We would have to go to Doncaster post office. It was annoying not to get one thing planned for the day done. But since our friend was going to run us back home, we did a run of Coles the supermarket there for some essential food items like milk, porridge, bread, cheese, some nuts, a lighter as there are only matches in the house to light the cooker, some pak choi and pasta.
At home we filled the application form for Medicare. We can do one form for Paul and put me on to it as well. The additional documents needed were the usual passport and citizenship for Paul, my passport and visa letter, and the invoice from the removal company confirming that we were having our household moved to Australia. The office was in Doncaster Shopping Town. Well the application for medicare card was painless. The lady behind the counter went off with all the documents to show to her boss and retuned in a few minutes and said that ok, you will get your cards in about 3 weeks. The visit to the post office was a disappointment. After standing it what turned out not to be a queue for about 10 mins we got into the real one. Only to find out when our turn came that this also was not the right level post office. We had to go to Boxhill post office which was in another small shopping centre. AAhhhhh ……… So having stopped for a quick fruit juice we were back at the bus stop and strangely enough caught the same bus that we had come to Doncaster in for Boxhill.
Boxhill shopping centre is the site also from bus garage and trams and trains. The shopping centre has a main building with lots of food market and fast food places. The post office took about 5 mins to check ID… the man behind the counter was surprised to see such an old format of citizenship paper and asked from when it was. He got Paul to read the agreement and sign and that was it! By now it was lunch time and so went to a healthy eating place for a sandwich and some fresh fruit juice. Paul had carrot juice while I had a mix of watermelon and apple…. Strange but nice. After all this walking about my legs were giving up. \we would have liked to look at the food market and the fresh produce but it would have to wait for another day. Went back to the bus stop to wait for the 295 which we kind of just missed. However, while sitting about I noticed that there were other buses that went straight to The Pines and so we decided to be adventurous and go for the new route. Sadly I think we got the only bus that did not have a working AC… lol As we reached The Pines we again just missed the 905 which takes us home. From the bus stop there is a short walk which always when retuning home seems just that bit much, especially as some of it is uphill. Just had gnocchi and some stir fried greens for dinner and called it a day in front of the TV.
Friday the 21st we rang for a appointment at the driving license place and got one for the 4th Feb. Then we went to the city. Took the 905 to the city centre. Thought as we were going early so maybe we should go right to the end of line and have a walk about. Bad move!!!!!!! We actually needed to get off at Melbourne Central and walk two blocks to get on to Collins Street from Lonsdale Street. The bus enters the city centre and runs all the way down Lonsdale Street. We needed to go to lower end of the Collins Street and by going a few streets up from Melbourne Central we had a long trek back. The area is not flat as one might think. The block seem bigger as well and so all in all the walk that day would have covered a couple of miles. Checked out where our bank was and then went to find the job agency where Paul had a meeting. But before the meeting we had to find somewhere to have lunch. As we walked along Elizabeth Street towards Flinders Street Station we saw a small board saying OM Vegetarian restaurant. This is a small restaurant run by the Ghurkha Institute who are running some hospitality courses. The food is basic thali with a veg and dal, rice and nan along with some pickle. This is eat as much as you want for $6.50. We enjoyed the food a lot.
Paul’s meeting place was a test to find your way there we think. The Agency is on floor 30. When we get there they say recruitment lot are on 27th floor. There we get asked to wait and suddenly the receptionist remembers that actually today the gentleman is seeing people on the 21th floor! I think the idea is that if you can find your way to the right floor and office you must be keen to get a job and it is some sort of aptitude test. Anyways I sat and looked out on the beautiful view from the windows and rested my legs. After this we decided to call it a day and went looking for a bus. This time we got 908 which took us to The Pines via Doncaster Park and Ride. From there back on to 905 and the uphill walk home. I think we had picked the one day which was not so sunny but also very windy. So all in all I was cold and in need of some warmth desperately. It was not so bad in the sun and out of the wind.
The weekend was upon us fast. Since we had been out and about everyday and it was fairly warm on both Saturday and Sunday we decided to stay put at home. Had the joy of cleaning the house with brush for me and hoover for Paul as well as washing clothes. Oh the excitement of being able to dry the clothes on a line outside in fresh air! Paul is in heaven! ehehehehe
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