life in nimbin

Blogging... riiiiiiight.

Yes, Yes... it’s been quite a while hasn’t it?? Thought I forgot about you didn’t you?   I assure you, I do think (quite frequently in fact) oh shoot (perhaps thats not the exact word I use) I really need to blog!!  And yet there always seems to be something else to do....

What is it that I have been doing for the past four months?? Well, lets see...

I have been living in Nimbin which is a tiny little town near the east coast of Australia (a couple hours south of Brisbane).  The main thing this town is known for is it’s “alternative lifestyle” (euphemism for “lots of dirty hippies who are really stoned most of the time”).  I quite enjoy my conversations with the people here... sustainable living, permaculture, alternative medicines, and other things that are a little more... sideways.... are very popular around here... what I mean by "sideways" is that it is not what you would expect to come out of someones mouth when you start a conversation... you'll be speaking to someone about the weather and then the conversation goes... a little sideways... I have heard many things and I don't mean to pass judgement on any of them, or the people they came from.  I enjoying hearing different theories and ideas, and I appreciate and respect anyone who doesn't just go along with popular belief and follow the status quo just because it's comfortable.  Anyone who thinks "outside the box" is going to be laughed at (didn't we all think the world was flat once?) so who am I to say what is rubbish and what has merit... not to say that I subscribe to these theories myself, but I appreciate the possibility of things that may seem silly at first.  Some of these interesting theories include the ancient alien theory (aliens came and built things such as the pyramids and spliced our genetics with their own to make what we currently call homo sapiens)... conspiracy theories around the purpose of a monetary society (it’s all a rouse to keep us in line, and things such as 9/11 never really happened)... the apparent ability we all have to stop our body from aging (a women told me that she will never age past the look and health of a 27 year old because of meditation... she did look pretty good for 38...)... Obama is really Osama, astrology is real... and many, many, many more equally interesting theories.... At the very least, these conversations are a great exercise on having an open minded view on other peoples beliefs  (which can be difficult when someone asks me if I have seen any fairy's while gardening today... yes, fairy's hang around gardens... I really wanted to ask what these fairy's look like...are they little women with wings? or more like specs of energy? I didn’t know how to phrase it without sounding patronizing... so alas, I will never know what the fairy's in the garden look like)

no big chain stores in this town, and they are proud of it!

this is one of my favorite locals... always expect something interesting from him!

Clearly, these last four months has been starkly different than my previous months of traveling... for instance, I don’t even remember the last time I was intoxicated.  Nimbin just isn’t conducive to a full-on party-hard lifestyle... everyone lives on “Nimbin time” which means things happen when they happen, and however they end up happening.  People go to sleep early, wake early, and generally have a quiet and fulfilled existence.  However, there is a certain culture in town that is more... how shall I put it... psychedelic.  I choose to spend most of my time in the hostel, it’s a beautiful and relaxing place where I have more than enough time think about what I’m really doing with my life ("growing up" is not happening any time soon), learn new skills (I have been practicing poi), make things (mainly jewelry and crocheting hats and such things), and I have been reading a lot.  Thanks to my wonderful mother I now have thousands of books on my kindle (best. purchase. ever.  seriously, I have THOUSANDS of books to read.... THOUSANDS!!! If I ever want to know anything about anything, I probably have a book on it!)  So I have been learning about things that interest me, recently I have been reading about the history of monotheistic religions, the evolution of human sexuality, and different multiverse theories.

my favorite spot under the fig tree

teepee!!!

There is also lots of fun things to do around here... I live in a hostel (Nimbin Rox YHA) so there is always people around.  I love it because there are a few of us that are here longer term (doing what I'm doing) some that are here for a month or so (working for accommodation) some guests who stay for a few weeks, and some people who come for a day or two.  There is always someone to hang out with and something going on.  I have my "rox family" which is ever changing :-)  My favorite thing to do is go out on our "date night" ... We recruit as many people as I can to go to the movies (and it's the coolest little theater ever!!! They always play really random movies, there is great pizza to eat, an intermission and lovely puddings to have, and a warm fire to sit by) or go into town for drum circle (people gather on the street every Friday to play whatever instrument you fancy, dance around, or just sit and take in the atmosphere) oh, the pub is nice to hear some local bands playing (every thursday, friday, and saturday there is music) even just wandering around town in and out of shops, maybe having a coffee is a fun saturday afternoon adventure!

roasting marshmallow

the first "date night"

some of the family

drum circle

And I work.  I work and work and work.  I work 55 hours a week (all 7 days) between reception at the hostel and as a farm hand.  30 hours a week is unpaid, in exchange I get accommodation, food, and a second visa in the country (you need to do 88 days of regional work to stay for a second year).  That job has really gotten me out of my comfort zone.  I help build fences, clear trees, feed and tent to horses and chickens, harvest fruit and nuts (and then bake yummy things with them), do garden maintenance, and any other random job that needs doing (cleaning, pressure washing houses, painting, small home renovations, etc, etc).  My work at the hostel is for about 25 hours a week, I really enjoy that job.  I get to check people in and out of the hostel (which means I just get to chat with other backpackers), ensure that the people working for accommodation are doing their jobs properly (which I hate, I really dislike telling people what to do), do some minor cleaning and laundry, and basically hang out and be available when guest need things.  That position isn’t paid very well ($15 a hour, which is very low for Australia) but I don’t mind, I like what I do and I have still managed to save $3000 (go me!! whoda thunk I could actually save money!!!).

This time in Nimbin has been much needed, it’s easy to get caught up in “backpacker culture” (crazy behavior that's a direct result of not having to be responsible or deal with any issues that would potentially arise from “bad” behavior).  I am quite happy to settle down for a while to ensure that I am headed into the direction I intend.  But, it is almost time to go.  Another few weeks and I will say goodbye to my Nimbin family and head in a new direction... where am I going?? I’m not sure.  Who am I going with? No idea.  How will I get there? Haven’t thought of it yet.   I have some possibilities in mind, ones that range from the next few months to the next few years (none include heading back to Canada) but I shall leave those ideas for another post... this one seems to have extended long enough for the time being.