Bananas make me appreciate moving to the UK

Trip Start Sep 19, 2006
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Trip End Ongoing


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Flag of Australia  ,
Monday, July 24, 2006

Earlier this year Cyclone Larry devastated northeast Australia, destroying most of Australia's banana crop. Because of Australia's strict quarantine laws, we can't import bananas, so they've gotten ridiculously expensive.

This morning I gave in and bought a banana for three dollars, the first I've had in six months. It was a perfect banana. I must have been craving potassium because cost was no obstacle, I had to have it. It was great.

At least I have something to look forward to eating in the UK.

Ian's still waiting for the British High Commission to process his visa - meanwhile flights have doubled in cost. We're looking at $2000 for a one-way flight. I'm proposing we just book online and skip the travel agents, because it will be so much cheaper. I do like the idea of having someone who knows what they're doing sort it out for us, but it appears that most travel agents don't have much of an idea anyway.

I have booked international flights myself previously, albeit only in Europe with Ryanair. And actually I'm not too good at that, once I booked flights in the wrong month and ended up paying more to change the dates than I would have just to not show up and book new tickets. We're both a bit stressed at this point about the flights situation. I'm confident he'll get the visa in time to leave... just not in time for sensible preparation.

I've started applying for jobs. Based on the advice of several people who have done the UK working holiday thing, I've decided to go for professional jobs straight up, rather than farting around doing temping work and travelling wherever possible.

I figure if I'm in a role where I'm really appreciated I'll be able to negotiate extra holidays anyway, and I won't hate living in miserable wintry England.

I applied for a couple of editing jobs and got responses from the recruiters within a day. Even though I'd said in the applications I was in Australia until the end of August, they wanted me to do in-person interviews and start before then. So we agreed I'd call them when I arrive to see if there are similar jobs going. Not as good as having a job lined up, but promising nonetheless.
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