Rude wombats and leaving Aus for Christmas

The big Christmas tree in the centre of Melbourne

Two months ago I was sat in an internet café in Bali, whiling away some time looking at flight deals on the web. I came across one from Sydney to New York over Christmas at a pretty good price. Not thinking much more of this than perhaps to give it a surprised ’huh!’, I mentioned it briefly later when I spoke to Angela (my girlfriend), and joked that I could come over to see her for Christmas. It was brought up when we spoke again, and became less ‘wouldn’t it be good if…’, and more ‘should we do it?’. As is the way with these things, the day I went online to book it, the deal had gone. Luckily we both have amazing parents who wouldn’t want to see their lovely children unhappy, so with lots of help from Mr and Mrs Nyhout and Johnson, I’m heading off to Canada on Tuesday - to return to Sydney mid January. So I get to have a proper white Christmas instead of one on the beach with a BBQ (and of course I get to spend it with someone special!) I can’t say I’m too disappointed missing out on the sunny Christmas - like all the other British people I’ve met recently, I have to say that I don’t feel remotely Christmassy yet. The adverts are on, people are talking about it; but I’m just not feeling it.

All the nativity stars together for the final scene

I’ve finally made it out and about with my camera - so I’ve got a few photos of Melbourne at Christmas. My favourite thing is the window display at the department store, Myer. Apparently it’s traditionally a big deal, but I’m not sure if it usually contains the sort of thing that it has this year - a nativity play, but with Aussie animals (though spiders, snakes and crocs are noticeably absent). The story centres around ‘Wombat’, and his attempt to find a role in the nativity play - Possum has already shotgunned the role of Mary, with the Kangaroos taking the 3 Kings, and the Koalas the Shepherds. Clearly the casting director must have been high on the job, as it is only in the penultimate scene that Possum points out that no-one has taken the role of Jesus yet. So, wandering past this scene, you are given the fairly bizarre sight of clothed animatronic marsupials, re-enacting the birth of Christ.

Flinders Street Station - the historic train station in the centre

Last time I wrote, I’d packed in the door-to-door job, and was just about to start work at a call centre (another job that only financial desperation would force me into.) It actually wasn’t all that bad - and I got a good few weeks work out of it. It was at a company that gave information to shareholders in various companies - I saw myself as a bit of a Charlie Sheen - in Wall Street type character. But without the sharp suit and mountains of cash.

Wombat attempting to be the Archangel Gabriel. Unfortunately, he was too heavy...

In the past couple of weeks I’ve seen the first familiar faces for a few months - Nina and Andy. Had a really nice week catching up and getting fed the much-hyped Tanner risotto. And today, another meeting of note - finally caught up with Murph Jr, Tay, Colly and Erin for lunch, and a chat about their travels. It was great to catch up girls, and I hope the rest of your travels are as much fun as they’ve been up to now. I was delighted to see Murph Jr waking Murph Sr up in the middle of the night to speak to me on the phone - though, ideally, this would have been done on a week night. Murph Jr also informed me that the Wombat nativity play has been slightly controversial in Melbourne, as apparently it’s a bit too sexual - the animatronic animals look, to certain strange observers, as though they’re humping each other. Hmmm.

Oh yeah - the Ashes. Can’t say I’ve been enjoying it that much so far. The only thing that brought a smile to my face - apart from KP’s superhuman exploits, was when Warne was picked up on the stump microphone calling Bell ‘the Shermanator’ (as in American Pie).
So, I need to get off to start packing for my next international travels. I set off from the hostel on Tuesday at about 7:30am, and I’ll finally be with Angela 2 ½ days later when she picks me up from Buffalo train station. So, I’ll hopefully be writing my next entry from Canada. I’d like to take this opportunity to wish all my family and friends a very happy Christmas!

written by

olliejohnson on December 17, 2006 from Melbourne, Australia

from the travel blog: A man from Cockshutt.

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I'm coming to Canada too! I'm bringing Pablo and Manuel along, but we're leaving Bruce and McGuigers behind. Please try not to lose us in the snow. I'm hoping I might meet a nice girl mouse in Canada-- I hear Canadian girls are pretty great. I'm looking forward to maple syrup, moose, and ice hockey and am practicing saying 'eh' at the end of every sentence. I've forgotten to do it in this comment though. so.. eh..

Love,
T-Dogg

written by Trevor M on December 19, 2006

hello young oj,

basically seems like you've been gone ages now, and even though there are other people i havn't seen for longer think you might be at the top of my most wanted list. have a good christmas, and don't forget that it is not a good idea to turn up in canada with no canadian money, no map, and no idea where your hotel is. especially in the francaphone bit.

rich x

written by Rich on December 21, 2006

Hi Ollie

After a very busy week leading up to Christmas, I have just managed to catch up with your blog, (although obviously we have managed to have a good chat on Christmas Day, when I didn't have the nerve to acknowledge this :-) ). I have spent a few years with Christmas in the sunshine during my early life and I confess that it wasn't quite the same for me - but I guess it is what you are used to that makes it so special (not to mention who you are with at the time). I am sure that Murph would have been delighted to talk to an old housemate whatever time you called - and his sister would know that! Better watch who Zoe, Tom and Ben know might be interested in calling you! I hope you have a special time over in Canada and add some more nice photos.

As always - Dad

written by Old Man of Cockshutt on December 28, 2006

Reverand Johnson,

I realised when I text Murph Snr to wish him a happy birthday that I had shamefully forgotten all about yours 18 days earlier. So I thought I'd get straight on the case and wish you a happy birthday now - a mere 56 days late. Oh well, that's about 308 days less than Murph(R) is likely to take...

Very much enjoying hearing about your travels, though I missed the bit when the enigmatic Angela joined the equation. I'm sure she's just lovely.

Take care old buzzard.
Tim

written by

Kelleway on December 28, 2006

Mssrs Murph (R), Kelleway (T),

Thanks to you both for your comments thus far on my blogs - I've been unsure up to now as to the correct protocol in replying to messages on these pages. So, naturally, I haven't bothered. Thought it was about time I began a new trend though, so here I am. Rich, as you will see, I've returned to Montreal - this time amply supplied with local currency, map, and directions to the hotel. I even brought along my own Canadian just in case. Bizzarely, it wasn't even remotely as cold as it was those strange few days when me, you and Parish were here last - lost, frustrated by our stupidity, and confused. And even (some of us) handsomely moustached.
Many thanks for the Birthday wishes Quell-Gay - I would also like to send my belated ones to you. Much love, Rhymes

written by

olliejohnson on January 9, 2007

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