This is the sweet double decker bus right by my tent--- also check out the TP that my friends live in! COOL!

pics

Hello.

Things have settled down quite a bit here in Byron. I decided to stay at the campground/hostel that I first stayed at for a long time. There is a camp ground here with amazing people and international diversity like I have never seen before. I had a shitty 3 man tent that I couldn't even lay straight in at first. Four days ago I bought a 6 man tent that is huge and awesome! I have a bed, and a bamboo book shelf that I built a couple days ago. Got some candles too. Haha, yes.

I am working about 25 hours a week at a cafe which is plenty of money to get by each day. Before it gets too hot in the days I usually ride my bike out 30 miles out through the valley into a hippie town called Mullumbimby. Really beautiful ride. Other than that it is hanging out, going to the beach, starting to learn to surf and lots of reading.

I have some pictures to put up soon but I have to get the camera. Erg. Miss you all.

New Bike!

My beautiful new Orbea AOS. She's Spanish, and ideas for names?

I finally dished out the cash and got myself a bike for Byron Bay. There is no public transportation here, so everyone either walks or rides their bikes... EVERYWHERE. It is awesome. Big fat bike lanes line the streets and stretch out about 15 miles out of the town. I got this Orbea touring flat bar road bike for a couple of exciting reasons. First, I need a good bike for exercise and transportation. It was either that or buy a car. But the more exciting reason is the prospect of doing some serious touring with Tara in a few months. We have both committed to training and getting to a point where we can ride 80kms a day. I have looked into the top cycling routes, and I am pretty excited about The Great Ocean Road near Melbourne. http://travelaustralia.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=144222 for info. I am going to get the saddle bags designed for the bike and be able to carry everything I need to transverse the great Southern part of Australia. But that's a few months from now.

The roads here are nice. Smooth new pavement with excellent climbs winding around the cape, and always along the ocean. Within 10 miles out of the town, I can bike through 2 rain forests and along the Beach Road with unbelievable views.

In other news, my 'job' is a little wishy washy. They are so damn laid back that its almost unprofessional. It will be cool to work there because of that, but trying to get my first shift has been a mess. It has been a week since I got the job, and still no word on my first shift. BAH.

I've moved to the camp site at my hostel. It is $10.25/night vs. $20/night, so its a pretty huge savings. I am trying to find housing still. It's very hard to find something in town that is priced right. I have been told by other people that were in my position months ago that I should expect to wait a month or so until something good enough comes along. Its a tiring waiting game. My hostel is bad ass though. Its like college all over again. Everyone just hangs out all the time + there is a nice pool and hot tub.

Doesn't look like the US economy is doing to hot. It is even the talk of the town here.