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03.06.10 NZ - Queenstown finding somewhere to live
I know it's been a while but I've been busy making progress. We stayed at our original backpacker place Bumbles till 29th May. Bumbles had a great atmosphere and there were massive bean bags to lounge on in front of the heater and a huge flat screen TV. The bad point was that there was only 1 kitchen shared between 50 plus people and we all wanted to burn toast at the same time. The communal areas were gorgeously warm but the bedroom was freezing and sleeping in pyjamas, a fleece, socks, wrapped in a blanket with a hot water bottle under a duvet was getting a bit much so seeing as we were out on our ear as of 29th we decided to look for a place to live.
Easier said than done I'll have you know. When we started looking we thought we would just find a flat or house share so we started going through the local paper. It was looking to be about $220 pw plus bills but 7 houses later I was getting a little disheartened. We bumped into a guy at Bumbles called Sam. He was also looking for somewhere to live so it widened our options and we started looking again. I found the most amazing place in the world, fab views, choccy leather sofas, brand new everything but that was the problem. We thought we wouldn't be able to touch anything in there and would never get our deposit back so it was out of the question.
So me, Adam and Sam were on the hunt and arranged to look at place for $340 per week for 2 bedrooms but the 3 bedrooms was only $20 dollars more. I figured we'd rent the 3rd room and save loads of money! On our way back to Bumbles to tell Sam the good news we bumped into a couple who were staring in a rather distressed manner at their phones and the brand new highly sought after Lakes Weekly Bulletin. Along comes Angel Hannah and invites Paul and Ayumi to come look with us. The place was great and we wanted to take it. Unfortunately so did the other 10 people who viewed it at the same time as us. We started scrambling to complete paperwork, get references and think of tactics to secure the apartment. Fortunately it all came together after we offer a bit of money under the table. Very excited, you can check it out on Google it's 6/716 Frankton Road, Queenstown. It is 3 bed, split level kitchen and bathroom, muted colours, chocolate sofa etc. Really pleased but it's not ready until 16th June so we still have to find somewhere to live for the next 2 and a half weeks. Fortunately I found a place called Pinewood where we all moved to from Bumbles as it was half the price!
So we're all relaxed thinking much of the hard work is over but it's only just begun. There is no work as although the first mountain range opens 7th June the season doesn't really start until the end of June when the Winter Festival begins. Because of this nowhere is hiring and so we have struggled to get anything. However we have managed to get a few interviews between the 5 of us.
Sam is a sponsored by Rome and managed to get a job in 2 days in a shop doing tuning which was impressive. He lives in Colorado so he is a yank but you can't have everything!!! Sorry Sam!!! Paul and Ayumi have got interviews in a café and a restaurant. Adam had an interview in a hotel but they wanted someone to stay for a year and as for me I have 2 interviews It's very competitive and I'm sure my shoes got me one of the interviews because the guy told me he'd had 150 CVs! Check it out, it's called Queenstown Park Luxury Boutique Hotel. My interviews are Friday and Sunday so fingers crossed. Everyone we speak to is looking for work and getting nothing, it's pretty depressing.
We bought our season passes for The Remarkables and Coronet Peak and the first range opens on Saturday. I'm really excited and looking forward to Sam teaching me the moves.
We've been out drinking and had some cool food but it's not cheap here at all. We have New Zealand bank accounts, tax numbers, all the gear and no idea. Sam has bought a car and Paul and Ayumi have a camper van so Adam and I are thinking we won't bother with a car we'll just have to blag lifts for a bit cos we only get parking for 2 cars at the house.
Spoke to Mum and heard the great news about Aunty Toni's salon looking so fab and being called Boo. It sounds pretty cool. Well done. I also heard the terrible news about the Cumbria Killings. It's all very shocking, I can't really believe it. My thoughts are with the families of the victims.
So I promise to keep in touch, much love to everyone xxx
- comments
Penny Hi both, keep trying you will find jobs soon. Love to you Mumxxx
Carole Atherton Hi Adam your dad gave me your card so I thought I would write you a message. The places look fabulous which you are visiting , I hope you and Han gets jobs soon. Your mum and dad are visiting your nan and grandad so we just popped in for a chat . Have a lovely time and I will write again soon . Carole X