The Beginning of Journey, Hello Australia
- Angelina Adventa
- Mar 13, 2022
- 9 min read
Prolog
The day has finally come. My dream to have my own adventure, had come true. For all these years, I believe I need to do something with my life, rather than following a very usual line of life. Go to school, college, find jobs until it feels miserable to get the higher position and money as possible, then get a family. After my bachelor's graduation, I drew out the line from when I was a teenager until now. I believe what I trust or dream can come true and I can do it. Starting from when I was able to do research about waste management since High School, wanting to save animals and nature, until research for my bachelor degree also about waste management. Besides of career I also did some crazy stuff although it is stupid, finally, I got over it.
Then, things happened and somehow my past has affected my mental health. I need to change and discover myself. Therefore, I want to use this opportunity as best as I can, to not feel like a person in a cage anymore, to reveal myself. Somebody also ever said that traveling or being as far as you can from comfortable, can help you to find yourself better. Many people just assume that traveling alone is terrifying, although It is a little terrifying, it is also exciting.
Me, as an introvert who has any anxiety problem (including public speaking), strolling alone 2000 miles away from home. What a giant move huh? They said a disease must be faced, not feared.
The Long Flight
Of course, I'm always weak for goodbyes. No matter how ready I was, when it comes to goodbye to the people I loved the most, my home, my resting place, it is always hard not to shed a tear. Even the last meal that I had on the day of my flight, which that supposed to be my favorite and delicious thing, tasted different and sad.
I love them all so much <3
We arrived at the airport 2 hours before departure, and the queue was very sucks. It took us 1 hour to wait in line and I did not get the chance to say goodbye and hug them longer. It is very unfortunate :(
*tips : for an international flight, check-in MINIMUM 2 hours before if you can.
Eventually, the flight was at 14.10 and I got to the immigration line at 13.30, thank God it didn't take long. Afraid of missing my expensive flight and there is not many people left with me, I was panicked so I ran to the gate that was literally at the end of the building and got me very sweaty :)))
Fast forward, after I went through the first flight while holding tears, I got confused in the airport because it was the first time I went on a transit flight alone. Everybody else I traveled with was with someone, and the others seems to know what to do there. I know that everyone gets the excitement of Changi Airport while I'm just thinking It is just an airport where people come and go and rest for a while after a depressing journey. So I just spent my 4 hours waiting by buying a hot chocolate and video calling my Boo. One problem is that finding the gate is kind of confusing. How can people read so fast on the screen while the text is changing every 3 seconds? Thankfully there is a website from Changi Airport that gives information about which gate that connected to my flight (although there is still written that some things may change and must constantly check). Also, thank God the website is correct. I was not the only one that confused at that time.
The Arrival
Yayyy, this 20 hours flight finally ended! Words can't express how excited but nervous I was for finally stepping my feet on this kangaroo island. So many new things and adventures await, also the adrenaline. I went through immigration smoothly (even though I still feel nervous no matter how many times I went through that), didn't take a long time for my baggage to show up, and finally got referred directly to line 3 at baggage inspection, where there is no further check and searching is needed and I can go straight to outside the airport.
So there are two ways I can get to Ballarat. My final destination. One is by bus, the second is by train. I chose the train option because :
I love trains, more than bus (even buses in this country is much better than in Indonesia)
I have to wait about 3 hours to get to the bus, already starving, and can't get anything much at the airport. Because of the 24-hours quarantine regulation, I have to get supplies, which I cannot get at the airport.
I miss Southern Cross station. Somehow that place is special to me and I wanted to see the place immediately.
Before taking a train at Southern Cross, I must get a Skybus from the airport that costs me about $19,75. This is where I almost panicked, the ticket cannot be bought by cash anymore and I haven't activated my Bank account here yet. But then I immediately remember about my debit visa card, and the nice ticket guy helped me through it because there was some issue with the machine. So relieved to finally get into the bus, 2nd floor :)))
Train Journey-yay
Southern cross station! Is located right in the middle of Melbourne City. It brings back memory when I was there with my sister and somehow I'm amazed by the architecture of the building, the fresh smell from people who just got here from various places, and the schedule screen. After I got there, I immediately top up my myki card and focused on finding a place where I can buy food supplies for my 1st-day quarantine (the regulation here in Victoria is immediate quarantine for 24 hours and must continue until get tested negative with rapid or PCR).
I was starving! thankfully I walked past a cafe where they serve fresh sandwich (that I have been craved since arrived). Then I quickly eat half of it so I can catch the train to Ballarat, so I don't have to wait for another hour.
The train journey is amazing to Ballarat. I must be lucky or get or train early so I can get a forward-direction seat and watch the view peacefully. I get to see the city, suburbs, farms, and my favorite part is the wind turbine farm. It is such an experience to see it with my real eyes. They seem so much cooler up close and hoping that someday I can get much closer to them, or maybe, work in their company.
The Drama - Final
I finally arrived in the city that I'd been wondering about, Ballarat. When I arrived it was weirdly quiet like a dead city. Kind of disappointed a little and ruined the mood of excitement. The station that I was supposed to exit on my PTV app is actually at Wendouree station, one and final stop after Ballarat Station where I exited *I was thinking that is also the reason it was so quiet there*. It was shown that If I drop off at Wendouree, I will get a bus that will go directly to my residence. I was actually a little freaked out actually but trying really hard to chill, because there was like no bus coming across the station. However, I saw the people I dropped out with were waiting in front of the taxi line, then I decided to take a taxi then *even though I haven't figured out at that time that taxi must be ordered via call and online*. I was carrying 27 kg of baggage anyway.
Finally, after waiting in line, I got a taxi. Then as usual the driver asked me and chit chat about what I'm doing there etc, trying to be cool and not creeped out. Although, that kind of meeting is actually one of the luckiest things I had on that day. The driver was extremely kind, not in a creepy way. He gave me his number, which I never thought will save my life.
I have to tell the detail about the view on my way to campus. I was so mesmerized by the old buildings, how small the town is, the suburb, then after I finally reached Mount Helen the view changed drastically again to a natural habitat. Fields, woods, feeling like a village. Like moving into a different city. It took about 15 minutes to get to campus.
Because I don't have any Ideas on how to get to Fedliving Office, I just ask the taxi driver to drop me off at the spot where people usually dropped off. If I'm not mistaken, the fee was about 24$. Then I tried to walk about 300 meters ahead, oh man, it was much harder than I thought. Even though I don't carry many handbags, this one baggage is already damn heavy enough. Plus the road to any direction is just inclines. Then I nervously call the help center for outside office hours to get the direction. Stupidly I was hoping the officer that came will offer me a ride because she got cars to get to me, but I am afraid to ask because I'm afraid it is too much to ask for :"). Yes, I was carrying that damn heavy suitcase uphill, about 300 m far, to the office that is annoyingly closed :((
Damn, I was so so much disappointed but trying to chill after I figured out the doors are locked, I tried to call Dan as a campus representative for Indonesia but he didn't pick up and gave me another wrong number. I'm really confused like there is literally no one there, then I can't leave my baggage behind. Where should I stay?? I already confirmed to campus about the day of my checked in, but why?? I just really need to rest after that 20 hours nonstop journey, and how am I supposed to isolate myself for 24 hours?
Driven by my dumb decision-making idea, I just try to book a hotel and the only cheaper option I have that is not fully booked is the one I found at Agoda. It costs about 600 rupiahs. I also told my cousin this, and she just really freaked out again after I told her earlier that I just arrived and the airport pickup from campus was unavailable that time. Then she just convinced me to wait 2 hours instead of staying at hotel. I fell for it because It was really freaked her out, and the kind driver can't also pick me up at that time. So I got no option.
Then the same officer that helped me passed by, and slowly go back to in front of me and yelled, "It's on the other side!".
DAMN I WAS PRANKED
I immediately go to the back of the building that I just knew the door I was trying to open was the BACK DOOR :)))
Luckily, again, there was also a new student who wanted to check in and kindly showed me how to get the keys by ourselves on the safe box because the staffs are unavailable on Sunday. Then I immediately told my cousin and my boyfriend like damn, I am so relieved I don't have to wait 2 hours starving and tired of staying at a hotel I don't even know save.
Another note, there is actually an email from fedliving ONE DAY before my flight about how to get my key. Of course, I did't open any email that day, I was very focused on packing, which I still forgot about one important thing, my calculator :)))
Remember that one taxi driver number that saved my life?
So after I arrived, I immediately find the power adapter to charge my phone, and I was carrying the wrong type all along. It's for UK. I stupidly didn't check what is Australian power adapter look like, and I thought that what I bought was the international one. Without thinking long, I call my taxi driver and he also helped me to find which store that sells one. He stopped at 1 place and waited for me while pausing his meter, and continue to one big supermarket so I just have to pay one-way trip. I was dropped at the biggest Woolworths in the city *which I told him to do, and I went inside immediately. I didn't find it. A little down, but I don't want to give up at that time. Luckily there is also coles that are located beside the building. With the help of kind cashier woman, finally I got UK to Australia power adapter instead. At least I can get the power to either my phone or laptop. I was so very relieved, again :") Then I went back home with the same driver.
Along the way back, he asked me who I came with to Australia. After I said that I'm alone, he was said to me that I'm a strong girl. I never realized I am the one either. I can't believe I had to go through all of these. Alone. Miles and miles apart from home. I didn't told my parents when I had those problems because I don't want to worry them.
Damn...
On next blog, I will surely show you guys the whole tour of my room, my building, the views around my stay, to gym, and to my campus ;)
There it is,
my story about starting a new chapter of life, the first step to every possibility. For those who managed to read this until the end, I hope you enjoy it and I hope I can take you guys on my journey too by my words.
See Ya!
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