SETTLING IN ...

Well, it's September 1, and we're in the middle of a heatwave, no sign of the wet wet days we were expecting.

Have settled in to our hotel (we're booked in here for 14 nights) ... and the people are so friendly, can't do enough for us, and they have been doing heaps: fixing the air con. On our first night in we went out exploring, and went right instead of left (as you do) .... got a bit lost, saw a cow come tumbling to its death from the back of the truck in front of us ... Cheryl takes off like a rocket, I'm standing there dumbfounded, but eventually got the legs to just walk around it. 300 mtrs further down the road, we decided that YES, we were getting a bit lost, it was getting a bit dark, so turned back, only to find that the poor calf was still in the land of the living, upright and tethered to the fence (of what looked like a temple place). It was'nt looking the brightest little cow, but at least it survived, to look forward to becoming dinner for the family.

So out shopping we go the next day early, find our way into town properly. Turning left, we are in town in about 200 metres. Found an optometrist, ordered specs (so cheap), bought hats each, as we were starting to disolve again. We must look hot too - every time we stop, the shop people come running out with chairs and put the fans on for us, or stand in front of us and actually fan us. Checking the mirror, we l0ok miserable, wet head, white faces with perspiration streaming down. Not the most attractive visitors they have seen. Then it gots too hot to even walk, but we need water, so we grab a cyclo man each and they get on their phones and order large bottles of water for each of us (21 litres) for a couple of $'s each, and then get us back home. We're passing out by this stage. Have a nanna-nap to re-charge the batteries then head out again.

Down to the Cargo Club to meet up with my boss Robyn, where we spent a very pleasant few hours relaxing, guzzling tonic water and getting to know each other. Robyn is so easy to like and it's so comfortable in her company. She gave us tips on where to go for what etc, is organising new phone numbers for us ... organising new bikes for each of us, and since we have to wear modest and appropriate clothing to work, we went off to her recommended tailor this morning. 3 pairs long linen pants, 1 dress, and 4 sleeved tops, all measured up and will be ready Thursday morning - would have been ready tomorrow, but it's a public holiday - independence day tomorrow. And the cost for all those clothes was $130 AUD. Will be returning there to fill Sue's order of linen clothes .... :o) ... when i check out the quality of my finished garments.

Grabbed push bikes this morning and headed into town early - both nervous nellies. OK the left side of the road is the wrong side of the road, so we have to get used to peddling on the right side, which makes it right, but when we got to corners, we got confused and ended on the left again, which was wrong. Only 200 metres down the road, aussie helmet firmly attached to head, sunglasses fog up, moisturiser runs down face and into eyes, so I'm stuck, can't take hands of handlebars, cause we're wobbly enough, but can't see, eyes stinging and foggy glasses. So rammed gutter to stop (brakes weren't much good), mopped up and took off again. We made it, and by the end of the week, we'll be fine, but at the moment, we're really being careful. Must have looked even worse than yesterday at the shops (probably sweaty hat hair doesn't look attractive either) ... in addition to the chairs, fans, today we've each been given bottles of cold water at each stop. By tomorrow, maybe an offer of a meal ???

Out to dinner tonight with Robyn, Nadine and Linda - both our bosses, to organise start date etc. Will be so interesting, and I'm still nervous, but will be OK when we get there. OK time for a nanna to cool down before heading down the road to look at Robyns available flat above my work .... but we really need a pool to fall into .... but we'll wait and see ...

Hi and bye to all at home ... we're doing fine, we could be back in Oz, doing our normal every day things, but Noooooooo .... rather be here!