Better late than never: News from Perth

After almost seven months of absence on the blog scene, here I am, back with more tales from a new world I'm discovering a little more everyday and a much better internet connection. All thanks to Denis and Anne-Marie for the inspiration to continue writing this blog.

I have left Malawi six months ago with both a smile on my lips and some tears in my eyes! I was happy to leave and go back to the world I grew up in, but sad to leave behind the friends I made, my host families, my colleagues and an amazingly conflicting culture that was Malawi. I have learnt a heaps during that year in rural villages, and hopefully all this will never be forgotten.

Ahhhh Portland Easter Weekend with the Vancouver Crew

After leaving Malawi I went back home to visit my family and friends in Quebec and Vancouver. I spent three weeks in each city. I was quite busy with all the moving stuff, preparing my new adventure in Australia. It was great to catch up with you guys. I still cannot believe I left so many wonderful friends and family member behind again. I love you and miss you everyday. And I'm sorry if I was only back for a few weeks, but you all made me feel so welcome. It was actually weird to be back home, to be back where things didn't change much. It made me feel like I had dreamt the last year and a few months of my life. After catching up with a bunch of people, I said goodbye again. I took another plane and travelled all the way to Perth, Western Australia.


I am back with Golder, although my role has changed. I am no longer working in the contaminated sites, but got hired by the hydrogeology group to work on water supply, slope stability and dewatering projects for mining and construction companies. Right now I'm working on project in Perth area and  in the Pilbara. I am expecting to go to Guinea in a few months for a little while, which I'm very excited for. I am learning so much everyday, I am ultra busy and awesomely challenged. My work team is great and on a work basis, I do not regret my decision to move here...life wise, well even if I enjoy things here, I miss the mountains, but most of all, I miss my friends a lot I can't explain.

The Pinnacles Desert 

Sand Boarding in Lancelin

Sunday Walk with Andrew and Anne-Marie

We got a great little townhouse with a nice backyard area right in Mount Lawley, just off the main and all the pubs, resto, boutiques and nice groceries. It's a few kilometers from my work and town and about 15 kilometers from the beaches. Life here is quite expensive, but we also make more money, so overall, we're doing good. I got myself a mountain bike, a surf and a car to go explore all the nice things that Western Australia has to offer. I went camping and wine tasting, I saw koalas and pet kangaroos.


So far it's a great experience. The weather is quite variable during the winter; it goes from 25 degrees with a warm sun to cold rainy nights with crazy winds. The houses are not insulated and heated so the nights in the winter are cold in the house. It's getting better though as we are slowly reaching for spring. Soon enough it will be too hot and we'll complain again! haha.

Anyways, here are a few pictures. I'll try to write from time to time to keep you updated and let you know about the fun expressions I hear down under! And there are "HEAPS" of them.



It's good to be back, hope you enjoy.

Cheers,

Ge