The Perks of Being a Couch Surfer

4:50pm the driver went on the intercom and announced we’d be at the station in about ten minutes or 5pm.. whichever came first. I was the only one to laugh hysterically out loud. Thus began my time in Melbourne.

Greyhound seems to always be on time. Even at home I used to take it to my mom’s city almost every weekend. And in all my experiences they are precisely on time. Unlike my ride from the station, who was my first couch surfing host here and the first peculiarity of my Melbournian adventure.

I won’t disclose a name but it was a man. A delay in pick up time was the least of my worries. It gave me a chance to walk around the city and the fact that he offered to pick me up was already a great favour. The delay was because of a white night festival happening in the city so a lot if roads were closed. Anyways we met and he proposed we go to the festival but I was pretty tired and in need of a shower so it was a no for me.

The car ride to his place was about 30 minutes of usual introductory banter. Where are you coming from, what are your plans in Melbourne, How do you pronounce your name. Ah okay nice to meet you “Raw sha” a few corrections and laughs than we arrived at the humble abode.

For those who don’t know “couch surfing” it’s an app that creates a platform for connecting people in need of a place to sleep, with people who have a space to offer, for no cost and short term. I did it for the first time two weeks ago in Tasmania and have been using it in between friend’s couches with no problems in fact only great stories and hosts until him..

*intensity building drum roll*

The peculiarity as pre-referenced was mainly based on his character and things he said.

1. He said he lives with flat mates and rents out the space when they’re away. But this place looked like my mother’s house. Surely not a place where two or three men are living.

2. He always wanted to take a picture of or with me.

3. Just an overall subtle creepiness. 

He came across as a nice guy, amiable and such. Than mid conversation he would inject a comment that was overtly flirtatious. The whole experience was uncomfortable and I made arrangements to leave the next day (despite booking for two more nights).

I booked viewings for two apartments. The first one was absolutely amazing but since I had the other one booked I said I’ll go as a courtesy and come back. BIGGEST MISTAKE OF MY DAY. The second one I booked canceled on me when I was already on my way there. I called the first people saying I was coming back now annddddd they sold the room to someone who was staying three months ... compared to me staying only two months..

Day two in Melbourne . Tier two of bags under my eyes.  Straw three of my patience. I was on the train looking at hostels online and cradling my bank account. In between trains I stopped to use the public bathroom. Filled my water bottle, took some time to pep talk myself and then headed back to the platforms.

Just going through the gates I noticed a familiar walk amongst the fast moving Melbournians. Surely, distinctively, the walk belonging to only a French man named Nicholas! (My ex flatmate! Read brothers from another mother) Sure enough it was! I was so excited to see him I gave him a rose I had picked earlier and we made plans to meet again.

I would say this is when the wheels of serendipity began to turn. On the next train, as I was about to confirm my booking for two nights at the YHA my friend Ashley replied to my message. I could stay at his flat if I still needed a place. The sweetest most beautiful words to my ears. Aside from do you need to do a load of laundry before you leave.

In Bali a few of my mates were from Melbourne so we’ve stayed in touch via group chat on Facebook. It’s been just over two weeks since we left Bali and we’ve all still kept up contact. Which for me has been quite refreshing, to have a lasting connection with such cool people! That same day my friend Tawney also said I could also stay with her starting Wednesday.

So I spent two nights with Ashley at his uni-lodge with his 2.5 housemates, .5 as in a friend who sleeps there sometimes but doesn’t officially live there. Ash made dinner, I bought pie and wine, we watched movies and I played scrabble with his friends. It was like having a sleepover with your best friend on a weekday! Except he went to work and I went to the library and on a walking tour.

I still haven’t found a job or an apartment so I’ve been contemplating how much time I will actually spend here. With my savings I could afford to take some time to travel to the next big city and look for work there. I’m still undecided but I’ll have accommodation with Tawney for a little while to get my footing.

Tuesday I left Ash’s and booked another couch surf for that night. I went there to drop off my bags, than meet up with Nicholas for a movie! So so sooo good to catch up with that quirky French man. And this couch surf host is amazing. He busks for a living, he is full of genuine stories and kindness, I wish I had him the first day. His name is Joshua , we’ve made plans to catch up again so that’s a tally on the ‘should stay’ side of my Melbourne chart.

Wednesday after spending the day chatting, eating and musicing with Joshua he drove me to Tawneys. And here I am Thursday Morning! It’s been six days in Melbourne. Based on the first I thought it would be the demise of my travels. Now I would say it’s one of my favourite parts. All good stories start with a weirdo I suppose and everything since has worked out with such a flow of lovely people and ever better hospitality.

Tawney and I filled each other’s ears and wine glasses with what’s happened in our lives since Bali. I will make cinnamon rolls today, whilst continuing the job hunt. Tawney’s share house has this huge garage/ party pad in the backyard I may possible seek refuge in for the next month.  So I’m grounded again and surrounded by beautiful people. This adds like 7 tallies to the ‘should stay’ side.  I only have 2 months left in Australia, I would love to spend them with a great circle of people and feeling comfortable.

ps. I've decided I'm going to write a book. How to be a good house guest 101. Stay tuned.