Same Place, Diff. Seat
9/5/00
Tuesday 10:10 AM
Oh, yeah! I’m feelin’ the Funk. Well, last night at least. This morning I was just feeling a bit funky. They actually (and a bit ironically) played James Brown’s Good Foot last night. Oh, last night. After finishing the jug by my lonesome, a bit discouraged that Simon (from England) didn’t show up. I headed back to the ghetto. It was only 8:00 or so. Early. So I get back and this French girl and Japanese guy are hanging outside smoking. I invite them to come for a drink, and they agree. So they go about getting ready. So I go in and talk with this German woman. We start talking about Fraser, and come to find out she’s going over in the same group as Simon. Then Simon walks in and I invite him over, along with the German. Well, Simon would “come over later”. The German was going to try to sleep, the Japanese guy wanted to shower, so just Justine and I went over. I got a schooner [Editor: An Australian schooner is about a pint of beer] and she had a Bailey’s. So we start talking about the usual stuff: travels, school, Australia, why the French hate Americans (never did get a straight answer), and the like. Then the German joins us, shortly thereafter followed by the Japanese bloke. So I shouted the first round. I took great pleasure in it. It was crazy! I believe we talked about the US mainly. Nuts. I mean, here were four people of different languages and cultures, all speaking my tongue. We spoke of sake, crossing the street, kudzu, Americans don’t know when to stop drinking, Germans do more than drink beer. I rub my beard too much, “alligator” is Japanese for “Thank you” … [Editor: Actually, it’s Arigatou, not alligator] and at this moment there’s a song playing with the refrain, “you give me head.” Nutty Aussies. So anyhow, Justine bought me another schooner, and then the German bought a jug. We were the only ones in the place by 10, and we finally left at 10:30. I tried to be quiet when I came in, but my pack was all locked up. Poor Simon. He fell asleep reading. Anyhow, brushing my teeth was an adventure in and of itself. Oh, Justine likes Pearl Jam. Pretty cool. Americans must not be all bad.
So today I packed up, checked out, dropped Simon my email (he is on Fraser), and I went to Woolies to get a lunch for the train. I bought some jewelry and a “Buggar!” window sign for the truck as well. The sign cracks me up for some reason. And now I just need to pass an hour and a half until the shuttle leaves for the bus station.
So long, Hervey Bay. It’s been a wonderful 6 days.
KC