The exhausting job hunt

I've graduated from University with high marks, I've completed a challenging and interesting internship in Colombia and as well as a highly looked upon intership with the Sunday Herald Sun. I've got communication skills, writing skills and I'm a hard worker. I'm friendly, determined and curious to learn more....

SO GIVE ME A JOB!!

Over the past few weeks I've applied for far too many jobs, some I'm under-qualified for, some I'm over-qualified for and some I don't even really want. But I still can't get a break. I've had a job offer from Griffith (too far), and a rejection from Holbrook (where..?)

I read a similar story in the journalist's magazine Walkley's, where another young journalist found himself in a similarly dire situation trying to break into the Australian media industry. He even set up a blog about it, earning him media coverage and eventually helping him land a job at Crikey.com. Not bad. He put in nearly 2 months work and sent hundreds of resumes out. So I guess I should wait a few more weeks before I really start complaining.

But I guess it also helps sort out those who really want a journalism gig from those who just like the idea of journalism without the hard work.

Back to mycareer.com.au. Wish me luck!

Readjusting to the same old life..

After being away from home for 317 days you'd think things to change a little. But they never do.

The house is still the same, the weather cold and the prices of groceries still ridiculously high. My sister has the same boyfriend and my cat is still fat. There's a new cafe in the town, but theres still the same old fish and chip shop, IGA and movie cinema.

But there are still a lot of things I have had to get used to. Flushing toilet paper is now a novelty ( in Latin America you cannot flush toilet paper anywhere), drinking tap water thats tasty and clean is a privledge and not being exposed to Spanish in the streets, trains and shops is upsetting.

I really miss the vivid colours I got used to in Mexico and Colombia. The nylon outfits, the roadside food stalls and the local buses brought colour and vividness to Latin American cities. A stroll down the street was never boring.

I miss unhealthy snacks cooked in makeshift fryers and grills on trolleys, buckets or boxes.

I miss a one hour bus ride costing 50c and a five course meal just $3.

I miss the front pages of the newspapers showing a mass grave, a brutal murder, a government corruption scandal or a natural disaster. As shocking as these stories are, they actually deserve front page news. Here front page news is the PM might be getting married, a Dutch backpacker returns to Australia or Warnie has a new girlfriend. Dribble that we should not be reading about first thing in the morning when there is so much else going on in the world that is worth it.

I miss friends from around the world and their funny accents.

I miss ancient cultures, beautiful natural landscapes and ugly ones too.

I miss salsa, reggaeton, rumba and vallenato resonating out of car windows, shops and buses so loud that it rattles your body and gets your feet moving that bit quicker.

I miss walking everywhere.

I miss exploring, learning and understanding everything about a new city, county and culture.

While I am enjoying walking the streets at night in safety, the possibility to earn more money in a week than I could have in a month in Latin America and eating delicious lamb, I can't wait to return to the vibrant, raw land of Latin America.

Los Angeles in a day

The glamorous city of Los Angeles, better known as Hollywood, in California is a dazzling city that to most looks like a playground for Barbie and Ken. "The Angels" as it translates to in Spanish, has street and street of perfectly manicured lawns in front of 20-room mansions in light pastel colours and over-sized 4WD's parked out the front is all a bit fake. But then when the glossy couple emerges with a poodle and designer it is all too fake.

But if you can get past the fakeness and frivolity of the rich and famous, there are a few other things to do in LA.

I had only one day in the city before I flew home, but I managed to see a few interesting things. I strolled along Hollywood Blvd, took a stars homes tour where you're not really sure who's front gate or garden hedge you're looking at, and went to the obligatory photo shoot in front of the Hollywood sign. Who knew it was originally put  up by a local real estate agent to advertise the neighbourhood. I stopped at the Chinese Theatre and Kodak Theatre that hosts the Academy Awards. Walked over the stars of Adam Sandler, Elton John, Michael Jackson and Jackie Chan, among the thousands of stars who pay up to $35,000 to get their name trodden on by snap happy tourists every year.

Then I was handed free tickets to the filming of the Late Late show with Brian Ferguson (that was ironically filmed at the cheerfully day-time hour of 4pm) which gave me a sneak peak into the makings of a quite unsuccessful late night talk show and the depressingly shitty job of warmer-up-er-er, a 40 year old wannabe comedian whose job is to get the crowd ready to laugh at the real comedian, who himself is only slightly funny. The warmer-up-er-er, sadly named Chunky, embodied everything you could imagine of a failed middle-aged comedian in LA who still thinks he's awesome!

I then wandered through a Neverland themed mall, complete with dancing fountain and Frank Sinatra tunes wafting through the perfume filled al fresco walkways. Designer MILF's and wanna-be young things paraded around with Abercrombie & Fitch bags battling against GAP and ZARA bags for room in their carriers hand.

Then it was time to head back to LAX, but not before an hour long train ride out to the un-glamorous, black suburbs of Northern LA. This is like another world, where push bikes replace those 4WD's and snotty babies  are carried on the hip of underage girls in baggy pants.

A city I am happy that I saw, but I'll be happier if I never have to see it again.

Weekend in Guatape

The picturesque town of Guatape, situated two hours from Medellin, offers visitors a chance to kick back and relax while exploring its flooded playground.

The best view of this incredible landscape is from the top of La Piedra del Peñol, a monolithic presence that appears out of nowhere. The 600 steps up are enough to work off the arepas and hot chocolate you had for breakfast, and the view is good enough to make you forget the 600 steps. You can grab a cold beer at the top and breathe in the fresh air while enjoying the view.In the 1970's the government decided to flood 5600 acres of hilly landscape to create a hydroelectric dam. The strategy worked and today the dam powers around 36% of Colombia’s electricity, while in the meantime creating some of the most spectacular landscapes you will see in the country.

Densely covered islands pop out of the weaving crystal water and tiny houses perch on peninsulas and lush hilltops. Deserted islands look seductive enough to make you consider emptying out your savings to purchase one.

From the rock you can take a local chivas bus back to town and wander through the colourful streets and peaceful squares. Guatape is known as “the town of Zocalos” due to the beautifully carved and brightly painted 3D motifs of village life that adorn the bottom of almost every building in the historic city center. Don’t miss visiting Calle del Recuerdo (Memory Street), a quaint avenue that was built as a replica of the main street in Old Guatape before it was inundated.

On weekends the waterside promenade is filled with locals selling home made goodies such as empanadas, cakes and jewellery. It is here you can take part in one of the many water sports on offer such as jet skiing, paddle boating and water skiing or climb onboard a cruise boat for a tour of the intricate coves and bays.

The Lake View hostel, a few minutes walk from town offers affordable accommodation and can organize boat tours to visit local sites such as Pablo Escobar’s country house, the local history museum and the site of the now-submerged Old Guatape town. They also offer hiking tours, horse back riding and fishing trips.

Due to the heavy rains that have hit the country over the past year, the lake is at record levels. This has created an incredible man made waterfall at the site where water is released from the dam, with water being pushed out through tunnels and shoots off the concrete slope like a canon, creating a powerful waterfall. This rare sight can only be seen by taking a boat trip across the lake to the drop site.

To get to Guatape, you can take a bus from the Medellin north bus terminal. The bus costs COP11,000 ($6) and leaves hourly.