That Time I Got Extremely Excited About Moving to Brisbane!

Well Hello There!!

It's an exciting time in Steve Crosby's life. I have been in Australia almost 3 weeks. And I've been busy. So, even though amazing adventures haven't been had, as far as climbing on mountains or swimming below a waterfall goes... I am ecstatic about life...

Upon arriving in Australia, Chris from CouchSurfing picked me up from the airport and made my time in Sydney as good as it could have been! Chris is one heck of a CS host. He understands the plight of backpackers and does everything he can to show you a good time, let you relax, and keep Sydney light on your wallet. After staying with Chris for a few days, I received a warming invitation from Sarah Mirela (a friend I met in Russia back in 2006). Sarah extended the spare room in Phillips house in Gold Coast (a city about an hour from Brisbane). Phil is Sarah's boyfriend who she now lives with. My time with Sarah and Phil has been amazing. In keeping with the legit hosts I've managed to find, Sarah and Phil are some of the nicest and most inviting people around. I've been on complete vacation since I arrived in Australia and I'm having a blast. Fireworks shows, fun days out, hanging out with their friends, and just relaxing in an amazing house.

But it can't all be fun. So, while relaxing in paradise. I managed to secure a place to live in Brisbane through an old friend, Andrew Fainges. I ran into Andrew at a get together on Anzac Day(April 25, My Birthday) that was being hosted by a dear friend Emily Aitken. To be clear, I know Sarah, Andrew, and Em all from a Russia mission trip in 2006. And I'm glad that I already have friends in Brisbane. I have obtained my RSA (Responsible Service of Alcohol), something important so I can now be a bartender in Queenstown (the state that Brisbane is in). I have also started looking into churches in Brisbane that I can get plugged into, many look like great churches with young adult programs. The CouchSurfing community in Brisbane is very active so I look forward to going to community nights and meeting other locals and travelers. Also, I've been looking into ceramic studios that I can work at. I've gotten a few promising emails back from studio owners. Most who feel, at a minimum, I can put in enough work for free studio space and materials. So I'm getting back into ceramics, a hobby that I have missed dearly. And who knows, maybe some more money on the side from selling my work if that option presents itself.

While I love traveling, it isn't free. So I got my Work/Holiday Visa and am stoked about putting some money back in my pocket so I can travel again another day (soon). From what I hear, jobs in Brisbane are not hard to get and all pay very well. (Minimum wage is $16 dollars an hour)(Hopefully I won't be getting minimum but even if I do I'll still be able to save up good money)

Why Am I So Excited? Because, while I LOVE traveling, I also really love making friends and being part of a community. Something that I have been missing ever since leaving the University of Alabama. So, in the interest of making my 5 months in Brisbane as fun as possible, I'm preparing to get plugged into the CouchSurfing community, church groups, a ceramic shop, and work (wherever I end up working, hopefully a bar).

Traveling is fun. But it's not all happy-go-lucky and off-into-the-sunset times. Sometimes you need to plan out what you're going to be doing to make sure you have a hoot. I planned out New Zealand really well and had one HECK of a time. And now I've got a plan for Australia, so I'm confident I'll have a blast here too!

Thanks for all the birthday emails guys! My trip around the world would be nowhere near as rewarding without all of your constant correspondence, encouragement, and prayers. Special thanks to Zach Helton, Kathy Steele, and Dad and Mom for sending me care packages! I haven't received them yet, due to being on the other side of the globe but I can't wait for them to get here!

I would also like to give a special shout out to anybody who is considering traveling themselves. I have received a couple of emails recently from different people who have been reading the blog. I want each of you to know: Traveling can be a unparalleled experience in terms of rewards, friends, and inner insight.

I move into my new place on Sunday! Wish me luck, keep the emails coming, keep the questions coming, and care packages are always amazing(my new address will be given to anyone who requests it!)