The highlight of this week for Danita and me was Thursday 24th August.
That was our first anniversary – not of us being together as a couple but of our new life in Tasmania.
One year ago last Thursday we stepped off the boat (well drove off actually) to a new life.
It was both scary and exciting.
The scary part was that we knew NO-ONE, had no idea where anything was except for the address of our first residence and didn’t know if we’d be able to make a go of living in the new land.
While Tasmania is technically part of Australia there are some fundamental differences – all of which have turned out to be for the better.
When a couple immigrates they often connect with new people through their children – school, sports, friends etc.
As a more mature couple that wasn’t an option so our first port of call was the local rabbi.
Thankfully, he gave us the names of some locals he knew, we introduced ourselves and the rest, they say, is history.
While our biggest fear or concern was feeling isolated that’s been the easiest thing to resolve.
Tasmanians (ie people living on this island as opposed to or including people born here) are amazingly open and friendly.
We’re still shocked and surprised, in the nicest possible way, at how open and friendly people are here.
Complete strangers will chat with you quite happily about all sorts of things.
In the bigger cities, someone talking with you in the street is probably an indication you need to keep your hand on your wallet, phone and bag (all at the same time).
However, here people really are just plain friendly.
As well as the people one of the other things we’re still shocked by is the lack of queuing.
I recently had to renew my driver’s licence.
As I’ve been having a bit of a challenge lately with my eyesight and licence renewal in Sydney involves an eye test I was a bit apprehensive (OK I was a LOT apprehensive).
Mustering my courage and trying to time my visit to the motor registry at a time when my vision seemed pretty good I went to the office of Service Tasmania.
In Sydney renewing your licence can be an afternoon’s activity.
By the time you get through the traffic, find a local registry office, queue up to submit your forms, have the eye test, get your photo taken and then get back home it takes a significant chunk out of your day.
Here, the experience is completely different.
From leaving home to walking into the office took 10 minutes.
No queuing – straight up to the officer, sign the form, get my photo taken and out all in under 10 minutes.
Oh and finally, it cost $49.50 for a 5 year licence – try doing that in NSW.
Some of the other things we love about our new home:
– the weather is stunning – yes it’s cold but it’s winter. It’s SUPPOSED to be cold. But we have had bright sunny days where I could be outside in just a tee-shirt.
– there is everything here we want in terms of entertainment. We’ve been to plays, movies, exhibitions and lots of other special events that we wouldn’t have ventured to when living in Sydney mainly due to the above-mentioned travel and parking issues.
– house prices are actually affordable. We’re gearing up to enter the house and land buying fraternity. So far there are places we can actually consider buying. Please don’t let on about this as we don’t want any mainlanders arriving and pushing up house prices until we have found ours – then you’re most welcome to come.
So, what’s not to like?
the house we’re in has some “interesting” features.
I’ve previous mentioned our lack of water (Water, Water Everywhere – NOT) and keeping the house warm is a challenge, not so much due to the climate but the inappropriate house design.
We expected that the first year would be a learning experience, and it has been.
We are absolutely loving being here and are looking forward to getting to know the place and people even better over the many years we’re planning to be hanging around.