Australia Hotel Tips by Amelei

MEETING KYRON WHILE WWOOFING: WWOOFING CONTINUED- THE AFFAIR OF THE MAIDEN LADY

I take my sunglasses and head to the garden while it is still cool enough to work a few hours. This means that i can sneak away for a swim about mid morning.

I walk towards the garden and notice a figure attending to the weeds and rotating the soil with organic matter. I wave when he looks up and he smiles back, wipes his brow and waves back tieing his dreadlocks in a knot to keep off his face.

I walk over and introduce myself and i stop in my tracks. I just stare dumbfounded at 'him'. My heart quite literally stops for a second. He is simply the most stunning human being i have ever seen and i can feel my cheeks burning. He looks up again at my stupid expression and smiles and says ' Hello, I am Kyron. I came here last night. What is your name?' 'Um.. Amelei...', oh, i must have made the biggest fool of myself.

We worked for hours in the garden with little conversation, just the odd sentence here and there.

By 1pm we were so hot , so i offered to show him the creek at the bottom of the valley. Agroup of us went down with fruit and sat by the creek swiming for an hour.

That night a few of the WWoofers came to my tipi for chai and Kyron turned up later unexpected, much to my complete delight.

Weeks past and everyday i went to the garden and saw Kyron. In this time working , we began talking more and more until we couldnt stop talking. we had so much in common. His laugh was infectious and i loved this time we spent together.

We began seeing each other on the quiet after about 3 weeks. He would come to the house and drink chai tea and bring his guitar and play for a long time. We would sit and talk for hours about ou families, our dreams, our thoughts. He was so honest and spontaneous. We went for middnight swims and travelled to the markets on the weekends.

We travelled to Brisbane to see his friends and to sydney to see mine.

Unique Qualities: After a short time we were inseperable. Kyron was always there, but not suffocatingly. I craved his presence. He was just so wonderful, so beautiful to be around. He was so gentle and carried an auora of complete stillness.

It did not take long for him to move in with Megan and I. we both enjoyed early morning yoga sessions.

Times i would not see him for days as he wandered into the forest just to be on his own. He wanted to explore and escape some of the madness of this place. i totally understood.

i remember lying with Kyron one night and jsut saying 'Kyron i think im in love with you'. He smiled and pulled me to him 'I know im in love with you Amelei'. And so the mad love affair started.

We travelled all over the country together, worked together in allsorts of crazy situations. We danced together, loved deeply, laughed, never stopped laughing. I fell in love with his chocolate skin, his awesome dreads, his wonderful personality, his soft touch, his awesome heart. He would give you the shirt off his back if he knew you wanted it. He had nothing but had so much! He was the wealthiest person i knew.

I was truly touched by an angel being with Kyron for the short time that i was.....

Directions: We had a moment
Just one moment
Beyond a dream
Beyond a lifetime
We are the lucky ones
Some people never get what we got to do
Now and forever
I will always think of you
-Carole King-

Theme: Other

~JAH WORK ~ ~EXCUSE ME MR~: JAH WORK- Harper/ Plunier

Tell me do you really know
your brother man
cause a heart speaks louder
than a color can
and why would you even
shake a man's hand
if you're not going
to help him stand

Jah work
Jah work is never done

Every man's actions
belong to he
if prepared for thereafter
to each his destiny
some people believe
and some people know
some people deceive
and some people show

Jah work
Jah work is never done

You must do the heaviest
so many shall do none
you have got to stand firm
so many shall run
some they rest their head at night
some get no sleep at all
if you listen close to what you see
you will hear the call

Unique Qualities: Excuse me Mr.
do you have the time
or are you so important
that it stands still for you

excuse me Mr.
lend me your ear
or are you not only blind
but do you not hear

excuse me Mr.
isn't that your oil in the sea
and the pollution in the air Mr.
whose could that be

excuse me Mr.
but I'm a mister too
and you're givin' Mr. a bad name
Mr. like you

so I'm taking the Mr.
from out in front of your name
cause it's a Mr. like you
that puts the rest of us to shame
it's a Mr. like you
that puts the rest of us to shame

and I've seen enough to know
that I've seen too much

excuse me Mr.
can't you see the children dying
you say that you can't help them
Mr. you're not even trying

excuse me Mr.
take a look around
Mr. just look up
and you will see it's comin' down

so Mr. when you're rattling
on heaven's gate
let me tell you Mr.
by then it is too late

cause Mr. when you get there
they don't ask how much you saved
all they'll want to know, Mr.
Is what you gave

excuse me Mr.
but I'm a mister too
and you're givin' Mr. a bad name
Mr. like you

Theme: Other

NIMBIN: MY MEMORIES OF WOOFING

I am living in my tipi in Barkers vale, perched high up on the hill over looking the lowlands and dense forest..

It is early morning and i am waking from my sleepy hollow. The sun hits the flap of the tipi and the animals begin to call out, stiring a poignant thrilling sound. This is my favourite time of day- the dawning.

I wrap my sarong around my hips and walk outside to greet the sunrise as day breaks, dividing the skies with magnificient splendor.

I close my eyes and breathe in the clear air all around me. Yoga is accompanied soon after, as my morning ritual.

After building the fire and making tea, i wander down through the dales to the lowlands, where there is an army of tipi's and tents scattered near the waterways. This is such a magical site to see , as the morning mist catches and whirls in circles , giving off an eery magic!

The commune where i am staying caters for WWOOFERS, and this is where they stay for the time they are with us. I always make an effort to wander down most mornings to make sure everyone is happy and comfortable in their dwellings.

By mid morning we stray towards the garden and work for a few hours tending to the crops. Many wonderful moments are shared here telling tales of foreign places i have yet to visit. My imagination flys away as each WWOOFER shares their wonderful journey to date.........

Unique Qualities: This is usually followed by a communal lunch in the main dwelling, of salads and fresh juices all made on the farm.

By this time, swimming is definately on the agender and we strole down to the creek to emerse ourselves under the waterfall. It is usually too hot by this time to do any serious work so we stay here in the cool shade and 'seista', until the blazing sun gives way and hides behind the clouds.

The animals need attention so we tend to them and go horse riding and generally clean up around the area.

By night fall, music can be heard form down below and a few WWOOFERS are usually found around my tipi drinking chai tea and watching the stars. I love when theres one i can find who plays the guitar well enough....... then its time for zzzzzzzz

Directions: Nimbin Australia

Theme: Other

GREAT WAY TO MEET PEOPLE AND TRAVEL: WWOOF-ING- THE CHEAP ALTERNATIVE

Willing Workers On Organic Farms australia

Anyone over the age of 17 can join WWOOF. WWOOF Australia members can be of any nationality - including Australian.

Working in exchange for food and accommodation is the basis of all WWOOFing. Time spent working varies according to the degree of self-sufficiency expected, how busy the host is at the time of your visit and other factors - but it should average out at about a half day's work for a full day's keep. 4 to 6 hours a day is fair exchange for a days full board and accommodation

WWOOFing gives you:
first hand experience of organic growing methods by helping your hosts

a chance to meet, talk, learn and exchange views with others in the organic movement
an opportunity to learn about life in the host country by living, and working, as family

Things you may be asked to do:

Sowing Compost making Gardening
Planting Wood cutting Child-minding
Weeding Mud-brick making Office work
Harvesting Fencing Typing
Milking Feeding Computer work
Building Packing

Unique Qualities: Some agents you can call in regards to WWOOF-ing

Glebe Village Backpackers 256 Glebe Point Road, Glebe, 2037 e-mail Web: www.workaustralia.com

BYRON BAY

Backpackers World Travel, Shop 5 Byron St, Byron Bay. 02-6685-8858

KATOOMBA

Flying Fox Backpackers, 190 Bathurst Rd, Katoomba 02-4782-4226 (5-8pm)

Katoomba Adventure Centre, 1 Katoomba St,Katoomba 02-4782-4009(9-5pm)

MULLUMBIMBY

The Bookshop, 39 Burringbar St,Mullumbimby. 02-6684-1413

NEWCASTLE

Backpackers, 44 Denison St, Hamilton. 02-4969-3436

Address: AS ABOVE

Directions: AS ABOVE

Theme: Other