The next morning I googled job ads for the local area. A couple restaurants were looking for waitresses, I guess I could do that. However I do not have any experience with that so I am not to positive they would hire me. What else have we got? Salesperson. Maybe.

Cleaner, babysitter, gardener, company worker.

I made a list with all job offers that seemed to be a good fit, I called all the employers. A few times I was told that the position had already been filled, two or three told me they prefered someone Australian or a native English speaker.

The others invited me to send my CV and information to their email-adress, they would get back to me soon if interested.

One invited me to come for an interview which I gladly accepted. I tried not to get up my hopes but I sort of did. It was a job in which you had to type data in and sort data and paperwork.

The interview would be the day after tomorrow, I decided to prepare for it later and use the meantime to go and explore. Perth is the capital of Western Australia, it counts as the most isolated capital anywhere. If you drive up or down the coast or inland you won‘t encounter another big city any time soon. Small towns and outback is all there is.

As I had a few hours until tonight I chose to take a bus in the centre of town. It was pretty much like I imagined. Big and busy but I loved seeing all the possiblities to eat lunch and go shopping.

In my home town in Germany you have about two restaurants and a few small shops. Here one big shop is right next to the other. I took my time walking around. I read the menu of all the different restaurants and went in almost every shop, looking around what they offered. A crop top with pink flowers caught my eye. This would be a great outfit to wear tonight. I found a small flyer in the hostel earlier, advertising the party tonight at 8pm. I obviously planned ongoing.

I just hoped Maia would be there. I loved her company yesterday, I would love to learn more about her, I had a fun first night in Australia thanks to her. After all I am in a new country and she is so far the only person here I had an actual conversation with.

It was just after 6pm when I returned to the hostel. I looked around in the common room and the kitchen but I did not see Maia. I wonder what room she is in. Unfortunately definietly not in the same one I was in.

I had a fair amount of time left before the party, it was too early to get dressed for it. Instead I decided to grab my e-book-reader and chill outside. A bit hot for my liking but the outside area in the hostel was much better than the small sticky rooms. A few big trees provided some well needed shade, flowers were planted everywhere.

Fortunately one of the hammocks was not taken so I had a great place to read. Just as I finished the first chapter I had an incoming call. My mom.

„Hi, Mom. How are you?“ „I am good darling. Nothing new. How are you? I am worried sick about you“

„I am fine, Mom. I sent you a message earlier. You don‘t need to worry“ „I know- But I am. You have never been this far away from home“ „True. But keep in mind I am an adult after all- not a little kid“ „ I know, honey. How is Australia? Have you made any friends yet?“

Made a friend is probably a far-fecthed term for what I have with Maia but yet in a weird way it feels a little like it.

„Yes I have. Her name is Maia“

„Tell me more about her“ My mom has always been the most curious person I know. She is the only one who would care to hear details about some random girl I talked to once. It has always been that way. She wanted to know the life story of everyone I knew, the more details the better. And my own one of course.

„ I don‘t know what to tell you. She is British, has been in Australia for a while and um is very pretty“

I felt a tap at my shoulder. I had been facing the wall so the sun wasn‘t blinding me.

When I turned around I saw Maia smirking at me.

I told my mom I needed to go now, she told me to stay safe and call her again soon.

„ I will“ I said before hanging up. Maia was still standing there looking at me.

„Talking about me, are we?“ She smiled.

„My mom asked if I met anyone nice and um what they are like“

„And all you could up with was „British“ and „pretty“. How about smart, talented, sweet, fun and funny“. I raised my eyebrows at her and smiled. I liked her, she literally seemed to be all the things she jokingly mentioned but I certainly won‘t tell her that.

„Okay, whatever I will take pretty. Anyways you ready for the party tonight? I heard the hostel throws the best ones“. She squeezed into the hammock with me. It was quite tight, not a lot of space. Our bodies were touching, it felt weird to say the least. Weird, but in a good way.

„How was your first actual day in Australia?“ She asked after a few moments of silence. The sun was tickling my hair and I could smell her sweet scent, I really wish we could lie here forever.

„It was good actually“ I said „ I did not do too much, I was in the city“ „Fun but ordinary. It‘s no different from any other decent city with shops and restaurants“ Maia responded „If you want I will show you some more interesting places tomorrow“

Obviously I couldn‘t decline that offer. She suggested to meet tomorrow at 11am in the same spot as we were at right now.

„Great- see you later!“ She climbed out of the hammock, almost throwing me off in the process. Once stable I followed her with my gaze. She is wearing a lovely summer dress, her hair in a ponytail this time.