„What do you think? I quite like it“ Maia was slowly walking around the car, inspecting it. Yesterday, she asked me if we wanted to travel up north together. I had agreed. After all I had no better plan and a roadtrip with Maia sounded very fun. Today we were getting to the practical side of things, we had to find a car to buy and organise everything else. We decided that we had been in Perth long enough, that the both of us wanted to move on soon and not wait any longer.

All we had to do was find the perfect car. I at first wasn‘t sure if buying (half) a car with more than half of my savings would be a good idea but on second thought it would not only get me somewhere where I could likely find a job but also save costs on accomodation. We planned on sleeping in the car and buying a cheap camping cooker and a cooler box. That would be all we need to live independently in the car.

The first one we looked at this morning was way too small and quite pricy for having a fair amount of scratches. This one actually seemed to be legit good choice. It was cheaper than others, it already had a bed put in the back (where normally the back seats are) and it provided a store room underneath the bed. Plus it was blue. A nice, dark shade of blue which is my favourite color for a car. I know it technically doesn't matter, but it does.

„Are you sure you want to do this?“ Maia asked me. I nodded. Buying a car with a girl I barely knew and going to places I knew literally nothing about might seem crazy but as I always liked to say: Those who don‘t risk anything ever, will never live. Well they might but certainly not their best life, they will never be as happy as others.

So we did it.

We bought the car.

The test drive went really well, we both drove on the big parking space and the car was great to drive. Although it was weird sitting on the right side of the car and not the left like we do in Germany, it felt like something was a little off. Nevertheless it was a great choice for a car and I was really excited to start the roadtrip,

Once we filled out all the paperwork we were good to go. Maia was driving as she was used to driving on the left side of the road being British. We drove to the nearest Kmart, a shop that Maia suggested for buying all the things we needed.

The shopping cart filled quickly. Camping cooker and gas, pillows and blankets, two camping chairs, a cooler box, a water canister, a pan, a pot and a few plates, cutelery and last but not least a map of the West Coast. "I think we have everything we need from here" Maia stated as she pushed the shopping cart to the nearest register. I could tell she was just as excited as I was. Nervous, I am not sure. I certainly was, she did not seem to be, might be hiding her nervousness though. Or she isn't because she is used to all this.

We paid for our shopping and carefully stored all the things in the car.

Before we drove back to the hostel for the last night I also had to set up a phone plan, it was surprisingly cheap with lots of data, a way better deal than the one I had back home.

Maia was a good driver. She did not seem to have any issues with driving even when we came closer to the city and traffic was a lot busier. I probably would have been a little scared of that, I have never been a good driver. One time I accidentely ended up driving on the rails for trams. That was the first and so far only time I had ever driven in a city centre.

It's not surprising either that I failed my driving test two times before finally passing it on the third attempt two years ago.

With ease Maia parked the car perfectly on the side of the road, just before the hostel.

„We could go to the supermarket around the corner and shop for a last proper dinner. Last dinner cooked in an actual kitchen“ I agreed, we got a lot of shopping done in the supermarket, enough food to get us through the next couple days and some tins food as a emergency supply, as we might not always be close to a supermarket.

I was cutting up the tomatoes, carrots and bell peppers we got while Maia was cooking the pasta. We chose to have some stir fry with fresh vegetables and tomato sauce.

„ Maybe we could have a look at the map later and plan our trip“ I suggested whilst mixing the sauce.

„I think we should be a little more spontanous. Figure out where we go tomorrow and then see each day. Besides we don‘t know yet where we'll find a job. By the way- I asked a few friends the other day, I have some addresses of farms and other places with lots of work for backpackers“

After dinner I had a look on the map with Maia. Lancelin was only an hour and a half away. That should be a good distance to start with. We didn‘t want to drive too much on the first day so we would have time to set everything up and not stress.

„ I am beyond excited!“ Maia exclaimed. „It‘s going to be epic!“

I definietly agreed. I had never done anything like this ever before. I have never done a roadtrip, not even a short one. I did small weekend trips a few times, once or twice we did camp and not just book into a hotel but that is the closest thing to a roadtrip I had done.

Crazy to think about, a month ago I was working 40 hours a week in an office, trying my hardest for them to accept me and my ideas, working so hard and trying to leave a professional impression. Then after work I would go to Patricks apartment, watch Netflix with him and sometimes I would visit friends or my family, mostly on the weekend. I lived in a small town, I had seen every inch of it. Two restaurants, a few shops, a tiny cinema and a club. That‘s about it.

A lot of people didn‘t get why I choose to come here. Some thought I was crazy for doing this. For giving up all I had back home, my apartment, although I only rented that out, the safety of home and the comfort of having loved ones close by.

So far I have been happy with my decision. I was much rather here than home, watching Netflix alone in my bed or whatever I would be doing back in Germany right now.

From all I knew about Maia so far, it seems like she felt the same way. She was also a bit hestitant to come here in the beginning, yet is so happy she chose to.