And so began my quest to find a journalism job/work experience/temporary work (WHATEVER!) in Australia and I knew it was going to be very different than the humble beginnings of my home town.
I was jetlagged but could still feel the 40 degree heat. With my Grandad, we slept most of the day but when we didn't the heat was unbearable. Going outside was crazy, my Grandad's ring nearly melted into his finger and I had gone from shoes, socks, pants, t-shirt, jumper and coat to just socks, shorts and t-shirt = phew!
However, we knew it was hot and heard the faint mumblings of bushfires nearby, ahh that's a new one - nothing serious though right...oh dear.
The trouble began when we could smell and see the smoke, my relatives Dad had ash and embers falling near his property and the reports became more serious. We were never in danger living 30 minutes from the bushfires but my relatives Dad lived closer - he evacuated some valuables but stayed and thankfully the fires didn't reach him either.
Nearly 200 people dead.
Crap.
The final fire warnings were only really taken down around the time my Grandad went home, March 5 - by that time I had a casual job with a newspaper = so I stayed.
