出國半年多了
目前為止沒看到什麼有關台灣的正面消息
在新加坡的時候
只看過報紙上的一則報導
標題是台灣的大學生陷在低薪資的泥沼裡
內容敘述台灣大學畢業生的薪資平均只有新加坡畢業生的一半
在澳洲
國際新聞幾乎沒看過有關台灣的
唯一看過的只有前不久華航班機在那霸機場的爆炸畫面
還被當作新聞的結尾畫面
前不久在雪梨舉行的APEC
台灣根本不是新聞重點
人家報導的重點是美國總統,中國國家主席,俄羅斯總統...
台灣的代表,大概比菲律賓總統Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo受到的關注更低吧
看到台灣還常常在拿南韓跟自己做比較
台灣年輕人應該沒人沒聽過南韓吧
但是在澳洲遇到的韓國年輕人
卻有許多沒聽過台灣
是韓國資訊不流通嗎?
我想並非如此
當台灣人沾沾自喜的說南韓的GDP per capita nominal雖然比我們高幾千美元但是PPP比台灣低上一截
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_GDP_(nominal)_per_capita
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_GDP_(PPP)_per_capita
我認為能拿在國際上比較的並非PPP
PPP只能代表該國人民在該國內生活的富裕程度
當台灣人一出國就會感受到自己的收入在國際上的實際處境
光看實質收入
台灣跟一些台灣人以為會比自己落後很多的國家差距並不大
連一些東歐國家發展十幾年也已經差不多要追上台灣
鄰近的香港,澳門高台灣近1萬美元
日本更不用說
新加坡也比台灣高1萬美元以上
而遠一點的連前南斯拉夫加盟國Slovenia都比台灣高上幾千美元
而PPP簡直是拿來發展駝鳥心態用的
不然難道紐西蘭,西班牙,希臘,列支敦斯登,葡萄牙甚至歐盟平均
他們的PPP都比台灣低
就代表他們的生活水準都比台灣差嗎?
一般台灣人的收入真的很低
只是台灣的物價相對低
所以台灣人對貧困感受不深
但是目前國際上許多物資因為BRIC四國等國家市場需求大增而價格節節攀高
資源缺乏,連耕地面積也不大的台灣眾多物資仰賴進口
未來絕對難以維持相對低廉的物價
如果實質收入不能增加
未來人民的生活一定會很困苦
台灣近來物價已經普遍有所增漲
相信一般人民已有體會
我目前待的澳洲物價比台灣高上非常多
然而這裡的收入也很高
我之前在這裡的麥當勞打工
時薪稅前澳幣16.752元
扣稅後還有14塊多,約台幣420元
而這裡一份麥當勞的全餐約7澳幣
所以我工作一小時可吃兩份全餐
台灣的麥當勞工讀生呢?
時薪台幣90幾元
但是一份餐點要工作約1個半小時才能買得起
所以誰說物價低生活就一定比較好?
收入還是決定一切
Saturday, October 13, 2007
Friday, October 12, 2007
the Trip to Blue Mountains
I made a trip to the Blue Mountains the past 2 days with 2 of my friends, Yili and Justin. The last time I was in Sydney, I didn't think about going there, all the things in my mind then were jobs and income. This time I've saved a little money and so I have the opportunity to make a trip there. The Blue Mountains is a world heritage area with amazing views.
We took the train from Central Station to Blacktown on Thursday morning, and changed to, due to railway works, another train to travel to Katoomba, the major town in the Blue Mountains National Park area. We booked one night at the YHA there. It was not a pleasant experience dealing with the staff. They're all not very professional and friendly. We made there in the morning but had to check-in in the afternoon. We paid our rent on our arrival, but obviously the staff didn't make a record on the computer, and when we checked in in the evening the staff on duty couldn't find our payment record. They kept doubting that we hadn't paid. I didn't fell happy about that. I learnt that the next time I pay any rent I have to remember to get a receipt.
Anyway, after our arrival, we stored our luggages at the YHA, and then went out to walk aroung the area. I have to admit that it is a very beautiful town with so many trees and lovely houses with adorable yards. The YHA is not far away from the Queen Elizabeth lookout in Echo Point, but we didn't know that. We went to the Scenic World on foot, and took all the three of Railway, Cableway and Skyway. The ticket we bought was Scenic Pass for adults which cost AU$28. It was expensive, but I think it's worthwhile. The view was excellent. It was also great to walk the tracks in the dense forest you can get to by riding the Railway or through other paths. The forest there is consisted of a lot of tall trees and ferns. There are also some exhibitions along the tracks regarding the coal mining history in that area many decades ago.
We then walked a long way down the hills to the mid section of Katoomba Fall. It is so beautiful and comfortable at the place. The water of the fall is not abundant due to the lasting drought, but it looks still good when you get close to it. The water drops splashed by wind onto to your face, the great scene of the valley, the birds' chirps, and the quiet surroundings all made us calm and even slumberous.
Later we walked to Echo Point and we walked down the very steep stairs down to the Three Sisters. It was scary walking down the stairs, but it's worth it. The views was great. There are many lookouts along the tracks in the whole area. But I have to say the Queen Elizabeth Lookout beside the information center truely have the most stunning scenery, and it's also the easiest one to get to.
The next day, today, we took a tour to Jenolan Caves at AU$60 for YHA members including couch transportation to and back from Katoomba and the ticket of the guided tour to Lucas Cave. The caves are maintained by a reserve trust. It took more then 1 hour to get to Jenolan Caves from Katoomba, we dozed off on the way.
You definitely have to go to Jenolan Caves if you go to the Blue Mountains. We don't know how it looks like in the other caves there, but it is absolutely breathtaking in Lucas Cave. I can't describe it well. You can find it out by going there yourself or looking at the photos I took through the link to my photos on the left.
We came back to Sydney in the evening at about 8:30PM. We should have come back earlier, but we missed the previous train by 1 minute, and had to wait until 6:24 when there was another train from Katoomba to Central Station. The train ride usually takes only 2 hours between Central Station and Katoomba on a single way ticket for adults at AU$11.60. Check the City Rail website for train fare details.
I spent about 200 dollars on this trip including train fares, YHA accommodation of 8 persons dorm, tour couch fares, Scenic World ticket, Lucas Cave ticket, and food. You can spend a lot less then that because I spend too much money on foods and drinks. By the way, do never attempt to try the Thai restaurant closest to Blue Mountains YHA on the street before the YHA. There are 2 Thai restaurants on this street, and we picked that one and definately regretted. Their foods were certainly the worst Thai foods we'd ever tasted, and were expensively over-priced at that kind of low quality.
We took the train from Central Station to Blacktown on Thursday morning, and changed to, due to railway works, another train to travel to Katoomba, the major town in the Blue Mountains National Park area. We booked one night at the YHA there. It was not a pleasant experience dealing with the staff. They're all not very professional and friendly. We made there in the morning but had to check-in in the afternoon. We paid our rent on our arrival, but obviously the staff didn't make a record on the computer, and when we checked in in the evening the staff on duty couldn't find our payment record. They kept doubting that we hadn't paid. I didn't fell happy about that. I learnt that the next time I pay any rent I have to remember to get a receipt.
Anyway, after our arrival, we stored our luggages at the YHA, and then went out to walk aroung the area. I have to admit that it is a very beautiful town with so many trees and lovely houses with adorable yards. The YHA is not far away from the Queen Elizabeth lookout in Echo Point, but we didn't know that. We went to the Scenic World on foot, and took all the three of Railway, Cableway and Skyway. The ticket we bought was Scenic Pass for adults which cost AU$28. It was expensive, but I think it's worthwhile. The view was excellent. It was also great to walk the tracks in the dense forest you can get to by riding the Railway or through other paths. The forest there is consisted of a lot of tall trees and ferns. There are also some exhibitions along the tracks regarding the coal mining history in that area many decades ago.
We then walked a long way down the hills to the mid section of Katoomba Fall. It is so beautiful and comfortable at the place. The water of the fall is not abundant due to the lasting drought, but it looks still good when you get close to it. The water drops splashed by wind onto to your face, the great scene of the valley, the birds' chirps, and the quiet surroundings all made us calm and even slumberous.
Later we walked to Echo Point and we walked down the very steep stairs down to the Three Sisters. It was scary walking down the stairs, but it's worth it. The views was great. There are many lookouts along the tracks in the whole area. But I have to say the Queen Elizabeth Lookout beside the information center truely have the most stunning scenery, and it's also the easiest one to get to.
The next day, today, we took a tour to Jenolan Caves at AU$60 for YHA members including couch transportation to and back from Katoomba and the ticket of the guided tour to Lucas Cave. The caves are maintained by a reserve trust. It took more then 1 hour to get to Jenolan Caves from Katoomba, we dozed off on the way.
You definitely have to go to Jenolan Caves if you go to the Blue Mountains. We don't know how it looks like in the other caves there, but it is absolutely breathtaking in Lucas Cave. I can't describe it well. You can find it out by going there yourself or looking at the photos I took through the link to my photos on the left.
We came back to Sydney in the evening at about 8:30PM. We should have come back earlier, but we missed the previous train by 1 minute, and had to wait until 6:24 when there was another train from Katoomba to Central Station. The train ride usually takes only 2 hours between Central Station and Katoomba on a single way ticket for adults at AU$11.60. Check the City Rail website for train fare details.
I spent about 200 dollars on this trip including train fares, YHA accommodation of 8 persons dorm, tour couch fares, Scenic World ticket, Lucas Cave ticket, and food. You can spend a lot less then that because I spend too much money on foods and drinks. By the way, do never attempt to try the Thai restaurant closest to Blue Mountains YHA on the street before the YHA. There are 2 Thai restaurants on this street, and we picked that one and definately regretted. Their foods were certainly the worst Thai foods we'd ever tasted, and were expensively over-priced at that kind of low quality.
the Next Stop, WA
It has become clear that my next stop in Australia will be at a cherry and strawberry farm in Western Australia. I'll fly to Perth on 16/Oct with Qantas(AU$285).
So far I've almost been to all the major cities in Australia. This time I'll stay in Perth for only one night, and will go to the town, Mount Barker, near the farm on the next day. However, I'll stay for more days when I finish my work at the farm 3 months later.
I've not done any farm work yet. I believe that it'll be tough to work outdoors, but I have to hang on for at least 3 months for that I'm now considering apply for a 2nd WHV, and so doing seasonal works for 3 months is essential.
I will not stay for another whole year. The reason I might apply for another year is merely due to that I might will not have time to go to certain destinations if I work for another few months straightly. I need money to assist my journey, and so works are a must. After the works I'll have to go to Broome, Cairns, the Great Barrier Reef region, and maybe Tasmania. I think I won't have enough time to complete the list if I stay for only one year. So I'll might need another one or two months.
I truely hope that I can save some more bucks and have a not-too-bad time in Mount Barker.
So far I've almost been to all the major cities in Australia. This time I'll stay in Perth for only one night, and will go to the town, Mount Barker, near the farm on the next day. However, I'll stay for more days when I finish my work at the farm 3 months later.
I've not done any farm work yet. I believe that it'll be tough to work outdoors, but I have to hang on for at least 3 months for that I'm now considering apply for a 2nd WHV, and so doing seasonal works for 3 months is essential.
I will not stay for another whole year. The reason I might apply for another year is merely due to that I might will not have time to go to certain destinations if I work for another few months straightly. I need money to assist my journey, and so works are a must. After the works I'll have to go to Broome, Cairns, the Great Barrier Reef region, and maybe Tasmania. I think I won't have enough time to complete the list if I stay for only one year. So I'll might need another one or two months.
I truely hope that I can save some more bucks and have a not-too-bad time in Mount Barker.
Saturday, October 6, 2007
the Australians
像再過兩週我在澳洲就待了半年了
時間過得非常快
就這幾個月來的感覺
我認為澳洲白人真的很怪
我覺得很不喜歡
我和許多台灣來的朋友都覺得
澳洲人又懶又笨卻又相當自以為是
我們在hostels裡
也最不喜歡跟澳洲人共處一室
他們通常生活習慣都很差
對於衛生很不重視
有他們在的房間通常會變亂
而且他們也不太願意跟我們聊天
像我現在住的房間裡就有兩個澳洲人
其中一個還好
另一個根本不理人
不過我也不在乎
在工作上
澳洲年輕人懶到了極點
我在麥當勞打工期間
每天都覺得很受不了
我總覺得為什麼我們領一樣的錢
我每次上班都忙得要死
事情一大堆
但是那些澳洲人卻是時常聚在一起聊天聊得昏天暗地
所有的事情都慢吞吞
廚房裡一團亂也不會打掃
我覺得對比上台灣人實在勤奮太多了
甚至大部分的台灣人根本就都是工作狂
可悲的是就算如此
一般台灣人賺的錢還是比澳洲人的平均值低上太多了
時間過得非常快
就這幾個月來的感覺
我認為澳洲白人真的很怪
我覺得很不喜歡
我和許多台灣來的朋友都覺得
澳洲人又懶又笨卻又相當自以為是
我們在hostels裡
也最不喜歡跟澳洲人共處一室
他們通常生活習慣都很差
對於衛生很不重視
有他們在的房間通常會變亂
而且他們也不太願意跟我們聊天
像我現在住的房間裡就有兩個澳洲人
其中一個還好
另一個根本不理人
不過我也不在乎
在工作上
澳洲年輕人懶到了極點
我在麥當勞打工期間
每天都覺得很受不了
我總覺得為什麼我們領一樣的錢
我每次上班都忙得要死
事情一大堆
但是那些澳洲人卻是時常聚在一起聊天聊得昏天暗地
所有的事情都慢吞吞
廚房裡一團亂也不會打掃
我覺得對比上台灣人實在勤奮太多了
甚至大部分的台灣人根本就都是工作狂
可悲的是就算如此
一般台灣人賺的錢還是比澳洲人的平均值低上太多了
Friday, October 5, 2007
the Routine of My Life
Regarding the word 'routine', I do not mean eating, sleeping or other everyday chores. What I mean is work and income. My life has been always constrained by money. I can not spent too long a time doing no works. In fact, I reckon most people can't. And it's even worse when you're living in a place where things are expensive, or when you have desire, lust for materials.
On this day, 05 Oct 2007, a new stage of my life begins. That is not something exciting nor that I would feel happy about. That is the beginning of my 30s. What a rapid speed our lives, or the time of our lives, moving forward. I remember when I turned 20 I was still studying in college, and at that night I wondered when I will be and what I will do ten years later. Voila, here's what it is, backpacking in Australia with not much money left. Sounds invigorating? I cannot concur with that.
From this point of time, I am a middle-aged man to most youngsters. Though I can still pretend to be a college student due to the fact that I do not look too aged, but I my mind I know something's got to be different. I feel more responsibilities to my own life. I can no longer care not about my career. The current backpacking thing is temporary. There might be only 6 months left. After this, I have to return to my homeland and be really serious about my future. For I'm not wealthy, I need constant and steady income to support my old life. And I have to endeavor to bring my hope to reality.
What will I do and where will I be ten years later? I ask myself again. I do hope at that time I won't feel like the previous ten years are lost in vain. But what will ensure that? I believe a heap of money and the success in career will do. So that is really nothing special. They're just routine to the majority of people.
On this day, 05 Oct 2007, a new stage of my life begins. That is not something exciting nor that I would feel happy about. That is the beginning of my 30s. What a rapid speed our lives, or the time of our lives, moving forward. I remember when I turned 20 I was still studying in college, and at that night I wondered when I will be and what I will do ten years later. Voila, here's what it is, backpacking in Australia with not much money left. Sounds invigorating? I cannot concur with that.
From this point of time, I am a middle-aged man to most youngsters. Though I can still pretend to be a college student due to the fact that I do not look too aged, but I my mind I know something's got to be different. I feel more responsibilities to my own life. I can no longer care not about my career. The current backpacking thing is temporary. There might be only 6 months left. After this, I have to return to my homeland and be really serious about my future. For I'm not wealthy, I need constant and steady income to support my old life. And I have to endeavor to bring my hope to reality.
What will I do and where will I be ten years later? I ask myself again. I do hope at that time I won't feel like the previous ten years are lost in vain. But what will ensure that? I believe a heap of money and the success in career will do. So that is really nothing special. They're just routine to the majority of people.
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
the Return to Civilization
昨天深夜我終於離開了Moree
搭了1個半小時的飛機回到Sydney
飛機延誤了半小時
所以我到了10點多才到Sydney機場
上次到Sydney是從Mildura搭Greyhound到Central Station下車
這次從機場還要搭train到Central Station
跟Brisbane的機場線一樣貴
短短三個站的距離就要13.20元
我想我是絕不會再回Moree了
關於那裡工作的一切
我想全部忘掉
那裡我會想起的將只是每天一片廣闊蔚藍的天空還有晚上滿天的星辰
(所以他們county的網站自稱The Big Sky Country, 意思就是除了天空之外什麼也沒有的地方)
那裡的人算是挺和善
不過就跟澳洲其他地方一樣
偶爾也會遇到讓你覺得是racist的人
澳洲目前的旱災真的很嚴重
Moree那個地方在我住的2個月內
只有兩天下了短短一、兩個鐘頭的虛弱細雨
野外都是一片枯黃的草原跟乾裂的土地
樹林也是一片缺水的樣子
因為氣候非常乾燥
所以我的皮膚整天都非常不舒服
尤其是雙手因為每天工作的緣故
常常要洗手跟吹乾
所以甚至有很多小裂隙跟紅疹
希望回到海岸邊能夠好一點
我這次在雪梨不會待很久
應該兩週之後就會離開了
目前的當務之急還是要趕快找下份工作
搭了1個半小時的飛機回到Sydney
飛機延誤了半小時
所以我到了10點多才到Sydney機場
上次到Sydney是從Mildura搭Greyhound到Central Station下車
這次從機場還要搭train到Central Station
跟Brisbane的機場線一樣貴
短短三個站的距離就要13.20元
我想我是絕不會再回Moree了
關於那裡工作的一切
我想全部忘掉
那裡我會想起的將只是每天一片廣闊蔚藍的天空還有晚上滿天的星辰
(所以他們county的網站自稱The Big Sky Country, 意思就是除了天空之外什麼也沒有的地方)
那裡的人算是挺和善
不過就跟澳洲其他地方一樣
偶爾也會遇到讓你覺得是racist的人
澳洲目前的旱災真的很嚴重
Moree那個地方在我住的2個月內
只有兩天下了短短一、兩個鐘頭的虛弱細雨
野外都是一片枯黃的草原跟乾裂的土地
樹林也是一片缺水的樣子
因為氣候非常乾燥
所以我的皮膚整天都非常不舒服
尤其是雙手因為每天工作的緣故
常常要洗手跟吹乾
所以甚至有很多小裂隙跟紅疹
希望回到海岸邊能夠好一點
我這次在雪梨不會待很久
應該兩週之後就會離開了
目前的當務之急還是要趕快找下份工作
Saturday, August 25, 2007
Moree, the Extreme Boredom
I left Sydney for Moree by Country Link train, AU$58, on the 7th of August. This is a very small and rural town in the north east plain of New South Wales. This place is closer to Brisbane than Sydney.
It has a population of less than 3000 people. The downtown, if there's such a thing, is very small and nothing special. Actually the whole town is full of nothingness and boredom. If I was not working here, I don't want to stay here for any single day.
I'm currently working at the McDonald's here, and I'm living at one of the managers', Ben's, house for 80 bucks a week. The Macca's about 15 minutes of walking from where I live.
I found this work through a post by Sharon, an agent at Bligh job agency, on Travellers at Work. She told me that I can work for as many as 60 hours or more a week, and the pay would be at least 17.5 bucks per hour. But in the first week I earned only 200 bucks, because I did not have many working hours. Same condition in the 2nd week, only because they called me to work on last Sunday, on which the pay is much more at about 25 bucks per hour, so I can earn 500 bucks.
I was already worried last week about my lack of working hour. Someday last week Sharon called me concerning my current condition. I had told her that I did not work enough, but she seemed to did not call my manager. She just told me that should I have any problem just call her. When I saw my next week's roster a few days ago I found that I still would have very few hours, I felt very depressed and disturbed. Moree is a place so boring. If you're not workinh you've got nothing else to do except for sleeping or watching TV. And since I came to such a place from the biggest city I especially felt that I was wasting my time in Australia.
So I called Sharon a few days ago to tell her that I still would not get enough hours next week and my concerns. She latter finally called my manager, and then my manager promised me that he will give me more. I then already get more hours in these 2 days. Like today I started working at 6AM, and then got a rest at 4PM, and then will go to work again from 9PM to 11:30PM. I feel really exhausted now, but I finally get what I want that is the chance to save some money for my latter travels.
I currently live with a Dutch guy, Haije. But he's been working here for more than 2 months, and he's leaving tomorrow. He's saved more than 5 grands in these 2 months. I would like to work like he does, but that would be really tough to me. I feel really very tired.
In these few weeks, the things I had done were merely working, sleeping and watching TV. I didn't even have an opportunity to access the internet. Just today I used my manager's computer to check my emails and hop on here to make a record of my dull life here.
I don't like most of the coworkers at the Macca's. So far I havn't yet found any single Australian that I like. They're simply arrogant and making me feel unpleasant. I will have to endure and tolerate everything in the coming months of working here. And I do not know when will I have another chance to get online...
It has a population of less than 3000 people. The downtown, if there's such a thing, is very small and nothing special. Actually the whole town is full of nothingness and boredom. If I was not working here, I don't want to stay here for any single day.
I'm currently working at the McDonald's here, and I'm living at one of the managers', Ben's, house for 80 bucks a week. The Macca's about 15 minutes of walking from where I live.
I found this work through a post by Sharon, an agent at Bligh job agency, on Travellers at Work. She told me that I can work for as many as 60 hours or more a week, and the pay would be at least 17.5 bucks per hour. But in the first week I earned only 200 bucks, because I did not have many working hours. Same condition in the 2nd week, only because they called me to work on last Sunday, on which the pay is much more at about 25 bucks per hour, so I can earn 500 bucks.
I was already worried last week about my lack of working hour. Someday last week Sharon called me concerning my current condition. I had told her that I did not work enough, but she seemed to did not call my manager. She just told me that should I have any problem just call her. When I saw my next week's roster a few days ago I found that I still would have very few hours, I felt very depressed and disturbed. Moree is a place so boring. If you're not workinh you've got nothing else to do except for sleeping or watching TV. And since I came to such a place from the biggest city I especially felt that I was wasting my time in Australia.
So I called Sharon a few days ago to tell her that I still would not get enough hours next week and my concerns. She latter finally called my manager, and then my manager promised me that he will give me more. I then already get more hours in these 2 days. Like today I started working at 6AM, and then got a rest at 4PM, and then will go to work again from 9PM to 11:30PM. I feel really exhausted now, but I finally get what I want that is the chance to save some money for my latter travels.
I currently live with a Dutch guy, Haije. But he's been working here for more than 2 months, and he's leaving tomorrow. He's saved more than 5 grands in these 2 months. I would like to work like he does, but that would be really tough to me. I feel really very tired.
In these few weeks, the things I had done were merely working, sleeping and watching TV. I didn't even have an opportunity to access the internet. Just today I used my manager's computer to check my emails and hop on here to make a record of my dull life here.
I don't like most of the coworkers at the Macca's. So far I havn't yet found any single Australian that I like. They're simply arrogant and making me feel unpleasant. I will have to endure and tolerate everything in the coming months of working here. And I do not know when will I have another chance to get online...
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