Friday, April 23, 2010

Townsville: Our last week



My last day of work was April 15th, and although I was ready to get going and explore Australia, Lindsay had convinced me (i.e., demanded) that staying one extra week for us to pack, clean and see friends would be the right course of action. Initially I was concerned that I wouldn't have anything to do and that I would be bored.  That, as it turns out, was a nonsensical worry. Below is a brief rundown of our last week at home:


Friday April 16th: Matt does errands, Lindsay works.  Lindsay calls cleaners for final “move out” clean estimate and finds out the price is $450.  Lindsay slightly loses it.  Matt convinces her they can do it themselves. Dinner at Vine 21 with Chris, Sara, and Andrea. American-style wings and heaps of wine.

Saturday April 17th: Matt does errands, Lindsay works and packs.  Matt and Lindsay come up with detailed plan of attack for cleaning.  Drinks at Anders and Carina's place.  Goodbye party at Jamaica Joes with work friends Martin, Collin, Jeremy, Liz,  Brownie, Denise, Lisa, and others. Matt unable to remember the end of the evening.

Sunday April 18th: Slept in late, Matt cleans and does errands, Lindsay works and cleans.  Dinner at home.  Matt cooks Masala Dosa.  Andrea, Chris, and Sara come over for indoor s’mores.

Monday April 19th: Lindsay works and packs, Matt cleans. Lindsay realizes that there is a lot more work involved with cleaning and now regrets her decision to not hire the cleaners.  Lindsay informs Matt that due to her workload, he will have to do 99% of the rest of the cleaning.  This scares her because Matt “has a different definition of clean.” This scares Matt because he is fundamentally incapable of cleaning as well as Lindsay. Matt goes to bank with $909 worth of saved up Australian coins.  Matt buys a suit jacket for $8, a tie for $3, and his new favorite Bundy hat for $2 at the thrift store.  Last night hanging out with Andrea.  Dinner at the Brewery Restaurant.  $1.75 sundaes at Macca's.


Tuesday April 20th:  Lindsay works. Matt cleans, does errands, and discovers Pips homemade pies.  Matt and Lindsay agree it is a very good thing these delicious pies were not discovered earlier. Lindsay gets final haircut with the girl who thinks she's old.  Matt and Lindsay go to final Trivia Night at Molly Malone's with Chris, Sara, and Carina.  Team wins despite minimal participation.  Free drinks and crumb steaks.


Wednesday April 21st: Matt and Lindsay take a “Relax in Townsville” day.  Matt and Lindsay walk Castle Hill, swim in Rock Pool, swim in ocean, go to Osman’s for dinner and sit in cozy spot, and see a movie at the BCC theatre
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Thursday April 22nd: Matt and Lindsay go for last run on strand.  Lindsay works, Matt…you guessed it, cleans.  Lindsay cleans.  Crazy bogan carpet guy comes to steam clean the carpets.  Matt and Lindsay go to the Strand's water park.  Matt and Lindsay open special Villa Maria single-vineyard Sauvignon Blanc and drink on porch.  Matt and Lindsay drive up Castle Hill for one last beautiful sunset.  Matt and Lindsay finish wine and go to Brewery, the location of their first dinner ever in Townsville, for their last dinner in Townsville.   Matt and Lindsay try to finish off the last of the Connoisseur ice cream.  Lindsay is successful, Matt is not.


Friday April 23rd:  Matt and Lindsay get up early.  Lindsay and Matt finish cleaning.  Matt and Lindsay pack up and go to hospital to drop off car and say goodbye.  Matt and Lindsay ride with racist but nice cab driver to airport.  Matt and Lindsay have a drink at the airport cafe.  Matt and Lindsay board the plane.  Lindsay cries.  Matt and Lindsay say goodbye to Townsville.  Matt and Lindsay fly away.

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