Relaxing

I've been trying to relax and take some time off for myself over these last two months. I was so exhausted when I left the States. On the weekends I bike over Hillary's Harbor, pick up the weekend newspaper and enjoy a nice leisurely Australian breakfast at the Italian Cafe on the piers. Then I bike down the coast the North Beach and go for a nice long ocean swim followed by a nice nap in the warm sun in the sand. It is a cheap way to spend a day. The ocean water is warm and clear, with large white soft sand beaches to play on.

I've been seeing a chiropractor weekly since I moved here. Medical services are much, much cheaper here than in the States. My weekly visit costs about $18 USD, which means I can go frequently enough to make a difference. She has been make adjustments to my lower back on this strange torture machine and it is finally paying off. Last week was the first time in recent memory when I did not go to bed with lower back pain. I was able to actually sleep all night long without being waken by pain. It is so nice. I was worried that this weekend's road trip would damage my back, but it did not. She was not thrilled when I told her that I slept on the ground when camping, but I seem to be fine.

Trish is a very good cook and makes some very interesting dinners. Her first husband was Indonesian, and they lived in Spain, so she picked up some interesting recipes. She doesn't use any animal fats and uses plenty of veggies. At least I am eating healthier than in the last year. I usually take the leftovers to work the next day for lunch, and I'm on my own for making breakfast (thank God for 60 second nuked oatmeal).

I think that between trying to limit my working hours to something sane, getting the divorce over with, and simplifying my life, it has been very beneficial. Other than paying my bills in the States once a month, I don't have too much to worry about. I don't have a phone, a car, insurance, groceries, or that much to worry about. Trish does all the grocery shopping, cooking, and laundry. I simply have to pay rent every week, bike to work, and except what I set aside to send to the US what is left (not much, sad to say) is mine to go out to a nice breakfast on weekends.

Since Trish has been doing my laundry I've noticed that my clothes have never been cleaner. I actually had no idea the clothes where that color. I asked her about it and she showed me that the trick is simply finding a good quality soap. I didn't know it makes a difference, but it does. That and the fact that everything gets dried on the clothes line and then ironed probably makes all the difference in the world.

The Perth library gave me a card, so get to check out books. I just finished a book called "Sparring With Charlie" written by this American in 1996 who went over to Vietnam and rode a Russian motorbike down the Ho Chi Mien Trail. It was a very good book that I recommend for anyone.