Our homestay

We are currently living in a homestay here in Sydney for the first month. It was difficult to get any other kind of accommodation on short notice and for short term so homestay was a perfect solution. A homestay is a household where an Australian family hosts international students. Each student has their own room is are provided with breakfast and supper. This particular homestay has eight rooms, six of which are used by international students.

Students get up at different times so we usually don't see anyone in the morning. In the evening, all the students and the Australian family members gather for supper. It is an interesting mix at the table, as there are students from Saudi Arabia, China, Thailand, Japan, Jordan, the host's wife is from Taiwan, and now they have a crazy Croatian/Canadian too! :-)

The stories we hear are amazing, especially since the host was born in South Africa and has traveled all over the world. Then, we compare how in/expensive things are here or at home, or we compare customs and laws between countries. I was trying to explain to them how cold it gets in Canada in the winter, but I don't think they got it. The only way to understand -40 C is to experience it. Brrrr!!!!

We are getting really spoiled here as our host's wife is a great cook. It is great setup for us, we come home and the supper is ready! Almost makes us want to stay here a little longer and not hurry to find an apartment. Not to worry, I am working on finding us an apartment and will probably have one reserved for us this weekend.

I am really looking forward to having a place of our own. It has been almost seven months that we have been living like nomads, sleeping at friend's and family's places. We are very grateful for their hospitality! Hope we can repay the favor in the future.