Saturday, June 12, 2010

Day 21: How Did It Take 21 Days for There to Be a Barbi?

Today was my first day of washing gear for hire. I caught a ride to the shop with Sam and Lois at an absurdly early 7. There wasn't much for me to do in the way of work until the shore dives for the day got back, so I sat in the back classroom and started reading for my Equipment exam. I was sharing the room with Peter, who would stop working every so often to dispense some of his worldly wisdom or to wake me up from my impromptu naps.

Things picked up in the afternoon. Before the rental gear was returned, I filled tanks for the next day's dives. Doing my very best not to blow the compressor, I filled with reckless abandon. Around 3, the divers returned, their soaking gear in tow. I ran around, rinsing fins and regulators, shampooing wet suits, and generally soaking the bejeezus out of my jeans. I managed to get the gear washed and stowed with some help from the others and headed home. I do not envy the kid who does that every weekend.

Tonight Kristy - one of the instructors - had a BBQ, my first in Australia. Considering the country's reputation for "throwing a shrimp on the barbi" I'm shocked it's taken this long. Winter is no excuse for not living up to stereotypes.

Lois and I walked over to Kristy's after getting ready, stopping at the bottle shop on our way. She selected two bottles of a nice red, and I chose for myself a full-bodied Carlton Draught. There was no way this night could turn out badly. We arrived and were given a quick tour of the apartment. I was then kicked out to the porch to grill with Pixie and Carl.

We spent the next hour or so doing what men do best: cooking meat outside. Despite immolating the sausages, we did an incredible job on the steaks, much to everybody's surprise. We remained outside for dinner, so we could enjoy the fruits of our labor, and so Carl could give me hell for being American. When it seemed as though some of the girl were enjoying their wine a little too much, most of the guests headed for home. Lois insisted on staying a while longer before we walked home with Emma. I had had a glass of wine myself and went straight to bed after downing some water, in hopes of staving off the wine hangover.

Yours in Nighttime Hydration,
Robert

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