October 28-31

My night in Byron Bay was pretty uneventful and the next morning I went to this yoga class I found that was in a room that overlooked the beach. But the class ended up being all meditation/breathing stuff that I would have gotten more exercise from if I had stayed in bed, so I left early. I went for a stroll on the beach and then up to a lighthouse/lookout that had neat views, before getting in my car to carry on down the coast. I drove from Byron Bay to Coffs Harbour, another sleepy beach town. I liked it, and the hostel I stayed in was refreshingly friendly. I met this nice German girl who is here fruit picking. I am so glad that Sydnee's plan for us to work our way around Australia by fruit picking didn't work out. I don't think I'm cut out for migrant labor. The day I woke up in Coffs Harbour was Sunday and I went to Coffs Harbour Baptist Church. It was tiny and the median age as in the 50s or 60s, but it was a nice church. The drive has been very scenic, but, other than driving on the other side of the road, I'm feeling more and more like there is very little difference in here and America. Other than how un-populated everywhere is. There is so much land without people living on it. From Coff's I went to Newcastle. Jennifer Hawkins, Miss Universe, is from there. It is the biggest city I've come to since Brisbane with over 300,000 people. It was once a very industrial city, but I thought it was pretty nice. It seems like some areas have become a bit run-down. I stayed at the coolest hostel there, it is in a huge historic building and was very nice and very big. It was right by the beach and there is this neat walk way that someone built like a mile out into the water for viewing and fishing purposes (I guess). When I left Newcastle I drove to Gentry's to surprise her and her roommates that I had a car. They live about a mile from the church and the store (and none have a car) so if they want to go anywhere they have to walk there and back. And if they want to go to the nearest town they have to rely on public transportation; having stayed with them I know how that can get old, so I was excited to be able to offer a shuttle service where ever they wanted to go for the next 24 hours. We all piled in and went to the mall when I arrived. Then I dropped some of them off at church and Gentry and I went to the grocery store to buy stuff to cook dinner with for everyone. We had a fun girls night and this morning I just got back from dropping them all off at school. I need to go for a run, shower, pack up and drive to Sydney to return the car, so I'm off for now. I CAN'T BELIEVE IT IS MY LAST WEEK ON THIS TRIP!!!