Experience

Marrakai, Northern Territory, 0822

 

This time I worked in the Northern Territory of Australia, more specific in Marrakai. It wasn’t a working hostel but a private dairy farmer who at that moment had bought his farm for 4 weeks. He was looking for some workers to make his dream coming true because he had a big project. He sounded really friendly on the phone and he asked me how much I wanted to get paid. The accommodation was free and meals were included. He even gave me good advices to find cheap flight tickets and how to get as close as I can to his farm by taking the Greyhound bus. I only had to call him when I jumped off the bus where he would pick up. I had a really good feeling. Could I finally live a good farm work experience after all?

 

After a 4-hour flight from Sydney I arrived in Darwin. It was around midnight. My bus was only at 8:30am and to save some money I decided to sleep in the airport, on the ground. I only slept 4 hours and spent the rest of the time watching movies. The bus took me to Corroboree Park where the farmer, named Vinai, was waiting for me. We talked in the car and I immediately felt that he was a good man.

 

I wasn’t the only worker on his farm. There were two female backpackers from Sweden and two Australian workers. It was a little farm indeed that looked a bit abandoned with really basic accommodation. There was no Wi-Fi or TV (which I didn’t mind) but we had the radio, a small pool and a barbecue. The showers only had cold water but to be honest the weather was such extremely warm at that time that you didn’t need any hot water. But it was good enough for me. Vinai explained me that he didn’t want me to work as hell. This farm had a laid back attitude where you work whenever you want. He warned me that it was going to be really hot and he didn’t want me to work in those conditions but rather to enjoy the pool. I liked the rural area and the relaxed atmosphere. Vinai was a good guy who I really want to help achieve his dream. I finally found an honest farmer where I could work in peace and finish my working days before the East Coast trip.

 

In the first week the guys and I did some fencing, we cut some metal sheets for the future rooms, we cleaned a really messy shed and tidied it back up with all the stuffs. In the weekend I worked for another farm, not far away (300m) from Vinai’s farm. He found this job advert on Gumtree from Hollie and he said that it was a good opportunity to make more money. So I did. Hollie and her husband had a big farm and they were building a fitness centre with a massive outdoor pool. On Saturday I cleaned up the farm. Every tree limb I found, had to be taken and be pilled. Afterwards I put the pile into flames. Hollie gave me (corona) beer after work and meal was also included. When it was time to go to sleep I couldn’t believe what I saw: a queen-size bed with air-conditioning. Just perfect! On Sunday after breakfast I continued to pile the limbs. In the afternoon I started to brush the walls with a mix of cement and a waterproof product. After the weekend I headed back to Vinai’s farm with a good feeling. Hollie and her husband only came to their farm in the weekend because they worked in the city during the weekdays. I was going to miss my queen-size bed, but no worries because they asked me back the next weekend.

 

And then something happened. The happiness was over. I might have bet it that it wouldn’t last. Suddenly I wasn’t welcome anymore. Life was too beautiful I guess. On a Tuesday Vinai took me apart and he said he had some concerns and asked me if I had any ideas what it could be. Maybe I asked him too much money and so we had to reduce my wages. It wasn’t that, but something totally different. Something I would never thought off. The reason why was that I stressed him or let’s say my personality stressed him. He couldn’t stand it anymore that I talked to Alice, one of the Swedish backpackers. If I wanted to stay on the farm I had to change my behaviour and not talk to her anymore, not look at her anymore and not even being kind to her anymore. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing and I said being social and friendly to each other is what people do nowadays, especially between backpackers because you are living in the same misery. But in matter of fact he was in love with that Swedish backpacker and he wanted to have sex with her, so badly. So he was convinced that I was the problem. He thought I was like a threat to him so he decided to kick me out of his farm.

 

That’s what I call a psycho level 9000. The two following days I spent the whole nights apart without talking or smiling. I couldn’t wait to be back on Hollie’s farm. On Friday I packed my stuff and worked the whole weekend at her farm. I was so happy not being at his side anymore. Hollie paid me $450 for the two weekends. Vinai didn’t pay me and he ignored my calls for two weeks.