The Pegtown Scribe - Latest Comments

Re: Ukraine: First Impressions

Steven Sirski — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 06:54:56 -0000

Your response is laughable at best, particularly because you didn't have the courage to put your name to it. Sounds like you didn't read any
other part of my website, especially in respect to the comfort zone. Seems like you've grown quite comfortable in the US and are proud of your Ukrainian background. There are quite a few Ukrainians I met in Ukraine that were very nice and I don't think I mis-portrayed them. Thanks for the rather emotional response that really didn't do much of anything and don't bother stopping by again unless you have something significant to say.

Re: Myanmar: Expectations

Steven Sirski — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 23:49:58 -0000

Hi Jill, I got your message and just sent a response.

Re: Myanmar: Expectations

Jill — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 21:26:32 -0000

Hey, I just sent you an email about ESL teaching. very intrigued. Also a canadian. Hope you get the email and are able to email back. THanks!!!

Re: The Way of the Backpacker

Steven Sirski — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 12:49:05 -0000

Items of clothing, hmmm... five or six shirts, 2 pairs of pants, two or three pairs of shorts, sweater, four or five pairs of underwear, some nice shoes, flip flops, socks, and I used to have a pair of work boots but got rid of them. That all fits in one backpack. I carry my electronics in a separate, smaller backpack and sometimes carry a third smaller bag for extra stuff and books I pick up along the way.

Re: The Way of the Backpacker

TC — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 12:21:33 -0000

So how many items of clothing and such do you have? Does it really fit in a backpack?

Re: Coonabarabran, Australia: Outbackpackers and The Art of Farming

Steven Sirski — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 19:02:24 -0000

Hi Ruthy, excellent to hear. Enjoy your time and be safe!

Re: Coonabarabran, Australia: Outbackpackers and The Art of Farming

Ruthy — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 16:34:42 -0000

Hello Steven, thanks for all the informations, you have helped me alot!
I've decided to do the farm training. It might be a once in a lifetime experience...

I wish you a great time in Australia!

Re: Coonabarabran, Australia: Outbackpackers and The Art of Farming

Steven Sirski — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 19:28:32 -0000

Hi Ruthy, it depended a lot on the employer. Some folks included food and accommodation, others didn't. others "included" it by way of taking it off your wages, thus leaving you with $300 cash at the end of the week. I can't say whether or not that is the case but it seems so since $300/60hrs/wk = $5/hr, which is far below the minimum wage. As I mentioned before, West Australia has better wages, though those folks like people who have farm experience. This is just from my farm experience and from those I talked to. Outbackpackers has a Facebook page that you could ask around on as well.

And yes, Outbackpackers only offers you one job. If you choose not to take it, you'd better have a good reason. "Not enough money", I was told, isn't a good one.

Go with your gut. Farm work isn't for everybody. You could also go pick fruit, but those wages fluctuate even more.

I hope that helps. Post again if you have any more questions or concerns.

Re: Coonabarabran, Australia: Outbackpackers and The Art of Farming

Ruthy — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 16:03:30 -0000

Hi, thank you for your reply :)
I'm kinda shocked to read that you only get $300/week and that the wage doesn't even included room and board.
I suppose there isn't much money left after paying for room and board. I thought they have a minimum wage for farm job in australia.
Does Outbackpackers only offer you one job? I mean, is it possible to turn down a job offer
if you don't like it and ask for another one?

Re: Coonabarabran, Australia: Outbackpackers and The Art of Farming

Steven Sirski — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 21:24:06 -0000

Hiya Ruthy, thanks for stopping by. To answer your questions, yes, I recommend the farm training if you're looking to work on farms. It's beneficial both for its safety lessons and as an introduction to what happens on farms.

No one failed the training, though half of the group decided not to take up farm jobs at the end of the week, citing various reasons, some were simply not interested in that type of work.

Getting a job depends on your attitude and the effort you put in during the training course. Think of the training course as your first interview, your job interview is second.

As for securing a job, Outbackpackers has a network of employers they work with. However, you can often find jobs posted on hostel job boards or by visiting smaller towns and asking around. I've written another post on Australian work resources: http://stevensirski.com/aus... And be sure to check the local newspapers for job adverts.

If you're curious about pay, I don't think it was all that great. $300/week was what most people were offered, and most places supplied accommodation for a cheap price. I also had use of a vehicle, though I'm sure that was garnished from my wages. I had to buy my own food, too. The best job I heard was one guy getting a job as a welder for $25/hr, and he stayed there for quite a few months. Better money can be made in WA, though you'll be even more secluded than on the eastern coast.

I hope that helps. Let me know if you have any other questions.

Re: Coonabarabran, Australia: Outbackpackers and The Art of Farming

Ruthy — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 16:28:56 -0000

Hey, the farm training seems to be really adventurous ;) I'm thinking on doing this training in march. I have a few questions ;)
Do you recommend this farm training? Did anyone fail the training?
I'm kinda worried....whether I get a job or not and if the payment is good or not...
Did the others get good jobs?
thanks :)

Re: 3 More Places in Southeast Asia for Coffee

Agness — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 12:46:46 -0000

There are actually 2 places I like: Ca Phe Pho Co and Align 3D Graphic Café

Re: 3 More Places in Southeast Asia for Coffee

Steven Sirski — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 08:37:39 -0000

Thanks Agness. Whereabouts are these coffee shops you mention?

Re: 3 More Places in Southeast Asia for Coffee

Steven Sirski — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 08:35:58 -0000

Thanks Guy for stopping by. I was tempted to by the special edition Singapore Sling glass for an extra $6 but I had no where to put it. I settled for the Sling and some free peanuts instead.

Re: 3 More Places in Southeast Asia for Coffee

Agness — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 07:11:03 -0000

Great post! There are also great coffee shop with a proper Vietnamese coffee (cafe suda) served with ice and whipped cream. I loved it, although I'm not a coffee lover.

Re: 3 More Places in Southeast Asia for Coffee

The Guy — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 06:37:31 -0000

You've done some good research there and thanks for the tips. I've only ever been in the bar at The Raffles but it certainly is getting expensive for that Sling!

Re: Rzeszów, Poland: In nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spirytus Sancti

Steven Sirski — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 23:20:52 -0000

Lol! I had to take a second look. Is that name given by Poles or visitors?

Re: Rzeszów, Poland: In nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spirytus Sancti

Squarnm — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 15:09:49 -0000

The Revolution monument is also known as the Big C*nt for obvious reasons

Re: Pictures

Steven Sirski — Fri, 12 Oct 2012 07:40:20 -0000

Thanks for stopping by!

Re: Some Questions I Often Get Asked About Travelling

Steven Sirski — Fri, 12 Oct 2012 07:40:05 -0000

Seconded and third-ed :)

Re: Some Questions I Often Get Asked About Travelling

Agness — Thu, 11 Oct 2012 03:57:57 -0000

It's funny because I get asked the same questions. Everyone says travelling is like going wild and putting yourself at risk and I can't stop laughing when hearing it. I agree with Steven, the hardest part is leaving, then everything goes smoothly :)

Re: Pictures

Steven Sirski — Fri, 28 Sep 2012 06:40:07 -0000

Thanks for stopping by!

Re: Pictures

T. From Toronto — Wed, 26 Sep 2012 19:58:34 -0000

Nice site. I just discovered it and want to spend some time exploring. Thanks!!

Re: Some Questions I Often Get Asked About Travelling

Steven Sirski — Thu, 06 Sep 2012 10:36:29 -0000

You're absolutely right, Kevin, thanks for posting. The hardest part is leaving the first time. After that it becomes difficult staying in one place.

Re: Some Questions I Often Get Asked About Travelling

The View from Seven — Thu, 06 Sep 2012 00:22:41 -0000

I agree, the key is to "just go".

Many people are, for whatever reason, afraid of going off someone on their own. The first time I traveled overseas on my own in 2006, I was even asked, "Aren't you afraid to go to Australia by yourself?" Afraid of what? It's not Afghanistan -- it's a prosperous, stable democracy with human rights and under the rule of law.

Traveling solo might have carried a stigma at one time, but not anymore. Join a walking tour or a bus trip, and there will usually be a few other solo travelers. It's a good way to meet people from all over the world, as people traveling alone are more approachable than those in pairs or groups.

If anyone reading this thinks it still sounds scary, just book a flight and hotel room for a long weekend on your own in downtown Toronto or Vancouver. Low risk: if you hate it, you'll be back in Winnipeg in 72 hours anyway and you'll never have to do it again. But if you can pull that off, you can do Sydney, Dublin or Amsterdam -- it's just a longer flight, and you'll need a passport.