Continued from part 1
part 2 is herepart 3 is here
Leaving Germany for good
I had no job to go to, and only a tourist visa. It was a decision based on passion, not reason.
Everyone in my laboratory understood:
"What? You're going to abandon your career and pack banaaanas for a living?"
My friends encouraged me:
"It won't work. You can't just pack up and leave. You need a secure existence here first, and then... "
You get the picture. But I was undeterred, and the next few years were some of the best in my life.
"Do just once what others say you can't do, and you will never pay attention to their limitations again."
James R. Cook
I travelled around and across Australia several times, worked casual jobs, got some money together, took off again... I left the country every six months, Timor, Bali, South Africa... and renewed my visa on return... I loved my nomad life...
But as I got a bit older, I discovered that I also wanted a real home. Somewhere to return to, and to store my books, my pictures and all the wonderful things that I had collected during my travels. And I longed for a big garden to grow fruit and vegetables again...
I was sick of casual work, which didn't require any skills, and didn't challenge or fulfil me in any way. I also started to think about the future. I didn't want to scrape by on $10/hour jobs for the rest of my life...
To cut a long story short: I managed to acquire permanent residency under the regional sponsored migration scheme (huh?). If an employer in regional Australia can't fill a position locally, but someone from overseas is qualified and wants the job, then they can get permanent residency.
Finally I could get "real" jobs for real money.
Today I am the proud owner of 5 acres of beautiful bush and a house, with magnificent gardens all around that are a haven for our wildlife.
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