flagstaff gardens - seagul eating my apple
I really have to say that i am starting to regret having my bag stolen :( i am not one for regrets but its continuing to put obstacles in my way and i am getting fed up. i have just been to the "worlds bank" HSBC and i feel as if i may well as have an account somewhere else. after venting my frustrations (as politely as you can through gritted teeth) with the customer advisor, she admitted herself that the term "world bank" is a common misconception!! so i say, look, i need your help, explaining my situation in detail handed her my passport etc. she said that i would only be able to withdraw my daily limit (fair enough) but that i would be charged $25 FOR WITHDRAWING MONEY FORM MY OWN ACCOUNT!!! apparently the banks are not linked to reduce the hacker risk??? so my HSBC bank account in england cant be accessed by HSBC in Aus??? GO FIGURE! ok, ok, so can i go over to the counter and just get my cash? oh, no, that will take 2hours.
reminded me off something from ghostbusters 2
why is that? your information needs to be auth. but i have just given you my passport (photo ID) my security number that only i know, all my account details etc. sorry come back at 3pm!!! i also wanted my debit card sending to the sydney branch rather than the english branch they sent it to. oh, you have to ring a different number but only in english time??!!! i walked out biting my lip to fight back the tears. i walked across the road to a body piercing place - dont worry - i havent got to the self-harm stage yet. i just wanted another nose stud as i lost myn whilst surfing. the poor guy didnt know what was coming when he kindly asked if i had had a nice day.... poor boy!
so after drinking a calming cappuccino, i pull myself together and take the lonely planet walking tours round the city.
the library. i was sat writing my journal on the small patch of grass on the right hand side
oh by the way, whilst i was in the cafe i thought i would read a magazine to see what posh spice is upto nowadays (i heard she had a real short haircut) and i decide to read my stars for the 1st time in years.... "keep an eye on your financial situation" - no shit sherlock!! anyway, to be honest there isnt much to see. its very much like manchester. large, built up area, tall buildings etc.
well i have made it to the end of the walking tour. and currently sat outside victoria state library. this is the last stop on the tour, so i call in the library where the security guard nearly sent me over the edge! having just left the HSBC for my 3pm appointment to collect my cash, and told that although i was able to withdraw $575 they would only give me $550 (taking into account the emergency funds charge!) so i kindly asked (explaining my predicament again) if she would kindly let me have the full $575 and debit the charge to my account.
flagstaff gardens
simple? of course not! i was told that because my account is in england and not linked they cant credit/debit anything to my account. so if i wanted the extra $25 i would have to go to the first lady i saw and have to go through the whole rigmarole again. FORGET IT, JUST GIVE ME THE MONEY BEFORE I GRAB YOUR HEAD AND SQUEEZE IT THROUGH THE GAP JUST BIG ENOUGH TO SLIDE PAPER UNDER!!!!! So... back to the library security guard... you have to check you bag (like airports) so if it fits in the holder you are allowed to enter the library with it. if not you have to get a locker and collect on the way out. luckily my bag fit through. the security guard asked if i had any food.. yeah, i have a museli bar (dont ask my why i said yes, i have no idea!!) sorry you cant come in then. but i wont eat it in there.
queens market - this carpark was the biggest cemetery in melb b'wn 1838 & 1920. over 9000 bodies buried here
well, so you want to eat it now? no, i dont want to eat it now, ia m not hungry. sorry you cant come in. well cant you just look after it for me til i come out? he reluctantly offered to put it in his cupboard til i came out. i walked off as he was still scolding that this was a one off, that he wouldnt do this again etc. etc! at that moment i felt like michael douglas in the film falling down. thank god i didnt fancy a bacon and egg mcmuffin!!!!!
as i walked back to the station, i felt as though i walked passed a hundred ATM's and they were laughing at me, taunting me because i could use them! taxi for one please!!
they day got much better tho, as my drivers licence and credit cards arrived at ange's house. so at least i can get to sydney and brisbane like i planned :))
speak soon xxx
p.s. i no longer regret having my bag stolen.. i was just having a bad day! :)
