Gary: How were you able to get started as an international housesitter?
Maryanne: I opted to take off work for a year and do some volunteering and travel. I knew that now could be just the time to respond to one or more tempting ads in The Caretaker Gazette. The one which truly stood out for me read something like, "An animal lover needed to pet and house sit for a Cranbourne, Australia (Melbourne area) family going on holiday for two weeks." I hadn't really thought of going to Australia, but why not? I immediately replied to the ad. The family, Vic and Kerry, and their daughters, eventually responded with news that I was the person they had chosen for the position. I was to arrive a week or so before their holiday and stay until at least the family returned from holiday and then I could stay as long as I wanted. Between the time of our commitment to each other and the actual trip, we corresponded, emailing info about ourselves and photos, so I felt I already knew the Bennetts.
Gary: What were your next steps?
Maryanne: I found a flight that enabled me to take a side trip to Fiji. I opted to spend three nights on the main island of Viti Levu at a small resort near Korotogu (between Sigatoka and Suva). I flew from Fiji to Melbourne and flew home from Brisbane, allowing for latitude in traveling around Australia. I opted to visit Sydney and Brisbane by train, long but interesting rides. Landing in Melbourne at night, I stayed at a hotel near the airport to make it easy for the Bennett family to find me the next morning. Vic and Kerry Bennett, along with their younger daughter, picked me up in the morning and off to Cranbourne, an hour's drive from Melbourne, we went!
Gary: What was your arrival in Australia like?
Maryanne: I liked the family immediately! I had a week before they went on their holiday to get over any jet lag plus learn where to find stores and the train into Melbourne. Most importantly, I learned what the homeove expected in the way of care for their pets and garden. The Bennetts were great hosts: they took me to the beach and then, on another outing, we went to Phillip Island to watch the Fairy Penquins come in at nightfall to cross the beach and climb the grass-covered dunes to feed their young which are stashed in burrows for safety higher up the dunes. Bonnie and Clyde, the cockatiels, had their own simple routine of care and there wasn't much to do with the goldfish in the small outdoor pond. My only crisis occurred during a bad rainstorm one night. I had gone to bed but decided to check that the goldfish weren't being liberated from an overflowing pond and I got out there just in the nick of time to scoop out water. Kerry's tomatoes and roses required daily watering except for rainy days. Australia has been experiencing a drought and there was a restriction on watering the lawn.
Gary: What were some of the benefits that went along with the housesitting assignment?
Maryanne: The Bennetts graciously allowed me access to the family computer which was convenient for staying in touch with family and friends. I had cable TV plus there were great meals-in-the making in the refrigerator and freezer. A very nice neighbor checked on me periodically. The two weeks went by so quickly. I made trips into Melbourne by local train, caring for my charges early in the morning and again when I got home. Day trips gave me an opportunity to visit museums, the aquarium, the zoo, historic buildings and endless parks. One of my most pleasant memories is of a shimmery blue Superb Fairy Wren, unafraid of my presence, landing down at my feet and nonchalantly pecking the area around me.
Gary: Was their anything interesting that you learning from being able to housesit internationally?
Maryanne: I found that Australians genuinely like Americans. When the Bennetts came back, they brought souvenirs for everyone, including myself. I stayed until they settled in and, after a tearful, difficult goodbye, I traveled on to Sydney and then to Brisbane, to explore on my own. I chose to stay at hotels accessible to tours and sites of interest, visiting every zoo, wild animal sanctuary and aquarium possible. Something I will never forget was the thrill of holding little Damien, a koala, while visiting the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary and viewing kangaroos in the bush from the moving train. I also took a tour to Fraser Island and spotted a wild Dingo, right off the road!
Gary: What are your future plans?
Maryanne: Will I go back to Australia? Yes! The Bennetts are having a celebration of milestone birthdays next year and I'll be there. While there, I hope to extend my stay and possibly housesit elsewhere so I can explore more of this distant continent. Thank you, Caretaker Gazette, for making my wonderful trip possible.
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