Background story continued:
So, I was added to this “Sistas” Facebook group, and not long afterwards, I started to see posts from many different women about many different things:
“Where can I buy this hair product?
“Who knows where they sell plantain?
“Anyone seen this article yet?”
Etc. Etc
Women posted genuine questions and received genuine responses from each other, no matter how big or small. I quickly recognized the value of such an honest and open group, and was happy I’d been added.
A few weeks before I was due to depart, I had an idea. Why not post in this group to see if any one of these ladies had a room rent in Sydney? That way, I’d help out another woman with rent, but I’d also have the ‘safety net of the sisterhood’. If ya get me.
Thus, I posted this exact message a few days later:
Hey everyone!
My name is Alyssa and I’m from Antigua & Barbuda in the Caribbean. I’ve been traveling through NZ in 2018 and I’ve decided to move to Sydney come mid – February. I’ll need to find a place to live/room to rent so was wondering if anyone knew of a good landlord or rents rooms in here where a Caribbean girl could get a safe, quiet, CLEAN space to rent for a few months while in Sydney.
If you know of anything, LINK UP!I’ll also be new to the city and have no friends. So if you’re open to having a new one, let me know 🙂
END of message
Simultaneously, I searched online – Facebook and rental websites – for a room to rent. And let me tell you, I instantly realized it was HEX-pensive (T*: “expensive” You have to add an ‘h’ for that Jamaican effect).
Especially how I wanted to live by myself AND in the central business district? “Hehhey! I was sellin dreams, yes” *in trini accent*. (T: “I had hopeful dreams that were unrealistic.”)
My bank account promptly informed me that not only would I have to share a house and a bathroom (if I was to live in the city), but probably a room as well 🙃.
I was prepared to do it though, I really was. If that’s what it meant to live in the city, I was gunna do it!
While all of this calculation went on in my head…
I checked on my post in the Sistas group a day or two later. And you wouldn’t believe….
Women from all over Australia commented and responded to it. Some were from the Caribbean, others not. Some in Sydney, some in other cities or towns. They welcomed me, wished me well on my journey, provided advice – everything! One woman even offered me her spare room while I searched for my own place! How sweet!
It was crazy, but also amazing. Amazing that I had never met any of these women, but they welcomed me with open arms. I immediately felt as though I had a community to look out for me, ALREADY!
Story sweet, but it get even sweeter!
I received a message in my inbox from someone I didn’t recognize. It said, “Heyy, my name is Jay and I’m from the Sistas group. I saw your post and that you were moving to Sydney soon. I know you’re looking for a place but are you also looking for a job? We are looking for a nanny for our amazing son. We have an extra bedroom and bathroom, so maybe we could make something work?”
Alyssa to Alyssa: “Huh? Is this real? Is this really happening? Bram, juss so?
I immediately sent a friendly response with some follow up questions:
-Would it require cooking? No
-How old is he ? 11
-What are some responsibilities? He’s a busy kid so mainly take him to school and his activities. My husband and I work A LOT so we’d like someone to take him to and from and keep him company.
LADY FROM THE GROUP/POTENTIAL BOSS LADY SAY WHAT NOW?!
We kept talking…
and it was going well, so we proceeded to set up a phone call. That’s where she shared she’s from NYC but is Haitian (Caribbean posse!). Her family moved to Sydney only a few months before from the USA and loved it. She sounded so nice!
We then arranged and had a video call with her, her husband and son (they all seemed so adorable) as things continued to go well.
After more talks and back and forth with arrangements, we decided why not? Let’s try it out!
I’d fly to Australia, do a road trip with a friend, then after I’d move in with the family. I’d officially become their au pair/live-in nanny. We agreed it would be for three months – I planned to dip out before winter came and they thought it would be a good trial period for them as a family.
So by the time I left New Zealand, I had somehow gotten a place to live, food to eat, a job and new roommates – all in one.
Global Gyal say wahhtttttt?!
I’d never met the family in person before. The first time, would be my first day on the job/move in day. It ws February 11th 2019….
0 Comments