SCAM: naive boy goes to the big city

Unfortunately, just when I thought I pulled myself together and started feeling comfortable in Sydney, I had reached the bottom. I became a victim of an accommodation fraud which cost me 1200 AUD (=1000 euro). A mixture of my naivety, need for cheap accommodation and time pressure with a professional set-up made me walk impulsively straight into a trap. Based on false documents which included the landlord’s ID, identification of property and signed lease contract, I decided to hand over one month rent and one month deposit cash through a money-transfer service called: Western Union, upon which I should have had received my keys. Though, the keys had never arrived. I know I have been very stupid and too trusting, and it was a very expensive lesson to learn. I went down to the police-station, but they had said that this was not a police matter, as I voluntarily gave her the money. They had recommended me to take a lawyer if I wanted to continue with the process. But I don’t have the money or time for a lawyer, and I have not much ground to stand on as the documents were highly likely to be false. Also the insurance company couldn’t do anything for me because it concerned a risk I took myself. Many tears had fallen, within a crowded internet café and inside the hostel, but I could not let this put me down for much longer.

Because I was thinking – philosophy alert – that we were all probably born naïve. And as time passes by and life happens to you, bits and bits of that naivety erodes away from our self. Sometimes upon experiencing something nasty, like that accommodation scam bitch, chunks of naivety can be taken away from us. So that leaves me wondering – What will be the end product of this process? What will distinguish happy old people from bitter old people?

Wisdom?

Attitude, perhaps?

I caught myself not smiling, nor singing or whistling the couple few days. I don´t want to end up bitter by society. So I left this scam behind me and came down back to earth with a new found positivity. After all, I came here to chase my dreams and in order to do so I had to take some risks. Sure I could sit on the sofa at my parent's place for the rest of my life: nice and safe. But I didn’t; I took my chances. Back to earth!

I still needed to find an accommodation, and valuable time was slipping by. Luckily, Sean, the landlord of my first found accommodation still had the room available for me. So my wandering days were over and I had left the hostel to move into my new room! (Pictures will follow). I felt such a relief by having my own space here in Sydney (and not sharing a dorm with 5 other loudly snoring men). Finally I could start buying things I need for my stay here. I bought a second-hand mountain bike and I really enjoy riding a bike here, which is a lot cheaper compared with the expensive bus rides. As you may recall from the maps picture of my first accommodation; there’s a huge park separating my house from the Garvan Institute. I tried out the route today and it was such a pleasant bike ride, although I do must bear in mind that I need to stay on the left side of the road. Apparently many foreign students tend to get run over here. I bought a second-hand guitar which I am really happy about since it has great therapeutic effect on me. And I purchased running shoes! I noticed that Sydney is a very athletic city. Everywhere you look at you see people working out, with the coinciding hot, sharpened, and muscular, tanned bodies. I can look right? Sport gear is also very cheap in Australia. I bought qualitative running shoes for only 30 AUD (= 25 euro)!

Therefore, today was a very sporty day: I ran in the park, cycled to the beach and for the first time swam in the ocean! I love the sea here! It is so clear, and blue, and wavy. I must say I kept looking out for sharks and I didn’t dare to go further than only a half meter deep. But maybe next time I can build it up with a few inches and see how it goes (read: not getting bitten by sharks) I am going to try to keep on doing this triathlon for every weekend!

Fortunately, Leiden University gave me reasons to smile again as I have received great news! The two courses I followed in September and October at LUMC, Clinical Research in Practice (statistics e.a.) and Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation and immunomodulation were both graded with a nine! Moreover, my Leiden Universiteit Fonds application has been nominated for the Janneke Fruin-Helb beurs; excellent LUF application grant of 2,250 euro. The results will be announced at November the 15^th. Exciting!

p.s. thanks for all the supportive emails I received. I really appreciate it. Much love. Vincent