Tropical heat wave

Customers trickled in all morning, but, because of tonight's Mardi Gras celebration, which will consume the entire main street, I'd say the cafe will be slammed. The rest of the staff would say "flogged" or "flat out." Any way you phrase it, A Little Different will likely be busier than opening day, two months ago. So, in a few hours I'll repeat my toasty trek down the sloping hill for my last night of work.

Tomorrow I'll head to the beach to join the family with which I've lived, cooked, slept, and worked my entire time in Gayndah. They have graciously absorbed me into every part of their lives and are now including me in their holidays, too.

But with the new year comes more than resolutions. I'm leaving tropical Queensland and heading south along the coast. My companions for this road trip are sisters, one of whom is my future housemate at our final destination: Melbourne, where I'll spend my last seven months in Australia.

The past few weeks of 39-degree-Celsius days have made Christmas seem as far away as America, and, therefore, I've only just realized this is my last chance to send out a holiday greeting. Due to a somewhat secluded beach location and upcoming travel I won't be checking email frequently the next few weeks. My apologies in advance for any delayed replies. Once I settle in Melbourne, in mid-January, I'll be back in touch.