It
must be said: I am envious. Working in the Parliamentary Counsel's
Office here in Perth is a breeze. The facilities these guys enjoy can
only be dreamed of in Kenya. While we have to share computers and
printers, these guys not only have individual terminals, but the place
is littered with printers and copiers. I almost forgot I was in a
drafting office and thought I was in an office supplies shop. Tomorrow
we get to have a look at their drafting software. It is all Microsoft
Office software but it has been tweaked for use by Parliamentary
Counsel; it is great to use.
Compared to Sydney, Perth is a very slow city. In other areas, it is a revelation. While Sydney has its own free bus, Perth has three routes that are completely free and within the CBD, they'll get you to all the important destinations in the city. Like Sydney too, the wireless is fast, really fast. I don't know about affordability though; they do not have the same pay-as-you go system as Safaricom and Airtel offer, but for $30 you get a shit-load of airtime and data.
Perth is set out in grid and it is easy to get around on foot. Sydney has way too many cul-de-sacs and curves; it is very easy to get lost in Sydney. In one key respect, though, Sydney steals a march on Perth; there are way too many lound and angry people on the streets of Perth. They may be friendly most of the time, but you get the impression that the residents of Perth would rather watch you on fire than get water to put you out. The people we've met at the PCO's office, though, have been cheerful and friendly and they have gone out of their way to make us feel welcome and wanted. It is an odd feeling, to tell you the truth. My colleague can't get over the fact that very busy men and women are willing to set their work aside to answer some of our more inane questions.
We have a very tight timetable; every second of each day is allocated to finding our way in and out of the office. We are visiting the upper chamber of Perth's Parliament, the Legislative Council, tomorrow and the lower chamber, the Legislative Assembly, next week. I am looking forward to the visit, especially as we'll be meeting with the President of the Chamber. In Kenya, in contrast, I don't think the Speaker of the National Assembly would set aside an hour of his busy schedule to meet with students on attachment who pay him a visit.
We met with the Parliamentary Counsel and he was as welcoming and friendly as his position would demand. He has a killer office with a view of the Swan River and marina that is to die for. Sadly, my Chief Parliamentary Counsel only has Parliament to stare at or the statue of Mzee Jomo Kenyatta. But he does not seem to have a secretary; the receptionist seems to be the only secretary in sight. We simply walked to his office and introduced ourselves without a gate-keeper eying us with suspicion. It was surreal.
The food in Australia can't shine a candle to the fare back home. Without a reliable source of maize flour, we are forced to rely on supermarket chapatis, and rice and spaghetti. What is it with old people and high blood pressure? Too much youthful indulgence is what I think. My colleague can only eat white meat so we are forced t consume chicken night after night. I want to go home!
The placement is just beginning. Let us see how it progresses over the next fourteen days.
Compared to Sydney, Perth is a very slow city. In other areas, it is a revelation. While Sydney has its own free bus, Perth has three routes that are completely free and within the CBD, they'll get you to all the important destinations in the city. Like Sydney too, the wireless is fast, really fast. I don't know about affordability though; they do not have the same pay-as-you go system as Safaricom and Airtel offer, but for $30 you get a shit-load of airtime and data.
Perth is set out in grid and it is easy to get around on foot. Sydney has way too many cul-de-sacs and curves; it is very easy to get lost in Sydney. In one key respect, though, Sydney steals a march on Perth; there are way too many lound and angry people on the streets of Perth. They may be friendly most of the time, but you get the impression that the residents of Perth would rather watch you on fire than get water to put you out. The people we've met at the PCO's office, though, have been cheerful and friendly and they have gone out of their way to make us feel welcome and wanted. It is an odd feeling, to tell you the truth. My colleague can't get over the fact that very busy men and women are willing to set their work aside to answer some of our more inane questions.
We have a very tight timetable; every second of each day is allocated to finding our way in and out of the office. We are visiting the upper chamber of Perth's Parliament, the Legislative Council, tomorrow and the lower chamber, the Legislative Assembly, next week. I am looking forward to the visit, especially as we'll be meeting with the President of the Chamber. In Kenya, in contrast, I don't think the Speaker of the National Assembly would set aside an hour of his busy schedule to meet with students on attachment who pay him a visit.
We met with the Parliamentary Counsel and he was as welcoming and friendly as his position would demand. He has a killer office with a view of the Swan River and marina that is to die for. Sadly, my Chief Parliamentary Counsel only has Parliament to stare at or the statue of Mzee Jomo Kenyatta. But he does not seem to have a secretary; the receptionist seems to be the only secretary in sight. We simply walked to his office and introduced ourselves without a gate-keeper eying us with suspicion. It was surreal.
The food in Australia can't shine a candle to the fare back home. Without a reliable source of maize flour, we are forced to rely on supermarket chapatis, and rice and spaghetti. What is it with old people and high blood pressure? Too much youthful indulgence is what I think. My colleague can only eat white meat so we are forced t consume chicken night after night. I want to go home!
The placement is just beginning. Let us see how it progresses over the next fourteen days.
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