Well after a long stint in Bowen packing tomatoes we decided to go with some friends up to Townsville. (Wrong way of course as we should be heading south.) The tomatoes would have been fine but the hours were a little low due to their season coming to an end. We decided that by going to Townsville we would have christmas with some friends and stay in a house and do some work on the Mangoes as they have a six week season that is full on and money can be earned very easily.
GOOD IDEA AY!!!!!! AY!!!!!!!!AY!!!!!!!AYYYYYYY!!!!!!! was it BOLLOCKS!
Now the pickers start at six and work until four with two half hour breaks. You get paid $15.50 an hour and you basically work as if you are on contract work. (quickly) They drive purpose built machinery up the rows and four guys go on each side and place the fruit on the machine (Throw) and it gets washed and put in boxes to take to the shed. Theres not much shade and its hard work. What people will idly tell you is that mangoes are hard work and they will roll their eyes at you and shake their heads when you mention you may work picking them. What they don't inform you about is that mango sap is at the far end of the ph scale of alkalines. This means that it causes caustic burns. I did two days picking and have been to hospital twice. The sap has given me a whole body rash that itches 24/7. It has also burnt my feet and put blisters on my ankles. Also my lower legs and feet have swollen up so it looks like i don't have any ankles. This doens't happen to everyone but be aware that if you don't feel right you are not right and you should leave the area immediately. I have been informed that it wil take two weeks for my body to return to normal. Thats two weeks of sleepless nights. High power anti histimines during the day and night do help and chemists can prescribe them over the counter BUT do not take 3 Phenergan at once as i was told to do as you won't get up the next day. So should you wish to earn money working the mangoes i suggest a shed job or your head checked.
You have been warned travel safe.
