Melbourne – Part 1
By the South bank of the river Yarra, Melbourne
It’s strange when a city you’ve never been to before reminds you so much of a place back home. It’s even stranger when you assume, before arriving in that city, that it will be just like somewhere back home, and that ends up being the case. Melbourne and Manchester are, it seems, closer than you’d think. Although you’d never hope to get a picture this nice standing over the Manchester Canal or Salford Quays, Melbourne is as vibrant, artistic and eclectic as England’s ‘capitol of the North’. Even stranger(er) is the amount of Northern placenames Melbourne borrows for it’s suburbs – you’d never guess where I am just looking at this picture alone:
That’s right – I’m in Southport. In fact, there is a suburb named Southport round these parts too. Excellen-tay. But this picture wasn’t taken in Southport, or indeed Preston. Moving on…
The temperature here reached 41 degrees celcius a few days ago – dangerously hot. It was difficult just walking down the street in that kind of heat. I’m still getting to know my way around the city centre, even stumbling across the ‘Neighbours’ tour office on my way into town. I haven’t yet taken the tour, although you’ll be pleased to know it is on my list of activities to do once I get some money. Yes, I know it’s cheesy and ‘saaaad’, but it’s one of things that’s gotta be done whilst in Melbourne.
Street art, Melbourne back-streets
I’m currently living in a hostel in the suburb of South Melbourne known as ‘Bev & Mick’s’ – an Irish-run place situated above a pub (probably a bad thing knowing what I’m like… and they serve draught Guinness… yum…). The communal area of the hostel forms part of the pub itself, ie. the pub runs into the living room and vice-versa. I’ve already lost twice in the pool competition and my results in the Wednesday Quiz have been thus-far, quite pathetic. At least the beer is nice and cold.
I’m looking forward to Mari, my lovely Finnish friend arriving next week to join me in finding work in Melbourne. There’s plenty of cafes in the area, and a large indoor market across the road: I’ve already given my CV in at a few places, so the fingers on my good hand are firmly crossed I’ll get something soon. Otherwise I’m hoping you’ll all be feeling rather generous come February 9th (my birthday)…
J.
Tags: Australia, Random Stuff, Travel
J
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