Music: Little Shadow (Acoustic) – Yeah yeah yeahs
I sadly leave the blue mountains. I’m terribly excited for Melbourne, though. There is nothing that can compare to going to a new city, getting on a plane and changing scenery. I’ve finally even gotten used to taking planes. Total piece of cake.
I’m excited for Melbourne for a few reasons:
1. EVERYBODY who has either lived in or travelled Australia talks about how amazing Melbourne is; and those who
know me, tell me how much I’ll love Melbs. Something about the cafe and arts culture….??
2. New Couch Surfing Hosts who like nicknaming people after animals and who enjoy fun facts and people.
3. Road trip with Ben (my new Bff, in case you didn’t know…more about ben in a future post)
4. Coffee
5. Art
Great first signs.
I meet a Kiwi on the bus.
He takes me towards the direction I need to go.
I get lost.
I get new directions.
I get on a tram
I avoid paying because i’m a foreigner.
I meet Panda, one of my three hosts.
I meet Walrus, a Floridian (??) also couch surfing. I then meet Turtle and Giraffe, two English also couch surfing.
In walks Seal. These hosts really like hosting. Good.
I am Sea Horse. Is it clear why? Wolf Cub, who has never even met me, except through what he can imagine from
texts and emails has pinned me Sea to the Horse.
There are remains all over the house of other surfers: funny hats, stolen signs advertising sausage rolls and soft drinks, remains of previously nicknamed surfers by their animals frozen in plastic positions, random signs with unintentionally provacotive messages, christmas lights and items to place on mantels. I got the warmest sleeping bag on an 80’s vynil couch in the dining room.
Sunday morning: MELBOURNE!!!!
Breath in the sights (it’s cold!), walk along the Yarra river waterfront, gaze at the unique architecture and monster size bees on buildings. Visit art museums with exhibitions on Dali, Len Lye, Pompeii, and Space. Eat street sushi and walk down the upbeat and funky Brunswick st, Chapel St, Toorak St and really, every other street in Melbourne.
Sunday, Monday and Tuesday were three days, spent on foot, discovering the hidden alleys of Melbourne and trying a new little cafe’s coffee every day while staring at the colourful grafitti; I walked through numerous parks, I looked at new architecture and old architecture and took photos of both. I ate at small little vegetarian Hare Krishna places, I stared out at the ocean from the boardwalk. I met awesome and motivational new people and chatted with them over cups of tea on comfy couches and schooners of beer in bars with great atmospheres.
My besty from Brisbane, Ed, came to see me for my last weekend in Melbourne. He is more into ballin’ it in hotel rooms, so I got the glories of sleeping on a King size bed and heating. I had a good time showing him what i knew of Melbourne and catching up and sadly saying a second goodbye. Bye lil’ Ed.
The minute Ed left, I had a phone call from another Brissy mate, Matt. He was down in the south visiting family and invited me over for a big family dinner. His Uncle had lived in Canada and was happy to treat a Canadian to dinner. (I LOVE PEOPLE!!!!)
I met Matts family and died of happiness! They reminded me of how, even though within a family we can all be
so different, at the end of the day, you’re a family and that’s all that matters. They were loud and happy and I had plenty of people to talk to and meet. Matt even had some cute older cousins 
haha. Matts uncle made me poached eggs on toast in the morning… how could a day start any better??
I <3 Melbourne.
