Wednesday was a but rough at first, i'll be honest. The trip here wasn't terrible (only 11 hours by bus) BUT we got here around 6 am and I couldn't check into the hostel till noon. So, I just had to chill for a while at Macca's until I could get in. Luckily they have free wifi so I just caught up on stuff and chatted with mi madre for a bit. Muy Bien! Also the guy at the front desk let me throw my bag down a bit early so I at least didn't have ot lug that around. Once I did get in though I IMMEDIATELY showered and slept. Buses unfortuantely are not the best places to catch up on sleep.
When I eventually woke up I wandered out with the intention of getting lunch and afterwards just kept going. I started off with the Melbourne Gaol and learning a bit more about the (in)famous Ned Kelly, passed by the Public Baths, and ended my evening at the Queen Victoria Market! I'll have to head back by there again in the next few days because the amount of food and fun thigns to buy was tooo enormous to take in in one go!
Day 2
A bit more refreshed I spent the day wandering to Fed Square, and exploring some of the art museums. And, I was able to get in touch with some friends who gave me tips on places to go and things to do around Melbs which was awesome! So after a day of simply taking in the city, I went to dinner at Shanghai Dumpling which is an amazingly cheap and DELICIOUS place in Chinatown. Definitely a perk of having a hostel right nearby. Also, because it's Chinese New Year, my friend and I were able to run outside and catch a dragon dance going on with a gajillion firecrackers to celebrate! There will be a parade later this week which we're pumped about=] then got to finish the night by grabbing a drink with a roommate at the bar downstairs. Definitely a successful day.
Day 3
By day three I had officially found my favorite hangout/internet spot: Project 219. It's a SUPER cute cafe nearby my hostel on Russell Street where you can grab a tea or coffee during the day, and then a beer at night. Everyone's super friendly and are amused at how often I come in. Ahh well. So it goes. After my normaal morning internet catch up, I headed over to Fed Square area to finish up some of the art museums. It's funny, I've always liked art, but never been all that into going to art museums on my own. But, after living with the incredible artistry of my girl SL for the past few years, and getting to wander through them with people who really care about it, i've found myself learning to appreciate different styles of art a lot more. I like finding art that moves somethign in me and makes me think about what is being said. The Melbourne Now exhibit at the NGV was an incredible example of modern art and representation of the city.
After checking out the art made from frosting, and the musical exhibit room (super sweet. Had way too much fun), I headed to the Moving Image Museum. OKAY GUYS DO THIS. But really, it goes through the history of the moving image from TV to cinema to internet. It was a really interactive museum where you could make a flipbook of yourself, or do one of those cool shots you see in like the matrix movies and stuff, as well as make a shadow monster of yourself. yeah. I did all that. NBD. Plus, I love movies, so I was super nerding out. They had the car from Mad Max in there PLUS the replica of the windmill from Moulin Rouge!! And a few interviews with my fave director the wonderful Aussie Baz Luhrman=]
Finally, I finished off the day be heading to the Royal Botanical gardens and the Shrine of Rememberance (built to honor those who died in WWI). Day well spent=]
Day 4
This was a glorious day. I started off by wandering around the South Bank chatting with my mum when suddenly I saw a couple people in Doctor Who shirts. I thought, "well that's cool". Then i started to see more and more. And then fezzes on people's heads, and scarves, and bow ties and WHAT?! IS THAT A CYBERMAN?! yeah. Apparently there was a Doctor Who Symphonic Orchestra Special thing going on. And so, my poor mother had to deal with me freaking out as she attempted to have a chat. Eventually I said goodbye and went to take picturew with a Weeping angel and cyberman and just generaally had a great time. Oh also, Peter Davison (the 5th Doctor and David Tennant's father in law) was also there. Yeah it's fine.
ANYWAYS, after that magic happened, I headed to Brighton Beach for the evening. Brighton is famous for these cute little beach boxes that are super colorful. Plus it has a lovely view of Melbourne's skyline. So a wonderful evening of wandering the peaceful beach. Such a good end to the day.
Day 5
Went to the Melbourne campus of Hillsong Church this morning. SO good. It was vision Sunday for Hillsong, so the Hills church (the original) streamed live to their campuses worldwide (they have campuses in 16 countries--london, NYC, Moscow, Paris, Copenhagen etc.). The service was aimed at just giving the church members a vision for what we wanted the year to be like. This year the idea was pioneering, and let me tell you it was just one of those services I NEEDED to be at. They sang the song Oceans, which, if you haven't heard it, you need to. For me, at least, it totally speaks to what I have been doing this year and taking chances, stepping forward and learning to trust without bounds.
Then it was Chinese New Year Celebrations where I was staying ---in Chinatown!=]
Wandered around parks and up to Fitzroy a bit. Really just a chill day.
Day 6--SUPER BOWL
Started the day by heading up to the NGV art museum. I'll be honest. While it was cool, I was more interested in getting to the football game, so I didn't stay super long. Instead i rushed through it and headed to Fed Square where they were having a GIANT Super Bowl party. Complete with american food trucks, bleachers, touchdown banners and noisemakers. My favorite part however was that if you were simply looking at the area you would think it was less of a Super Bowl and more of a celebrate Murica party. There was a Statue of Liberty, and seriously any american jersey people could scrape up was being worn. I saw Packers, Nats (baseball?), 49ers, Celtics (yup bball too), and many many more. it was hilarious and wonderful. Anyways, I stayed there for the 2nd quarter then headed to a pub to meet an American friend I had met at the hostel. We had a great time watching there with some of the most enthusiastic Seahawk fans ever. haha While I unfortunately was the only one rooting for the Broncos, it was fun to watch them freak out and get excited as they pretty much dominated the game and won their first Super Bowl.=]
After the insanity, I packed up my stuff and headed for the train to go up to the Drennan's place! They are some amazing family friends from church who mmoved out here a few years back and were lovely enough to put e up for a few nights. They pastor a church in their town, and invited me to join in for a night where they serve a free meal to the community. It was really fun to see their church in action and just enjoy fellowship and chatting with those people who came to enjoy the food and company!
Day 7
Wandered around Fitzroy with my friend Southern. We didn't do too much but tried some AMAZING chocolate. a berry covered in white chocolate, along with a basil chocolate piece which was surprisingly refreshing.
Day 8
Great Ocean Road! Spent the day seeing all the sites along one of the world's must drive roads=]
Day 9
This was a lovely day in starting with a sweet skype sesh with my good friend Phillip, getting some work done, having FANTASTIC Vietnamese food with the Drennans and ending the night playing with baby wombats and a wallaby!=]
Day 10
Was another chill day preparing for my trip to the outback tomorrow!!
Things i've learned:
1. A lot of Aussies don't use their dishwashers
2. Hanging clothes to dry is WAY more comon than actually using a dryer
3. butter on everything
4. ketchup is "sauce"
5. squeeze some lemon oon your pancakes and top with sugar--it's the aussie way
6. chicken potato chips are a thing
7.pavlova is THE BEST.
8. Shapes crackers are super good are in every Aussie's pantry
