Melbourne City

Hi all,

I relunctently returned to Australia in late June. Going from fine weather and long long days in North America to the middle of winter in Sydney was no fun at all. But it was good to see some old friends and catch up with everyone. It was hard to believe that half the year was over and I had spent most of it in foreign countries doing whatever I wanted and making some good friends.

When the dust had settled, I had no real direction about what I wanted to do next. I applied for a job teaching English in Japan, and had an interview, but got knocked back. I think you really need to be prepared to teach young children, and I don't think it came across that I was capable of having the patience or capacity to get into that mindset.

And apart from getting on the drink with mates, I was finding Sydney really uninspiring. I guess I was spoilt after having such a great experience overseas, but that experience made me realise how shit Sydney is and it was driving me crazy being back there. After having said so many disparaging things about the place when I was away, it was like having to eat my own puke being back there. It felt like I had given up on my new found ability to explore and challenge myself in a new environment.

Disillusioned with Sydney, and disheartened by the fact that I didn't get the job in Japan, I decided to break things down such that I could make some positive decisions about what I wanted to do. I realised that I still wanted to explore. I also realised that I loved going to sporting events. I also knew that I liked cities that have a vibrant cultural and arts scene. Those of you who know me and know Australia will not be surprised by the fact then, that I decided to try my luck in Melbourne town.

I headed down to Melbourne with a bit of cash courtesy of a large Tax refund. Used to staying in hostels for so long prepared me for staying in Melbourne in the short term. But then, the first weekend I was here I found a job working as a casual delivery driver and kitchen hand for a cafe. The proprietors of the cafe own 4 other cafes all around Carlton in the Melbourne University precinct, so my job is basically to deliver the food to the other cafes three times a day, in addition to delivering any catering jobs, and helping in the kitchen with menial tasks as required.

Not glamorous by any stretch, but every day is different. I start at 7am each day and finish at 3:30pm. I get a free lunch.

What else I love about Melbourne is that EVERYONE knows AFL, has an opinion on it, supports a team, and can share a joke about it. Also needless to say I have been to about 2 AFL games every weekend. The stadiums are awesome and easy to get to. Going to a final with 84,000 people was outstanding. Unlike in Sydney, the footy is also always on the TV when you go into a pub, and the bartender doesn't look at you like you've just asked him to part with a vital organ if you ask to get it on. The newspapers have loads of coverage and expert opinion as well, unlike shit Sydney papers.

After about 4 weeks of working and living in hostels, I was able to find a place to live. Via a website for people looking for flatmates, I moved into a house in Port Melbourne with 2 kiwi broads. The rent is cheap and Port Melbourne is awesome. Loads of pubs, and a great main street with a real little village feel to it. Local markets in South Melbourne, and it is also the spiritual home of the Sydney Swans which is good.

The only real downer is the weather has been freezing cold (by Australian standards). Before this weekend, there had only been one day where the temperature got above 20 degrees celcius since I've been here. Some of the winds have been so strong that they send people home early from work. And the days have been short, but that is all changing for the better.

I also have to send a massive offer of gratitude to my cousin Natalie and her bloke Gary who have taken me to some great bars in and around Melbourne, as well as giving me some tips on getting by in Melbourne.

I guess I am still keeping the dream alive of living and working overseas one day, but for now I'm looking forward to the Melbourne summer. We live about 10 minute walk from the beach, and there is a local cricket team I might join. Not to mention all the sport over the summer, such as the Boxing day Test and Australian Open Tennis. There is also a lawn bowls club in Port Melbourne and plenty of amateur footy teams around if I think my body can handle it next year.