So rather than reply to each and everyone of you individually, i decided to be lazy, or ultra efficient - depends on which way you look at it, and do a blog.
So I've now been here in Melbourne for just under 2 weeks.
Basically here is a summary of what has happened since the plane touched down a fortnight ago.
Sailed through customs, walked outside was met my Paul..grabbed trolley and quickly wheeled over to the green car that Dave was driving. nb: Paul and Dave are friends both kiwis who I am staying with and Deryn (Paul's Aussie girlfriend), oh and the 2 cats - Inigo and Fezzick.
Their flat is located in a suburb called Richmond, which is East of the CBD. A very handy location 5 mins walk to Bridge and Swan streets = lots of good cafes and shops within walking distance. Plus about 15 mins on tram into CBD.
1st weekend
The flatmate's went away on a weekend cycling trip, I was invited but I opted to stay behind and settle in for the weekend and just get to know the city. Trammed into town and walked around the CBD, joined up local video store, enjoyed strolling around neighbourhood, eating vege burger from nice burger joint up the road, fending of 2 greedy and cheeky cats, trying to work the fancy coffee machine and failing miserably.
1st week
Decided I could allow myself a holiday before the job hunting stuff. So basically spent the first week visiting various suburbs and areas, whilst enjoying the odd sleep in.
I have since visited the following places.
1) Victoria Road - this is where my aussie bank branch is located. Basically a lot of vietnamese and thai businesses. Sometimes i actually felt like i was in Vietnam, street is lined with various asian groceries and the owners and customers alike speaking their native tongue, great to hear.
2) Bridge Road (a main road in Richmond) - lined with cafes, delis, clothing shops a whole choice of different food joints, people sitting on the road enjoying cafe food and coffee and sometimes their small dogs accompany them. I found a really nice place that makes traditional italian style soups - really yummy.
3) Brunswick St
Located north of CBD, this is like the Cuba Street area, except on a bigger scale. Lots of young, arty types hang there. My kinda place, heaps of great clothing stores and alternative style shops. I had to be VERY restrained there. But once i'm earning some cold hard cash i'll be back in a flash.
4) Chapel St
This is the richy area, people with money go here. Hence I only looked in the shops and didn't buy anything.
I went to see the latest Woody Allen movie in a movie theatre here, they play more arty types of movies, similar to Paramount or Penthouse. nb: i enjoyed the movie, Larry David was in it and he was funny - those who enjoy Curb your Enthusiasm might enjoy.
Also I went to a dance class, the studio is located just off chapel street and after class, while i was waiting at the tram stop saw one of the girls in my class (she looked about 25 max) driving what looked pretty similar to that of an audi convertible....???!!! how is this possible???
Anyway that's what i've been up to all sightseeing.
With flatmates i've done the following:-
- Beer and curry at local pub
- Bike ride into town on Sunday to go to Indonesian Food Festival at federation square
- Dinner at cafe followed by play at theatre called The Apocolyptic Bear Triology...actor in bear costume with voice identical to Alan Rickman...odd play...all a bit dumbfounded after..
- Shopping for veges at the local market
- drank the following beverages:- brandy and dry, vodka and dry, beer of some description, coffee
- movie at some theatre in some suburb (aussie film by director of Shine, starring Clive Owen) quite good
Finale of this post.
1) still hunting for job. had interview with recruitment agency for job also signed up with them for temp work, she's putting me forward for interview with company, will prob find out next week what the deal is there.
2)flat hunting , gonna see a place on saturday , but due to lack of income at moment may need to hold off, as getting flat means rent + bond upfront , usually months worth and don't think i can realistically afford that quite yet. Plus Paul, Deryn and Dave are really awesome and said there is no rush for me to be out and can stay as long as i need until i get myself financially sorted and as long as i keep up the good dishwashing duties..
Well there you have it folks , that's this installment.
I'll keep you updated via this method if there is any interesting news to report, otherwise i'll just write something fairly mundane.
Keep cool till after school
EM
aka - the girl with the strong kiwi accent, a number of aussies have commented....oh dear
