Family is a wonderful thing, whether you grew up with them or you are meeting for the first time you have a connection to hold onto, as some distant relations at my second cousin once removed's (I think) wedding proved when we discussed our long line to relation, crying "you're family" embracing me, literally. The invite alone was testament to my lovely family. I had not previously met Will so it was an honour to be able to attend the wedding and meet him, his new wife, and much more family!
The wedding was beautiful. Seeing the Midsummer Night's Dream seating plan for the dinner tipped me off straight away, Will and Lucie are my kind of people. A lovely ceremony in a lovely setting was followed by dinner with a lot of wine and then even more dancing. We danced the night away finishing up with Bohemian Rhapsody, which the DJ was shown is not a song to be cut off in the middle. When he stopped the music it continued in the bellowing voices of those of us remaining on the dance floor.
The next day a catch up with a family friend continued my trip. Intending to drop in for a chat of course turned into a good few hours talking and catching up on the gossip of our mutual acquaintances. It was juicy gossip too, involving prison sentences and babies with disputable fathers!
Family is of course something which is not all smooth sailing and in the case of my brother's fiance the bumps have been many. A lot of the family have not gelled with her so I was nervous to meet her, but we did ok. I found her a bit rude in a couple of conversations but most of the time she seems reasonable and I could get on with her. I made my attempts at suggesting the both of them make more effort in communicating with my parents so hopefully they take heed of that. And hopefully neither of them stumble upon this blog because wouldn't that be a touch awkward! Ha. It was genuinely lovely to see them, though.
Having dinner with (two of) my cousins and aunt was a great catch up. They enquired as to when my brother would get married, no date set but we all promised to be there with bells on whether they want us or not. We were told it will be a Pagan ceremony. My older cousin was an absolute gem and bought me a few sweet gifts. Wine, cider, and shower gel, carefully checked for vegan suitability.
Spending a few days with brother and fiance wasn't the easiest game since they are both fairly solidly interested in not much more than games, but we did our best and even passed the time with a few games, getting granddad playing Wii (Nintendo land) and xBox (drums on Guitar Hero). He is a bit of a dark horse and was actually not bad at them!
We also got to see my younger cousin a second time for a drink in Leicester between taking a wonder round the shops and down the river. Then yesterday granddad and I set off for home with a stop on the way to visit someone else dear to me- Shakespeare.
Stratford-Upon-Avon is beautiful, whether Shakespearean heritage interests you or not the town is lovely, centered on the river, bustling with tourists, on that particular day enjoying fantastic sunshine. We got tickets for the hop-on hop-off tour bus and visited Anne Hathaway's Cottage, the church where Shakespeare is buried, his birthplace, and Mary Arden's (his mother's) farm. The history is fascinating, both of the families and the period. Well worth a visit.
Now back in Maidstone I have spent a day shopping and made plans to see more old friends. Home is keeping me well.
Tuesday, 29 July 2014
Tuesday, 22 July 2014
Enter Nostalgia
As was expected the nostalgia on this trip is strong, and I've made a good start on it.
On Thursday, a brilliantly hot, sunny day, with no particular plans, granddad and I decided we must go and enjoy that sunshine. I picked Tonbridge castle, a place that was prevalent in my childhood. We used to go there for things like Scout and Guide parades, and we often swam at the swimming pool nearby. So we drove via Yalding and Paddock Wood (both very relevant to me as some of you will know, if anyone is reading this other than my mum) to Tonbridge, and went for a lovely walk at the castle. It was a scorching hot day so after a while a cool down was in order so we bought ice lollies and sat in the park. I had to bust a move or two on a playground pole but forgot to get any photos.
Friday I went up to London and met up with Connor. We visited the Queen and then visited Georgia at the pub she works at. Georgia wins really, would visit her over the Queen any day. We had a good NZ in London moment there, then Connor and I continued on our adventure, got some takeaway lunch things to eat in the park, and walked round stumbling on the sights (Big Ben & Houses of Parliament, London Eye) then we were too bloody hot and went to Costa Coffee for cold drinks. Then Connor took me on a wild chase because his phone's map did something funny and sent us the wrong way for his interview, so we hopped in a cab to rectify our problem, then I headed back to Victoria Station to journey home. South Eastern trains gave me the proper service, complete with 40 minute delay.
On Saturday I had a family visit, seeing Aunt and cousins in Paddock Wood, meeting their playful pup (who is actually quite a large dog that thinks it is small enough for jumping up). That was about it for then, quite in contrast with the hectic day in London.
After that lull in excitement the feeling about Sunday is something like this: fhaungfjfrknhgsjk!!!!nfkdsngkj!!!!!!
Keyboard mashing is the closest I can come to describing it in writing. I was off to see my childhood best friend, after at least 8 years apart. I think we both had apprehensions. What if we don't get on now we're grown up? Does the other drink and party? Do we still both love walking, swimming, playgrounds, Disney, a good mix of sweets and healthy food? We can now ecstatically report that we are still a house on fire. Over the two days we shopped, cafe'd, ate salad, walked, swam, bowled, all while reminiscing, and we made plans for two weeks time when I get to see her again!
I also met her fiance and their two lovely wee girls of the feline persuasion, Poppy and Milly. I heartily approve of this little family and I am super excited for them and their exotic wedding later this year, which my heart truly desires to attend but my bank account is sulking.
Thursday, 17 July 2014
The Great British Summer
The next big step on my life journey: home. After 8 years I have now returned to the place which I grew up in, the place I will always call home. I have a month to cram in a whole lot of catching up with people and a bunch of sight seeing, not of the usual tourist type, but of all the places I loved growing up here.
I spent an awfully long time getting here. With 8 hours on a bus and roughly 24 hours in the air, adding in all the bits in between I had about 45 hours travelling, and only got about 5 hours sleep in that time. It was my first time flying with Singapore Airlines and I am pleased to say the experience was good. Service and food was good (good as aeroplane food gets). As is usual for me on flights I couldn't get to sleep and watched a lot of movies.
Landing in London brought a fantastic feeling to me, seeing the sights which I left behind 8 years ago. Then I exited Heathrow to the 30 degrees, blue sky, sunny afternoon. A stop off at Tesco's for a sim card and a couple of food items, and I was at my home for the month, grandad's house.
I managed to stay up until 9.30pm, and slept until around 7am, waking up a couple of times in between. Now at just past 8pm I am just beginning to tire again so I think I can say I have successfully beaten jet lag, as long as I don't stay up terribly late tonight!
With another brilliantly warm summer day today I had a good start to my trip. A pretty relaxing day with a few chores sorted out. I managed to leave my phone charger behind in Auckland so I went to buy a new one, then we got some groceries, and then went off to the farm which my granddad used to work at to pick cherries. He gets invited back every year for some cherries, among other things including the work christmas dinner, and I feel very lucky to be benefiting from that this year! We picked lots of cherries, ate plenty as we picked and brought a big bowl home.
After lunch my great aunt and uncle came round and we think the last time I saw them was at my mum's cousin's 40th birthday party, which was 14 years ago, when I was 7, so that was a good catch up despite me having been too young to really remember them from previous meetings.
I made potato top lentil pie for dinner since despite saying it is not right I spend my holiday cooking my granddad has accepted that I actually love cooking and he can expect me to do plenty of it while I am here.
Nothing planned for tomorrow, but friday I am headed into London to see Connor, and hopefully Georgia too... both people I know from NZ. Figures the first friends I catch up with are not actually childhood friends but highschool ones, but whether it has been 6/7 months or 8 years all catch ups I am sure will be fantastic.
I spent an awfully long time getting here. With 8 hours on a bus and roughly 24 hours in the air, adding in all the bits in between I had about 45 hours travelling, and only got about 5 hours sleep in that time. It was my first time flying with Singapore Airlines and I am pleased to say the experience was good. Service and food was good (good as aeroplane food gets). As is usual for me on flights I couldn't get to sleep and watched a lot of movies.
Landing in London brought a fantastic feeling to me, seeing the sights which I left behind 8 years ago. Then I exited Heathrow to the 30 degrees, blue sky, sunny afternoon. A stop off at Tesco's for a sim card and a couple of food items, and I was at my home for the month, grandad's house.
I managed to stay up until 9.30pm, and slept until around 7am, waking up a couple of times in between. Now at just past 8pm I am just beginning to tire again so I think I can say I have successfully beaten jet lag, as long as I don't stay up terribly late tonight!
With another brilliantly warm summer day today I had a good start to my trip. A pretty relaxing day with a few chores sorted out. I managed to leave my phone charger behind in Auckland so I went to buy a new one, then we got some groceries, and then went off to the farm which my granddad used to work at to pick cherries. He gets invited back every year for some cherries, among other things including the work christmas dinner, and I feel very lucky to be benefiting from that this year! We picked lots of cherries, ate plenty as we picked and brought a big bowl home.
After lunch my great aunt and uncle came round and we think the last time I saw them was at my mum's cousin's 40th birthday party, which was 14 years ago, when I was 7, so that was a good catch up despite me having been too young to really remember them from previous meetings.
I made potato top lentil pie for dinner since despite saying it is not right I spend my holiday cooking my granddad has accepted that I actually love cooking and he can expect me to do plenty of it while I am here.
Nothing planned for tomorrow, but friday I am headed into London to see Connor, and hopefully Georgia too... both people I know from NZ. Figures the first friends I catch up with are not actually childhood friends but highschool ones, but whether it has been 6/7 months or 8 years all catch ups I am sure will be fantastic.
Friday, 30 May 2014
The Journey Continues
My amazing time in Aus may have come to an end, but the journey never stops. Whether you are travelling across the world, across your home country, or locally, you are always on a journey. I realise I rather let this blog drop off which I never intended to do. Now my head is feeling very cluttered so I decided it would be a good time to resume blogging, get some of the jumble out of my head, and update the world (ie the very few people that will read this) on what I have been doing.
Thinking back, my last entry came just before I returned to NZ. I had an uneventful journey back. The only thing that stands out in my memory is waiting for my bus from Manakau to Hastings. The only place open at the time, around 7am, was McDonalds. I went in and got a soy hot chocolate which was pretty gross, and used the free wifi. Whilst I was in there a guy at the next table leant over and asked me "Hey, what does that word mean?" pointing to a word in his horoscope. I don't remember what the word was, but I told him what it meant, and we chatted for a few minutes. Then a guy that had been on my flight and also wanted to use the wifi was struggling to get onto it and came and asked if I'd got on and if I knew why it wouldn't work for him. He had just not hit the log on button or something really simple so I was able to help. I felt like an agony aunt. An agony aunt with jet lag.
After a week in HB I set off for Wellington to spend some longed for time with my man. By which I mean I drove 4 hours each way for curry noodles at Aunty Mena's.
The next exciting entry in my schedule came on the 3rd May. ARCTIC MONKEYS. Seeing my favourite band live, I don't think will ever get old. They were fantastic. There were two songs which I particularly hoped they would play but they didn't. Everything they did play was perfect though.
That night kickstarted my busy and exciting month of May. The next morning I embarked on my first trip to the South Island. My parents and I did a bit of a whirlwind tour:
4/5- sailed Wellington-Picton, drove along Queen Charlotte's Drive (this involved intense motion sickness) to Nelson, where we spent the night. The motel we stayed in there I rate highly so shout out to them (http://www.delorenzos.co.nz/).
5/5- drove Nelson-Punakaiki (Pancake Rocks). We messed up a turning on that drive so it took us an hour or two longer than it should have, but Pancake Rocks is so worth it. I'm sure my geophysicist boyfriend is glad I think so. After Punakaiki we drove on to Franz Josef and checked into a motel. The motel owner gave us a nice tip about some nearby glowworms so we were able to take a late night stroll and marvel at those amazing creatures.
6/5- started the day with Franz Josef glacier. Poor weather meant the safe point to walk to was quite a way from the glacier, but we could still see it. Then we went on to Fox Glacier, which similarly we could not get close to but still amazing stuff. Then we drove to Queenstown for our next stop.
7/5- here we took the opportunity to relax, with no long drives planned immediately. We found hot chocolate and wifi and walked round the town. We wanted to go to the local pools but discovered they were closed for maintenance. Then in the evening did something mum and I were excited for and dad probably could not have cared less about, the ice bar. I went to an ice bar in Koh Samui and I think I will continue to visit ice bars whenever I am in the same town as one. Mum and I had yummy icy cocktails and we took lots of photos and then we went to the bar next door to warm up with mulled wine.
8/5- up early and onto a coach for a long but beautiful drive to Milford Sounds. We booked a day tour to do this which included coach there and back, and a boat trip round the fiord when we were there, which couldn't have been better. It was a beautiful day and we were lucky enough to see dolphins, who spent a good amount of time following the boat and playing in its wake.
9/5- drove to Lake Tekapo where we stopped off for a dip in the hot pools. Then continued to Timaru where some friends of ours live and had a wonderful catch up with them.
10/5- Akaroa. Quaint beach town just south of Christchurch. I had a really awful experience being yelled at by the man in the fish and chip shop. I then checked the reviews for the shop and found out that he does that to customers often, so while the town is lovely, the fish and chip shop is to be avoided. Lots of other places to eat, and we found a better dinner experience at La Thai. Yes. "La" Thai. The town is French influenced and a few places make a good joke of that.
11/5- drove to Kaikoura and saw the seals. They are such sweet creatures. Big cute lazy blobs.
12/5- back to Picton for our return ferry to Wellington.
That was the end of the South Island trip but not the end of being busy, with good things of course. My graduation was the next day, so all my uni friends were in town. We all met up for dinner and a catch up which was awesome. Then graduation! Finally have that nice sheet of paper to certify my degree. Graduation robes are fun, because you have wings. That's right. I'm an adult with a degree.
My parents headed home the next morning but I stayed on in Wellington with the boyfriend and managed to catch up with more people there. Then on the monday (19th) I had to get back to HB because on the 20th mum and I went to Auckland for even more excitement. Michael Bublé! His show was really great. He is an excellent entertainer with an amazing vocal talent.
That Auckland trip was the end of the excitement of May really. The past week I have just been chilling out at home, watching a lot of House, getting emotionally exhausted over the UCSB shooting and everything that is riding on the back of it, and hanging out with one of my top girls making rainbow cupcakes as therapy to cope with the depressing state of the patriarchy in which we live.
This writing stuff down business is good and I am hoping that by typing this update speel I will manage to clear my head enough to do the writing I really love, poetry. My head has been too much of a jumble to comprehend making any particular poetic order of it.
Thinking back, my last entry came just before I returned to NZ. I had an uneventful journey back. The only thing that stands out in my memory is waiting for my bus from Manakau to Hastings. The only place open at the time, around 7am, was McDonalds. I went in and got a soy hot chocolate which was pretty gross, and used the free wifi. Whilst I was in there a guy at the next table leant over and asked me "Hey, what does that word mean?" pointing to a word in his horoscope. I don't remember what the word was, but I told him what it meant, and we chatted for a few minutes. Then a guy that had been on my flight and also wanted to use the wifi was struggling to get onto it and came and asked if I'd got on and if I knew why it wouldn't work for him. He had just not hit the log on button or something really simple so I was able to help. I felt like an agony aunt. An agony aunt with jet lag.
After a week in HB I set off for Wellington to spend some longed for time with my man. By which I mean I drove 4 hours each way for curry noodles at Aunty Mena's.
The next exciting entry in my schedule came on the 3rd May. ARCTIC MONKEYS. Seeing my favourite band live, I don't think will ever get old. They were fantastic. There were two songs which I particularly hoped they would play but they didn't. Everything they did play was perfect though.
That night kickstarted my busy and exciting month of May. The next morning I embarked on my first trip to the South Island. My parents and I did a bit of a whirlwind tour:
4/5- sailed Wellington-Picton, drove along Queen Charlotte's Drive (this involved intense motion sickness) to Nelson, where we spent the night. The motel we stayed in there I rate highly so shout out to them (http://www.delorenzos.co.nz/).
5/5- drove Nelson-Punakaiki (Pancake Rocks). We messed up a turning on that drive so it took us an hour or two longer than it should have, but Pancake Rocks is so worth it. I'm sure my geophysicist boyfriend is glad I think so. After Punakaiki we drove on to Franz Josef and checked into a motel. The motel owner gave us a nice tip about some nearby glowworms so we were able to take a late night stroll and marvel at those amazing creatures.
6/5- started the day with Franz Josef glacier. Poor weather meant the safe point to walk to was quite a way from the glacier, but we could still see it. Then we went on to Fox Glacier, which similarly we could not get close to but still amazing stuff. Then we drove to Queenstown for our next stop.
7/5- here we took the opportunity to relax, with no long drives planned immediately. We found hot chocolate and wifi and walked round the town. We wanted to go to the local pools but discovered they were closed for maintenance. Then in the evening did something mum and I were excited for and dad probably could not have cared less about, the ice bar. I went to an ice bar in Koh Samui and I think I will continue to visit ice bars whenever I am in the same town as one. Mum and I had yummy icy cocktails and we took lots of photos and then we went to the bar next door to warm up with mulled wine.
8/5- up early and onto a coach for a long but beautiful drive to Milford Sounds. We booked a day tour to do this which included coach there and back, and a boat trip round the fiord when we were there, which couldn't have been better. It was a beautiful day and we were lucky enough to see dolphins, who spent a good amount of time following the boat and playing in its wake.
9/5- drove to Lake Tekapo where we stopped off for a dip in the hot pools. Then continued to Timaru where some friends of ours live and had a wonderful catch up with them.
10/5- Akaroa. Quaint beach town just south of Christchurch. I had a really awful experience being yelled at by the man in the fish and chip shop. I then checked the reviews for the shop and found out that he does that to customers often, so while the town is lovely, the fish and chip shop is to be avoided. Lots of other places to eat, and we found a better dinner experience at La Thai. Yes. "La" Thai. The town is French influenced and a few places make a good joke of that.
11/5- drove to Kaikoura and saw the seals. They are such sweet creatures. Big cute lazy blobs.
12/5- back to Picton for our return ferry to Wellington.
That was the end of the South Island trip but not the end of being busy, with good things of course. My graduation was the next day, so all my uni friends were in town. We all met up for dinner and a catch up which was awesome. Then graduation! Finally have that nice sheet of paper to certify my degree. Graduation robes are fun, because you have wings. That's right. I'm an adult with a degree.
My parents headed home the next morning but I stayed on in Wellington with the boyfriend and managed to catch up with more people there. Then on the monday (19th) I had to get back to HB because on the 20th mum and I went to Auckland for even more excitement. Michael Bublé! His show was really great. He is an excellent entertainer with an amazing vocal talent.
That Auckland trip was the end of the excitement of May really. The past week I have just been chilling out at home, watching a lot of House, getting emotionally exhausted over the UCSB shooting and everything that is riding on the back of it, and hanging out with one of my top girls making rainbow cupcakes as therapy to cope with the depressing state of the patriarchy in which we live.
This writing stuff down business is good and I am hoping that by typing this update speel I will manage to clear my head enough to do the writing I really love, poetry. My head has been too much of a jumble to comprehend making any particular poetic order of it.
Tuesday, 8 April 2014
Roos and Didgeridoos
Since the unfortunate beginning at my temporary Perth abode things there looked up considerably. The housemate is beyond apologetic for his initial behaviour and I have been offered everything from cups of coffee to extra pillows during my stay now.
As for my time in Perth, Perth city is uninspiring itself, but the surrounding areas hold some true gems. As most people know there is seaside town Fremantle. It has a great atmosphere. I spent an enjoyable few hours there with my friend on Saturday. We walked round the markets, got Asian food for lunch (Thai for me, Chinese for him) and were privy to two extremes of busking. While we ate lunch an unfortunate young man sang nearby. He was, to put it lightly, not very good. People at the tables were joking that they wanted to pay him to stop, and singing along to That's What Makes You Beautiful with parody lyrics, "you don't know that you can't sing." Once we departed the Asian food hall area we found a real treat to make up for the awful singer. We had the pleasure to discover The Badpiper. I don't enjoy bagpipes as a rule, but this was fantastic. I will let his website fill in the detail. http://www.thebadpiper.com
After Freo we headed to Swan Valley, another gem. We met up with a couple of my friend's friends and they were excellent company over a few local beers at the Duckstein Brewery, then at their house over some more drinks, and didgeridoo. I had a wee play of the didge and could make a steady sound but playing properly seems to need rather a lot more practise than one drunk Saturday night.
Sunday was another excellent day. We headed to the hills and went to an Irish pub where we drank cider in the company of kangaroos. I will add photos to illustrate that, among other things, when I am reunited with my laptop in a couple of days.
Yesterday I had mondayitis so instead of touristing I stayed in and made good use of my friend's kitchen. I baked the gooeyest brownies, and oreos in chocolate chip cookies.
Today I was going to be cultural but discovered the art gallery is closed on Tuesdays and the museum is not very exciting. Tomorrow evening I depart and journey through the night back to NZ. My trip has been just the break I needed but funds dwindle and it will be nice to return to my own bed, a wardrobe instead of a suitcase, my cat, and some certain people.
As for my time in Perth, Perth city is uninspiring itself, but the surrounding areas hold some true gems. As most people know there is seaside town Fremantle. It has a great atmosphere. I spent an enjoyable few hours there with my friend on Saturday. We walked round the markets, got Asian food for lunch (Thai for me, Chinese for him) and were privy to two extremes of busking. While we ate lunch an unfortunate young man sang nearby. He was, to put it lightly, not very good. People at the tables were joking that they wanted to pay him to stop, and singing along to That's What Makes You Beautiful with parody lyrics, "you don't know that you can't sing." Once we departed the Asian food hall area we found a real treat to make up for the awful singer. We had the pleasure to discover The Badpiper. I don't enjoy bagpipes as a rule, but this was fantastic. I will let his website fill in the detail. http://www.thebadpiper.com
After Freo we headed to Swan Valley, another gem. We met up with a couple of my friend's friends and they were excellent company over a few local beers at the Duckstein Brewery, then at their house over some more drinks, and didgeridoo. I had a wee play of the didge and could make a steady sound but playing properly seems to need rather a lot more practise than one drunk Saturday night.
Sunday was another excellent day. We headed to the hills and went to an Irish pub where we drank cider in the company of kangaroos. I will add photos to illustrate that, among other things, when I am reunited with my laptop in a couple of days.
Yesterday I had mondayitis so instead of touristing I stayed in and made good use of my friend's kitchen. I baked the gooeyest brownies, and oreos in chocolate chip cookies.
Today I was going to be cultural but discovered the art gallery is closed on Tuesdays and the museum is not very exciting. Tomorrow evening I depart and journey through the night back to NZ. My trip has been just the break I needed but funds dwindle and it will be nice to return to my own bed, a wardrobe instead of a suitcase, my cat, and some certain people.
Thursday, 3 April 2014
Turn Your Clocks Back By 3 Hours
Final day in Melbourne, now first day in Perth.
I am going to miss Melbourne very much, but there are definitely things calling me away right now so Melbourne long term will have to remain a dream for the future.
Thanks to the hostel for being home even though I hated sharing a kitchen and being woken up most nights. There were some great people there which made it fun as well as often insufferable. Thanks to family friends here for having me stay for a weekend and for receiving my new passport for me. And the hugest thanks to the Melbourne vegan group, people who fast became my friends and showed me most of the best vegan food Melbourne has to offer. It has been amazing. Thank you, and goodbye.
I am in Perth now. Local time 16.51. Melbourne time 19.51. NZ time 21.51. I have been up since 6.30 Melbourne time after having a very poor night of sleep. I am exhausted.
I haven't been into the city yet. I came straight from the airport to Midland, where I am staying with a friend. Unknown to me until this morning he moved yesterday and had not mentioned to his new housemate that he had a friend coming. Housemate also works nights, so tired after an early start and a 4 hour flight I unwittingly woke this guy up and he proceeded to yell at me. Hoping I can still stay my intended 6 nights with my friend without maddening this housemate any further because I do not fancy returning to hostels.
I am going to miss Melbourne very much, but there are definitely things calling me away right now so Melbourne long term will have to remain a dream for the future.
Thanks to the hostel for being home even though I hated sharing a kitchen and being woken up most nights. There were some great people there which made it fun as well as often insufferable. Thanks to family friends here for having me stay for a weekend and for receiving my new passport for me. And the hugest thanks to the Melbourne vegan group, people who fast became my friends and showed me most of the best vegan food Melbourne has to offer. It has been amazing. Thank you, and goodbye.
I am in Perth now. Local time 16.51. Melbourne time 19.51. NZ time 21.51. I have been up since 6.30 Melbourne time after having a very poor night of sleep. I am exhausted.
I haven't been into the city yet. I came straight from the airport to Midland, where I am staying with a friend. Unknown to me until this morning he moved yesterday and had not mentioned to his new housemate that he had a friend coming. Housemate also works nights, so tired after an early start and a 4 hour flight I unwittingly woke this guy up and he proceeded to yell at me. Hoping I can still stay my intended 6 nights with my friend without maddening this housemate any further because I do not fancy returning to hostels.
Tuesday, 25 March 2014
"No, you can't say cock."
I reached a point in Melbourne today. The point of being able to walk through the city and bump into someone you know. New places always bring the joy of anonymity, but over time that will certainly dissolve. You reach a point where you occasionally see people you know when you go out, and as you spend longer somewhere these interactions will become more frequent, until you reach a point where it seems impossible to go out without bumping into someone you know.
For now Melbourne will remain for me a place where I occasionally bump into someone I know, because I am temporary in this place. My flights are booked and in a little over a week I move on. I will find anonymity again in Perth, but then I will return to the intense familiarity of HB where I do most often bump into acquaintances when I go out.
This past week I certainly continued finding the phenomenal food around the city, but I have also returned to my happy place which counteracts the food addiction and found a wonderful pole and aerial studio to immerse myself in. With a special offer 2 week unlimited casual class entry deal I have been taking all the strength and stretch classes I can. My muscles are sore but so happy to be working again. Time off really effects the fitness level.
But back to food! I've been introduced to Lentil as Anything, a fantastic organisation which works on pay as you feel and volunteer staff. I have been to the Abbortsford branch, twice for dinner and once for breakfast. The atmosphere is great and the concept fills me with warmth and joy. Everyone should be able to eat and Lentils is an embodiement of this. The second dinner I had there was on friday, world poetry day, and I even did some open mic. I am still distressed by that however as the poetry event was run by a youth organisation I was told I had to be PG, which ruled out rather a lot of my writing.
I also had my second taste of vegie bar (Brunswick St, Fitzroy) where I got a great tofu burger sandwiched between roti bread. We followed this up with frozen yogurt at Berrissimo which unfortunately was in its last week of trading. Definitely discovered that one too late. But I still have La Panella. Look out, food porn!
For now Melbourne will remain for me a place where I occasionally bump into someone I know, because I am temporary in this place. My flights are booked and in a little over a week I move on. I will find anonymity again in Perth, but then I will return to the intense familiarity of HB where I do most often bump into acquaintances when I go out.
This past week I certainly continued finding the phenomenal food around the city, but I have also returned to my happy place which counteracts the food addiction and found a wonderful pole and aerial studio to immerse myself in. With a special offer 2 week unlimited casual class entry deal I have been taking all the strength and stretch classes I can. My muscles are sore but so happy to be working again. Time off really effects the fitness level.
But back to food! I've been introduced to Lentil as Anything, a fantastic organisation which works on pay as you feel and volunteer staff. I have been to the Abbortsford branch, twice for dinner and once for breakfast. The atmosphere is great and the concept fills me with warmth and joy. Everyone should be able to eat and Lentils is an embodiement of this. The second dinner I had there was on friday, world poetry day, and I even did some open mic. I am still distressed by that however as the poetry event was run by a youth organisation I was told I had to be PG, which ruled out rather a lot of my writing.
I also had my second taste of vegie bar (Brunswick St, Fitzroy) where I got a great tofu burger sandwiched between roti bread. We followed this up with frozen yogurt at Berrissimo which unfortunately was in its last week of trading. Definitely discovered that one too late. But I still have La Panella. Look out, food porn!
Situated on Preston High St, 30 mins train ride from the city, this bakery is a vegan heaven. Super cheap, everything was about $2. Pies, cakes, slices, pizza bread, and donuts, delicious and vegan. I will definitely be going back before I leave Melbourne.
I will shut up about food soon, but since I mentioned everything else I will mention Panzerroti (Flinders Lane). These are like pizza pastie kind of things, and they have a vegan on demand option, so you just pick ingredients from a list and they make it fresh. Delicious, and just round the corner from where I am staying, so no doubt I will sample another combo of ingredients before I go.
Also worthy of a mention from the past week was seeing Cock, the current Melbourne Theatre Company play. It was moving and amusing, and suitably raunchy, much to the shock of the two old ladies seated by me. What did they expect from a play called Cock?
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