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Well hello there!
Sorry it has been a while, been pretty busy settling in here in beautiful Melbourne! It's a really cool city, has kind of a European feel to it, very multicultural and lots to do. The shopping is so good, unfortunatley finances have permitted mainly window shopping only! Yes I am skint, VERY skint! I did a couple of shifts in a cafe to get me some fast cash and do you know how much the guy paid me... $10 an hour (about 4.20 in pounds) so I was none too happy, bloody slave labour! So now I have gone back to what I do best, my budding legal career.... yeah right! I am pulling pints and carrying plates again. The pub is quite big and a LOT different from Bonhams, for one they have rules...and a spillage book! Very daunting! But pay is pretty good for bar work and staff are all nice and sociable. They like to have a drink or too after work (one similarity to Bonhams!) One problem is no one here understands a word I'm saying, and even when they do they think I'm Irish. Ah well, could be worse! I haven't
picked up any aussie lingo yet but have noticed that
everyone says 'how you going?'. Not 'how are you' or 'how's it going' but 'How you going?' It's weird.
I'm staying put in the share house in Richmond which is a good laugh. It is like living in the Big Brother house, a complete random mix of people and the odd bit of tension but generally everyone gets on really well. My roomie is just lovely so that's a big bonus! We've had a few house nights out which have been pretty wild and ended in carnage!
So I have been exploring Melbourne during the days. Generally just wondering around and have found a few little gems, lovely wee streets with gorgeous cafes and stalls. I have eaten a lot of Sushi but this has now been forfeited for rice, and the occassional pot noodle if I want to treat myself! Yep, having no money sucks! Been to a few parks and museums and went up the Rialto tower to see the view of the city. You'll never guess what's in Melbourne museum!! Only Helen Daniels/the Scullys bloody kitchen! Obviously a key feature in Aussie history. And in
the fridge is Scott and Charlene's wedding cake, you would think it would have gone off by now? I got quite excited in one park as there was a big sign saying 'please do not feed the possums' So I sit around eagerly for
ages hoping to see a possum and only left when it started getting cold, very dissapointed having not caught a glimpse of a single one. Why I ask you? Oh because it is apparently common knowledge that they are nocturnal and don't come out at all during the day, silly me!
Then ther was my brush with the law! Oh yes I am a hardened criminal me! So the best way to get about Melbourne is by tram. You are meant to buy a ticket and stamp it in a machine, known as the 'honesty box' because no one ever does. So I was quite happily roaming around town for the first week free as a bird until one day.... So I hop on the tram and about 5 mins into the journey it comes to a sudden hault, and I kid you not it was like a scene from Mission bloody Impossible. 4 so-called
Luna Park, St Kilda
For Neighbours geeks, this is where Max and Izzy came on there day of fun! 'passengers' jump up and yell at everyone not to move, unzip their jackets to reveal their official tram police badges and ask to see everyone's tickets. I quickly pull my spare ticket out my bag and slyly try to stamp it in the machine. Oh no, scary tram man number 1 says 'I don't think so young lady, go and wait over there'. I am thinking 'oh dear I am in a bit of a pickle now'. So scary tram lady number 2 comes over and says the fine is up to $500, things were not looking good....So I start panicking and babbling about how I only just arrived in Melbourne the day before (lie) and I didn't know you had to stamp the ticket (lie) and I'm really sorry (lie). So she obviously doesn't believe me and says she is going to fine me, I am on the verge of tears (fake) and still pleading with her. Big gruff Aussie man starts shouting at the woman telling her to leave me alone and effing and blinding at her. So in the end she let me off with a good old telling off and I have been a good honest
tram law abiding citizen ever since! Phew, close one! My room mate also got cautioned by the police for committing the offence of, dum dum dum, crossing the road before the green man came on! Apparently this really is crime!
This weekend some of us are hiring bikes and cycling along the coast to Brighton Beach which is meant to be lovely, but it ain't exactly sunbathing temperatures. I'm also going to go to an Aussie Rules footie match at the MCG. It's meant ot be really cool. I'm sure I will not understand the rules but hey, macho men in teeny tiny little shorts battering each other, worth a look I say! There are lots more exciting things to do in/around Melbourne like Phillip Island and the Great Ocean Road but I am waiting patiently for Miss Fi Fi to get here to do them! I CANNOT wait till she arrives!!!!!!!!!!!! Not long now! Until then I am going to be saving every dollar for the next leg of our travelling adventures and trying to stay out of trouble!
Bye for now folks, give me gossip please!! And can someone please send me a letter? I am
the only one in the house that never gets any mail! Sob sob!
Lisa xxxx
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Jo Green
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Which Pub?
Dont keep me in suspense Lisa - Which pub?!