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Published: February 7th 2013
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So, I'm still in Melbourne and plan to be here for a good few months. Though if I don't find paid work soon the plan will soon have to change to flying back to the UK :-( What's been great about my time in Victoria is that I've spent time meeting Aussie's (rather than British travellers) and learning Aussie words and ways. I've had a proper Aussie BBQ, learned the joys of stubby coolers, know the difference between a pot and schooner of beer and have experienced the awsomeness of Australia Day!
My first day in Melbourne was spent just wondering around this great city. It's full of hidden laneways, street art, hundreds of cafes, trees wearing jumpers, a beautiful skyline, beaches, and the best blueberry muffin I have had in my life! I've become quite addicted to these fluffy gems. Everyday I think of them and how often I can eat them without becoming obese and/or broke. I need to cut myself off! 5 blueberry muffins in 2 weeks is too many!
After a day of wondering around the city, taking too many photos, I met my Aussie friend Tina and one of her friends for a trip to the night market. Every Wednesday over the summer months the Queen Victoria Market transforms into the Suzuki Night Market. The atmosphere is incredible. It's a cacophony of tourists from all over the world, sangria-drinking holiday makers, market sellers, locals buying their fresh produce, a live jazz band and around 50 different food stalls selling everything from Polish dumplings and ribs, to fresh Paella and burritos. The 3 of us sat in the beautiful sunshine sipping sangria and eating great food, just chatting away with the jazz in the background. Such a great evening and captured everything that Melbourne does well.
I need to spend quite a bit of time recording the events of the Australia Day weekend.
Just 225 years ago Australia was discovered and residents now celebrate with lamb, a good BBQ, pavlova and enough beer to keep you merry long into the bank holiday. Me & Tina drove 3 hours to her countryside home town of Wodonga, fondly known as "The Dong". We spent the weekend there and in the next door town of Albury. I felt like I was seeing some of the real Australia - it was good to get out of the city and off the tourist trail. I spent the journey in hope of spotting a kangeroo or a koala, but whilst I saw warning signs for both, the actual animals were nowhere to be seen. Unless you count the roadkill; not pleasant.
I dressed up in true Aussie style to mark Australia Day. Have posted a picture below for those who have not yet seen it. We went to a friends backyard party, complete with an Esky full of beer, a paddling pool, an awesome BBQ, the best pav ever and a cocktail station. Everyone was so friendly and we sat outside laughing, chatting, eating and drinking from midday until 10pm. Great Straya Day! I got my accent taken the mickey out of slightly, but that's to be expected, and they did spend time trying to "Aussie me up". Still haven't quite got the lingo nailed yet, but I am finding myself naturally referring to plasters as bandaids, flip flops as thongs and crisps as chips. There's hope for me yet.
The rest of the bank holiday weekend was spent swimming (in Tina's friends own backyard pool), eating Thai food, lunch at a wannabe English pub, and a long drive home. Such a great time and feel I did Australia Day the true Aussie way!
So far, the rest of my time here can be summed up with the words "job hunt'". It's not going well. I've applied for about 30 jobs now and not heard a thing. It's tedious, boring, and worrying. I'm spending loads and have nothing coming in. There are so many things I want to see and do but without any money coming in I need to be careful for the time being. I am applying for anything and everything, but not getting anywhere. No leads at all. Stage 2 is walking round the city and thrusting my CV into people's faces and begging.
I have managed to squeeze in a little fun though - I went on the Neighbours Tour and saw Ramsay St. It was hilariously good fun. Not quite worth the money I paid but good all the same. I met one of the characters, though I haven't watched the show for 10 years and so didn't recognise him. Kyle? Got a photo anyway :-)
The final thing I'll mention here is Tina's birthday celebrations! It was my first night out in the city and it was so fun. We had a drink on the rooftop of a snazzy bar before heading down a random little lane, home to the Dumpling House. $15 all you can eat. I've never seen so many dumplings in my life. Chicken, pork, beef, prawn, vegetable... all great, but no-one needs that many dumplings in life. Think i ate around 12. Such a bargain night though, and again got to meet some great people. If there's one thing you can say about the Aussie's, they are so friendly.
As I write this I have just returned from an amazing road trip down the (aptly named) Great Ocean Road. But that deserves a blog entry of its own. So I'll leave it there for now, leaving you wanting more, so hopefully you'll read the next entry...
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