Slick’s room, Friday 5th August, 17:06
Good afternoon everyone,
So, its the end of an era here in Melbourne. I have lived here now for the best part of 8 months, and once more the call of the Road is strong within me and, as much as I love this place, I must be moving on. As ever, I take with me only memories, and I leave behind only footprints, and the odd broken heart. In 5 days I will hitting the old dusty trail, on a tour of Australia and then South-East Asia which will last for the next two months- and after that, who knows? I find life is more enjoyable when everything comes as a suprise…
So, what have I learnt in my time here? Now that I have reached the grand old age of 22, am I ready to become a “proper adult?” (ha)? Well, I think its fair to say that I have sharpened my already impressive charm and general amiablilty to a razor edge; every day I find it a little easier to talk to new people and make new friends, without being held back by nerves or fear of rejection (although I suppose it could also be the fact that I am leaving so soon encouraging me to seize opportunity while I can). In my time here I’ve learnt that following relative strangers to secret house parties (almost) invariably leads to a good time. I’ve made the acquaintance of a young lady in a semi-aquatic environment- but thats a story for another day. I have, much to my dismay, acquiared a new wealth of Accounting experience, which increasingly leads me to worry that the universe wants me to become an Accountant (no way universe. Not gonna happen). And I’ve learnt that I am in no way ready to become a proper adult yet. The call of the road still draws me ever onwards- I think there are few places in the world I like better than Melbourne, yet the 8 months I have spent here is definitely pushing my tolerance for staying in one place.
Most of all I’d like to pay tribute to the city of Melbourne itself; it really is a wonderful place. On the face of it, it seems a lot like a warmier, happier, less grey version of England- and this is pretty much the heart of it. On top of that though, Melbourne is an incredibly diverse place- from the trendy, hipster area of Fitzroy (picture Camden town and you’re most of the way there), to the sleepy western suburbs with their hidden gems like the Sun theatre, to the cool beach suburbs of St Kilda and Brighton, where a man can sit in the 30 degree sun drinking a bottle of LA ice cola and just watching the world, in all of it’s tanned and curvaceous glory, go by.
Melbourne has more crazy people than anywhere else I’ve been, many of whom with their own eccentric back storys and loveable quirks- like cross-dressing marrionette busker man, or secret millionaire crazy bus lady, or baby-snatching, crack-smoking drag act man. Despite this, I actually feel very safe here- even the local versions of chavs (they call them bogans) are much more likely to wish you g’day than threaten to stab you, as their English counterparts no doubt would. I think its the benevolent climate.
Much though I grumble about every train being 5 minutes late, the transport system here is very good, and very cheap, and I can get anywhere in the city any time of day- even the taxis are reasonable (especially compared to England), and there are handy night time buses taking all of the drunk people, yours truly included, to all of the outer suburbs. Just don’t make the mistake I did and fall asleep on a morning train after a heavy night, necessitating a 7am trip back from the end of the line back home…
Melbourne has won a special place in my heart; I once boasted that I could make a home for myself anywhere where the girls were pretty and friendly, and the alcohol was cheap and free flowing. Well, for you, Melbourne, I am even willing to relax that second condition. Now however, our time together is at an end, and, like an early morning lover, I must be away before the dawn to find that elsuive greener grass somewhere along the road…
- The Road goes ever on and on
- Down from the door where it began.
- Now far ahead the Road has gone,
- And I must follow, if I can,
- Pursuing it with eager feet,
- Until it joins some larger way
- Where many paths and errands meet.
- And whither then? I cannot say.
- Adieu,
- Slick.
- This blog brought to you by Tourism for Victoria: The Place to be
