*****
I think I've mentioned before that I really never got a "cultural shock" of any kind when going to Melbourne. On the other hand, I didn't really have time or the finances to tour around the country (one could call it a decent size continent too...) so I probably experienced only a minuscule part of the country's atmosphere.
I intentionally wanted to write this blog post only after arriving back to Finland. I wanted to distance myself from what I saw and experienced in a very short time (3,5 months). At least if listening to the feedback from my Aussie friends, I did well. I of course was out to seek true Aussie experiences, something that would not happen elsewhere. In Finland, I'd take visitors to sauna (undressed or in their swimming gear, depending on the gender and openmindness of the visitors ;) ), summer cottage for visitors seeking peace and quiet, summer festivals for those with a wild side needing unleashing or in the winter we'd try skiing, skating, snowshoeing (if that's what it's called; never done it myself actually, supposedly fun) and naturally warm sauna and glögi (spiced drink a bit like glühwein) afterwards.
In Australia people always ask what ya gonna do during the weekend, and on Monday they ask how it went. Well, I had trouble trying to explain myself sometimes. I'm going skiing. A marathon. "Really? You came to Australia to ski?! (A crazy person...)" Actually, sorry, this is not true. I got this question from friends in Finland. :P Well, rogaining was difficult to explain to Aussie friends and colleagues. Running (or walking with a stupid runner's knee) in the bush for six hours only to be rewarded with a chocolate bar. AND brilliant memories that'll last a lifetime!
Okay, going finally to the point of this post... Obviously have been story-telling deprived for too long. I actually can't put the events and trips in any specific order, so I'm not even trying to. Like I've said before, best part of the trip were in any case people and the events experienced with them were a bonus on top of spending time with them.
But, but... things I'd recommend in Melbourne. I'm bad with touristy things, and even though I was suppose to see this and that museum, I never did. I'm more of a "experience little things" and I'm tired of trying to fight that. That's just me. These are not in any specific order... And yes, I've written about these things before, but I'm trying to make a summary of some sort. Besides, I just realized today that I haven't had a search bar on my blog, so no one can even find anything here. Sorry about that!
The Yarra River and Westerfolds Park
It's brown. It's supposedly a river. It resembles a brown snake (have seen one in the wild in Margaret River, so know what I'm talking about), very slowly moving and making twists and turns. And it's just about in every suburb east of CBD. My favourite bits were Yarra Bend Park nearby our apartment in Kew and Westerfolds Park, where I went skiking.
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| Pic by Len on Nina's camera. Off track totally possible! |
Great paths for off trail running and skiking. I loved the Yarra Bend Park. I was a little hesitant to run there in the last warm weeks, though. I was spooked by the snake warnings here and there... Greetings, yours truly, the big sissy...
St Kilda Beach towards Hampton (watch out for needles (safety) and penguins (fun)
The best run ever, St Kilda to Hamton. Did it twice, but if and when back in town, you know where to find me on a sunny day. Knees will be asking for mercy, since most of the way is concrete, but if ending there for a run, take the dirt tracks were possible, won't be able to miss them. Next time aim to do a longer bit. Why pay for half marathons when it's just so damn easy doing them for free?! There are drinking spots along the way, either just squirt into your mouth or fill a bottle. Restrooms provided free too, just every other place in Australia... Taking care of all your needs on a run, eh?
St Kilda has a less sporty feel to it too, if you head the other way, meaning the St Kilda Pier. This is where the cutest and the smelliest little creatures (not the beer) reside. Eudyptula minor is their fancy-pants Latin name, tiny penguins is what I shall use hence forward. These stinky tiny penguins are to be seen at dusk. Along with 40 other tourists. But try not let the Homo sapiens bother your unique experience. My "personal" experience with one of these tiny penguins was when I was leaving the place and and it almost seemed like this fellow was about to follow me home! There we were walking side by side (away from the sunset) as all the other tourists behind us were getting jealous of this bonding experience.
Bonus: Having wine at the St Kilda Pier Kiosk listening to Rolling Stones and Gotye (they have the same soundtrack all the time, so I'm pretty sure you can have the exact same experience! :D).
Albert Park (the park and the picturesque part of the city)
Om Yoga in Tampere is lovely, simple, nice people (a little distant, though), but so far it hasn't gotten to the world-loving level of Yogareal in Albert Park, the part of the city. I miss hearing someone telling me everything from the position of my hips to the way of the universe is "beautiful". That's a word we cannot overuse. And that place knows how to open up any sort of hip lock. This experience was made even more intense as I was reading a novel by Rachel Manija Brown called "All the Fishes Come Home to Roost", where the author tells about her childhood in an Indian ashram. My attitude towards other religions and ideas has become even more lenient and also curious. It is so interesting why we seek something greater than us. Be it a guru or God.
Albert Park the Park is also worth a run or a walk. Or on great weather, a picnic! I was meant to go and try out rowing one Sunday morning, but never made it there. Mostly wasn't in town on the first Sunday of the month and once I got the time wrong. If and when in town again...
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| Albert Park is famous for its black swans. This time with juniors. |
Royal Botanical Garden
First time I visited the Royal Botanical Garden was the second week of my stay. My intention was to be super active in the afternoons and see everything the city had to offer. I walked from Alfred Hospital via the park to Federation Square downtown one afternoon to get maps in order to fulfill these plans. Sooooo nice after a day at the office! Highly recommend! I did another set of walking loops on my very last day, and this time it was even better since it was spring. I don't care I didn't see no stuffy museums, I saw nature's art and that's enough.
Coffee ja delicious veggie food! (Ooops, drooling just thinking about it!)
"Please, sir, I want some more." For food, food is glorious in Melbourne! It took me perhaps two weeks coming back when I truly realized what food paradise I was coming back from... Especially for someone on a mostly vegetarian/vegan/ethically conscious diet. Well, in truth, I wasn't always sure how organic food really was or how it is controlled in Australia. However, judging by the tight border control (excluding trustworthy Finns...), I think control should be okay.
If you can't beat them, join them - hipsters.
If you think it's trendy, wear it. Even if it's your grandpa's old Sunday sweatpants or your auntie's old sweater from the 80's. That'll be just fine. Come to think of it, the things you see on the streets are probably very expensive local designer clothes. But hey, if they look like your grandpa's pants, I don't see why you couldn't just wear the original pair? It was a constant source of good mood and even laughter just looking at the street scene from the bus window or sitting down in a cafe. I hope I've caught some of that experimental feel of dressing up.
I still think people in Helsinki dress both creative AND less hideous (wannabe trendy) clothes. Tampere is all goths, rock, fake leather, bootcut jeans, do not look inspiration for anything regarding decent looking outfits from here, thank you very much... (Otherwise a GREAT, but small city!)
Street art. Lost for words.
Triple J. Thank the Lord or whichever guru or just good luck that we have The Internet.
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