weekend in the city
"What strange phenomena we find in a great city, all we need do is stroll about with our eyes open.
Life swarms with innocent monsters."
- Charles Baudelaire
I wish I could recall every moment of wonder and interest... every time I have been intrigued or confused... when I feel the Holy Spirit running with my heart. We all experience things differently, depending on where our thoughts want to go. I love experiencing people; observation with no intent to debate or conform... Just to imagine the past behind the present.
What better place to be for my un-destined "research" than the big city of Melbourne.
http://www.britannica.com/blogs/2010/01/melbourne-australias-second-city/
Our group of eight caught the rainy 5:35 am train from our station, on Friday, and arrived about three hours later in overcast Melbourne. We scurried to our downtown hostel, Flinders Backpackers, to check in and catch a little nap. Now this is the second hostel I have experienced in Australia (the first being in Lorne). From my experience, a hostel is a place to rest your head for less than a hotel... usually with bunk beds and a complimentary breakfast; a dormitory for all ages. These places are particularly handy for backpackers, as the name of this one implies. We found layover entertainment with the provided rec area... ping-pong, pool, and free beer on Friday nights. There was a kitchen type area one could store food in (cubbies) and use the provided dishes to cook meals. To prevent some things from "going missing", a deposit was required; $2 for a coffee mug and $5 for a shower towel.
We took a little siesta at the hostel and then walked around a bit before heading to the aquarium. From penguins to seadragons to walking sticks to nurse sharks...
Our eyes were treated with the beauty of the aquatic world. One of the most impressive "exhibits" housed a variety of fish, rays, skates, and sharks. Like two-legged, very large hermit crabs, we made our way past walls and through tunnels of effortlessly soaring masters of the big blue.
Of course, the words "prison" and "depression" whirled around my wonderment. If I had a clear baggy big enough...
"My soul is full of longing for the secret of the sea,
and the heart of the great ocean
sends a thrilling pulse through me."
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
That night we searched for food and came upon a few intriguing, yet familiar-type restaurants. After a dinner of pea and ham soup, complimented by a "short black"* (espresso), we stopped into an Irish pub we previously popped into during our search. Live music was to be enjoyed upstairs. I noticed a sign behind the two-man gig welcoming "Howling Faith". I immediately thought of my niece (miss you!). I love to discover the story behind a band name and now it was open to my interpretation.
Job 8:21
He will yet fill your mouth with laughter, and you lips with shouting.
Psalm 66:1
Shout for joy to God, all the earth...
Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude,
like the roar of many waters
and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out,
"Halleluja! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns."
They sang a U2 song and I was in blissful contentment. My eyes kept fixing on the violin (or viola) hanging on a stand in front of one of the guys. I told myself to be patient... and it paid off. The level of confidence I never reached in high school provided the perfect undertones to a growing atmosphere of sweet release. What a joy to get lost in a melody produced by your own hands.
Saturday was beautiful... The sun was shining as we walked through the city to
the MCG stadium for our first AFL game: the Brisbon Lions vs. the Richmond Tigers. I was set on cheering for the Tigers. Although I knew essentially nothing about the team, my RA/housemate encouraged it... and they have my college (UW-Milwaukee) colors. I can't recall the final score, but things got more intense than I anticipated near the end. From what I heard, I expected an ensured victory for Richmond, but there was a bit of cat fight in the fourth quarter...
Rumble in the Jungle
ROAR!
I wonder what they say to each other...
About 47,000 people
(in a 100,000 capacity stadium)
We walked around the city afterward, searching, once again for a place to eat. We settled for some "fast food" (a Subway salad for me). It's somewhat disappointing eating at an American restaurant in a different country, but it was interesting to see the differences in the menu. I haven't been to Subway in a while, but I noticed they had veggie patties. I decided on a small slab of roasted chicken on top of a bed vegetables. We sat outside on a ledge near a courtyard and strip of eateries, which reminded me a bit of Milwaukee. We observed and commented on passing fashions. A bird pooped on Sean's head and a couple seagulls stared at my salad. After satisfying our hunger, we crossed the street to a couple souvenir shops. Although I enjoy browsing through the China made trinkets and clothing, I don't purchase anything from these stores (unless it's food). I did notice some jerkies of various sorts: kangaroo, emu, and crocodile. If a small bag wasn't $6, I most likely would have indulged. Out of all places, they had honeycomb there too, Kevin!
A few of us stayed out for a little exploring and nightlife that night. We walked down China town. Round, red, paper lantern lights hung above our heads. If it wasn't for the variety of ethnicities passing us on the skinny side walk, I would have said, sure... we are in China.
I wanted to eat in every restaurant; experience every shop. Sean asked me what I thought of "this city". I can't deny that I love visiting big cities. How can one place offer so much to satisfy and overwhelm the senses...
We didn't get the experience of the bathroom at the Atrium Bar at the Sofitel this time around... (a bathroom with complimentary glass floors, Giles was telling us about). I looked it up when we got home...
The Sofitel - 25 Collins Street - Atrium Bar - Level 35
"Soar like an Eagle, wash your hands like a Gentleman"
Ever wanted to ride Willy Wonka's glass elevator? Well, here is your chance to ride the next best thing – The Sofitel's porcelain express - 35 stories high in the Atrium bar.
Look out at the commoners milling about the streets like ants, doing their business behind closed door all those stories below.
Although the down side to dining here is that a salad sandwich costs $25, you may not wish to use the toilets to try and increase your value for money. However, the feeling of soaring like an eagle is completely priceless.
http://www.weekendnotes.com/best-public-toilets-melbourne/
But, I'm sure we'll board the train to Melbourne a few more times within the next 11 months...
Just discovered clicking on the pictures. DUH..Love the pictures. Interesting mural. mom
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