Melbourne Day One

 I woke up at Sam and Eva’s at about 9. For me, that’s par. In this house, I’ve been unconscious for an eternity. This is an early rising crowd, I think the contrast might be good for me.

After a cup of tea I zipped off to downtown. While freshening up, I noticed my hair is growing more than a little too long. Might be best if my first stop is for a haircut. I exit the subway and while getting my bearings find I’m right next to a barber, perfection. The barber expertly lowers my ears and asks a lot of questions about American politics. Lotus of us yanks have been in town for the Australian tennis open and he’s not clear on how things are out there. Apparently we give strongly conflicting answers based on our political orientation. That alone is a bad sign. We really are living in two different realities. 

I took a caffeine stop at Pellegini’s, the oldest espresso bar in the country. They got started in the 50s when some members of the local Italian community brought a machine in from Italy. It’s a lot like Rome in here but quieter and slower  all good with me.

The world may be difficult but at least there are bookstores. To replenish my eternally diminishing stash, I found a used bookstore that is the maddening pile of written word I am after. At the front by the basement entrance, I am immediately greeted by the Transport section. Good fun. From here I extract a 1979 report from the UK government on the state of and their recommendations for electric vehicles. It gets a lot right but their predictions are way off. The other selection is a book written by an Englishwomen living in the American Midwest during the 1830s. Her business failed and so she writes a scathing book about American habits and manners. Probably good for me to read so I don’t get culture shock when I come back.

Melbourne has the largest tram network on earth. As with any tram-proud city, they have a heritage line. Route 35 uses old streetcars and takes you on a loop around the CBD and into the Docklands. Tourist transport nonsense. I’m a tourist and I need to be transported. It’s as good a way as any to go from where I am to something green. I was in need of a bench for some business. I’ve been skipping the board meeting for the Long Beach Bike Co Op for the last few months since I have been in unfriendly time zones. Suddenly, I get a notification and see that the meeting is happening at about 11 am. I can make that! It feels good to contribute a bit and reminds me that I am getting closer to home. It’s the little things.

Lunch and a sandwich

I trammed to Victoria Market, an open air market in the city center. By this time I was getting hungry and was craving g a sandwich. I found a lovely Italian restaurant serving up parm and breaded eggplant on focaccia. Good stuff. It pairs well with my book which I walked to a nearby park after lunch.

A walk in the park

After a while I needed a break from the book and started wandering the CBD again. For those not in the know, that’s what they call downtown here. Melbourne CBD is a place, not a consumable. Very confusing. I food consumables under a sign that said Moutai. If you know, you know that’s a good reason to be scared. Moutai is a brand of Baiju. It tastes like furious Chinese firewater, salt and umami. Thanks to this store, I was able to try a fancier pour than what I can normally get. It still tastes like ass. Baiju may be the one irredeemable alcohol. The fact that this nonsense goes for hundreds and thousands a liter mysteries me. So strange.

Land of Baiju

It’s getting late and I should head back Caulfield. Taking the train back is quicker but I’ve done that a few times now. Taking the tram is more direct and shows you more as you crawl through the streets. There are so many trams here wow. They crowd the stations so hard that they make their own traffic, rippling through the streets.

Back at the house, Eva and I chat while waiting for Sam to come in for the day. Over dinner we share our day’s adventures and what I might be up to for the rest of my time out here. I don’t know, there’s lots of ideas. After dinner Sam took me on a tour of his Melbourne. We walked St. Kilda beach, people watching and taking in the sunset. We may be on the Southern tip of the county but this particular beach faces west allowing for another comforting feature to remind me of home. There’s something so assuring about watching the sun set over the water. He takes me for a drive pointing out landmarks on the way and telling stories about my family. He grew up in Singapore alongside my Grandmother and has a lot to share. He’s lived a hell of a life. Lots to say, never enough time.