I am going to be on a plane in less than 48 hours. It's a crazy thing to think about. I have been packing bags, carefully wrapping items I do not want broken during the trip, preparing myself mentally for that looooong plane ride. Tonight I am going to a barbecue and Marie's house with some people from volleyball. I was really sad Thursday night at volleyball thinking about how I would not be playing with them again until January, so I am glad to have the chance to hang out with some of them a little longer. Tomorrow I am making a traditional Southern dinner for Sarah and Emmanuel: fried chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans, corn, and apple cake. Then I have to go to bed to get up at like 4 am to take a shower before my early flight to Sydney. I fly out of Sydney at 11:45 am, land in Atlanta at 4:30pm, then should be at RDU by 7:05pm.
The following things that I have been missing will be back in my life until December 27th: my family, my NC friends, Bojangles, grilling on the back porch, Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert, Spicy Chicken sandwiches, UNC basketball, biscuits, cheap beer, Mexican food, Diet Dr. Pepper, driving, American bacon, DVR... God Bless America!
Friday, November 9, 2012
Monday, November 5, 2012
Weekend in Melbourne and Great Ocean Road
The rest of my time in Melbourne was pretty busy and very awesome.
Saturday I met Grace in the city to spend the day with her. We caught a tram up to Brunswick Street, where we grabbed lunch at a local deli and caught up a little over the meal. We went by her father's house, just a couple of blocks from Brunswick Street, then by her brother's house, which was even closer. I met her brother and his girlfriend before we set out again to continue exploring Brunswick street. Grace knows EVERYONE on Brunswick street. We visited one restaurant and after greeting everyone, we were served smoothies. We then crossed the street to a bar her friend Hannah was working in and talked to Hannah for a while over coffee. We then spent several hours unsuccessfully searching 2nd hand shops and clothing stores for a leather vest for a Michael Hutchence Halloween costume to be worn Monday night (yes, late, pre Melbourne cup, Halloween party). We rested at her dad's house and watched TV, then met her friend Glenn for dinner at the Little Creatures restaurant. After steaks, beers, and sticky toffee pudding, we went down the street to the American bar called The Kodiak Club. She knows everyone there too, and they were carving a pumpkin behind the bar in preparation for the Monday night party. The menu at the bar includes grilled cheese with Kraft American cheese, hush puppies, and chicken and waffles. I got a whiskey and ginger ale to sip on before we moved down to another bar called The Black Pearl. It was very crowded, but Grace led me upstairs to a speakeasy type of place called The Attic. You couldn't go in without ringing a bell and being allowed in. I couldn't decide what to order, so told the waitress what kind of cocktail I felt like and she prepared it by my request. We spent the rest of the evening there before saying goodbye and making promises to reunite sometime in Australia or America. I walked home and got in around 12:30. I quietly crawled up into my top bunk (seems the one night I stay out, the lights were turned off before midnight).
Sunday I planned to go to the beach then meet up with Samara later in the day. I asked the guy at the desk who helped me when I checked in about how to get to St. Kilda, then Brighton Beach. The St. Kilda tram was easy to find, and I caught it around 9:30. I tried to buy a day ticket when I got on board, but the machine was broken. I looked around and quietly took a seat, unsure of what to do. I watched other people try to buy and ticket at other stops and give up and sit down, so I figured at least if I got caught riding without a ticket, I would have others in the same boat.
I rode all the way to St. Kilda and started smiling as I recognized the scenery on the approach. I got off the tram and walked through the Sunday market they had out on the street. I walked down to the beach and sat in the sun while people watching and eating my packed sandwich for lunch. After getting enough sun, I moved to a shaded area in the grass hill behind Luna Park and read, watched everyone enjoying the Sunday sun, and actually slept about 15 minutes too. I was a little concerned about how I was going to get to Brighton Beach, because I was having trouble locating any bus stops with 600 bus listings. I decided to walk to the hostel I stayed last time in St. Kilda and ask them. The lady at the front desk said I could walk (which I wasn't interested in, as it would take hours and I was already feeling dehydrated) or I could catch a train from a train station up Carlisle street. I thanked her for the information, then went into a 7-11 for some cold drinks (I had drank both of my bottles of water I brought already). While I was inside, people began flooding into the store. I bet we were violating all kinds of fire codes inside that store, and I quickly got claustrophobic. I struggled my way to the cash register, paid, and left. I began my trek to the train station. I ended up walking way too far and eventually asking someone where it was. I located the station and tried to get a day ticket there. The screen showed an option to buy a day ticket, but would not let me select it. So once again, I caught a free/stole ride, one I was trying to pay for. I got off in Brighton Beach and texted Samara my location. She picked me up and we went to a cafe nearby. She got a milkshake and I got a coffee float and we talked about Australia and America and what was awesome about each. She only had about an hour and a half to spend with me, but it was great to catch up. She then took me by a 7-11 before leaving because I expressed my fear of maybe finally getting caught after riding for free all day. She said she hated the new payment system and agreed with me that it was not very tourist friendly. It makes you buy a $6 credit card type of permanent card, then add credit to it to pay off rides. But someone visiting for the weekend does not want to have to pay for this card. And supposedly most trams and buses are equipped to sell you day passes for $7.50, which is much cheaper than having to buy the card, then the rides, but you see the trouble I ran into trying to get these. So I gave in and bought the myki as it is called, and now still have it, despite the fact I may never be in Melbourne again (though I hope I am). Anyway, I was dropped off at the station and told Samara goodbye. My train ended up being delayed for 30 minutes, then being an express train that went directly past St. Kilda to the city. So I took out my map and realized that unless I wanted to pay more, I would probably have to walk most of the city from my drop off on Flinder's Street. I am glad I bought the myki when I did though, because I think I would have been trapped in the Flinder's station if I hadn't bought the card. I had to scan the card to open an arm to let me out. I then grabbed cheap dinner and walked back to the hostel in the sunset. When I got back I packed up all my bags to prepare for the 6 am pickup the next morning.
I got up at 5 am, grabbed all my bags and bed sheets so I wouldn't have to go back into the room, and went to the bathroom to shower and get ready. Sarah and Emmanuel were a little late picking me up, but we found our way out of the city and then grabbed breakfast at a petrol station before heading to the Great Ocean Road. It was a good day to do the road, but I only got a couple of pictures before my camera died on me. We stopped at a lighthouse and the 12 apostles (there is like 4 now) and the London Bridge. It took us about 13 hours to get home (compared to the 10ish it took us to get there), but it wasn't too bad. We listened to 80's music, Motown, African beer, Disney songs along the way. we had an entertaining little drive when Emmanuel drove Sarah's manual car, and he is still learning to drive manual. He only stalled it a couple of times, haha. We saw the Big Lobster on the way home as well. We hit crazy thunder and lightening storms as we were almost into Adelaide. I was very tired when we got home, made some rice and beans for dinner, then went to bed.
One week until I go home. This week is about getting ready, eating out of the freezer to clear out the space while I am gone, spending as little money as possible. Tomorrow is the election in the US. I am a little worried. We will see what happens...
Saturday I met Grace in the city to spend the day with her. We caught a tram up to Brunswick Street, where we grabbed lunch at a local deli and caught up a little over the meal. We went by her father's house, just a couple of blocks from Brunswick Street, then by her brother's house, which was even closer. I met her brother and his girlfriend before we set out again to continue exploring Brunswick street. Grace knows EVERYONE on Brunswick street. We visited one restaurant and after greeting everyone, we were served smoothies. We then crossed the street to a bar her friend Hannah was working in and talked to Hannah for a while over coffee. We then spent several hours unsuccessfully searching 2nd hand shops and clothing stores for a leather vest for a Michael Hutchence Halloween costume to be worn Monday night (yes, late, pre Melbourne cup, Halloween party). We rested at her dad's house and watched TV, then met her friend Glenn for dinner at the Little Creatures restaurant. After steaks, beers, and sticky toffee pudding, we went down the street to the American bar called The Kodiak Club. She knows everyone there too, and they were carving a pumpkin behind the bar in preparation for the Monday night party. The menu at the bar includes grilled cheese with Kraft American cheese, hush puppies, and chicken and waffles. I got a whiskey and ginger ale to sip on before we moved down to another bar called The Black Pearl. It was very crowded, but Grace led me upstairs to a speakeasy type of place called The Attic. You couldn't go in without ringing a bell and being allowed in. I couldn't decide what to order, so told the waitress what kind of cocktail I felt like and she prepared it by my request. We spent the rest of the evening there before saying goodbye and making promises to reunite sometime in Australia or America. I walked home and got in around 12:30. I quietly crawled up into my top bunk (seems the one night I stay out, the lights were turned off before midnight).
Sunday I planned to go to the beach then meet up with Samara later in the day. I asked the guy at the desk who helped me when I checked in about how to get to St. Kilda, then Brighton Beach. The St. Kilda tram was easy to find, and I caught it around 9:30. I tried to buy a day ticket when I got on board, but the machine was broken. I looked around and quietly took a seat, unsure of what to do. I watched other people try to buy and ticket at other stops and give up and sit down, so I figured at least if I got caught riding without a ticket, I would have others in the same boat.
I rode all the way to St. Kilda and started smiling as I recognized the scenery on the approach. I got off the tram and walked through the Sunday market they had out on the street. I walked down to the beach and sat in the sun while people watching and eating my packed sandwich for lunch. After getting enough sun, I moved to a shaded area in the grass hill behind Luna Park and read, watched everyone enjoying the Sunday sun, and actually slept about 15 minutes too. I was a little concerned about how I was going to get to Brighton Beach, because I was having trouble locating any bus stops with 600 bus listings. I decided to walk to the hostel I stayed last time in St. Kilda and ask them. The lady at the front desk said I could walk (which I wasn't interested in, as it would take hours and I was already feeling dehydrated) or I could catch a train from a train station up Carlisle street. I thanked her for the information, then went into a 7-11 for some cold drinks (I had drank both of my bottles of water I brought already). While I was inside, people began flooding into the store. I bet we were violating all kinds of fire codes inside that store, and I quickly got claustrophobic. I struggled my way to the cash register, paid, and left. I began my trek to the train station. I ended up walking way too far and eventually asking someone where it was. I located the station and tried to get a day ticket there. The screen showed an option to buy a day ticket, but would not let me select it. So once again, I caught a free/stole ride, one I was trying to pay for. I got off in Brighton Beach and texted Samara my location. She picked me up and we went to a cafe nearby. She got a milkshake and I got a coffee float and we talked about Australia and America and what was awesome about each. She only had about an hour and a half to spend with me, but it was great to catch up. She then took me by a 7-11 before leaving because I expressed my fear of maybe finally getting caught after riding for free all day. She said she hated the new payment system and agreed with me that it was not very tourist friendly. It makes you buy a $6 credit card type of permanent card, then add credit to it to pay off rides. But someone visiting for the weekend does not want to have to pay for this card. And supposedly most trams and buses are equipped to sell you day passes for $7.50, which is much cheaper than having to buy the card, then the rides, but you see the trouble I ran into trying to get these. So I gave in and bought the myki as it is called, and now still have it, despite the fact I may never be in Melbourne again (though I hope I am). Anyway, I was dropped off at the station and told Samara goodbye. My train ended up being delayed for 30 minutes, then being an express train that went directly past St. Kilda to the city. So I took out my map and realized that unless I wanted to pay more, I would probably have to walk most of the city from my drop off on Flinder's Street. I am glad I bought the myki when I did though, because I think I would have been trapped in the Flinder's station if I hadn't bought the card. I had to scan the card to open an arm to let me out. I then grabbed cheap dinner and walked back to the hostel in the sunset. When I got back I packed up all my bags to prepare for the 6 am pickup the next morning. 
I got up at 5 am, grabbed all my bags and bed sheets so I wouldn't have to go back into the room, and went to the bathroom to shower and get ready. Sarah and Emmanuel were a little late picking me up, but we found our way out of the city and then grabbed breakfast at a petrol station before heading to the Great Ocean Road. It was a good day to do the road, but I only got a couple of pictures before my camera died on me. We stopped at a lighthouse and the 12 apostles (there is like 4 now) and the London Bridge. It took us about 13 hours to get home (compared to the 10ish it took us to get there), but it wasn't too bad. We listened to 80's music, Motown, African beer, Disney songs along the way. we had an entertaining little drive when Emmanuel drove Sarah's manual car, and he is still learning to drive manual. He only stalled it a couple of times, haha. We saw the Big Lobster on the way home as well. We hit crazy thunder and lightening storms as we were almost into Adelaide. I was very tired when we got home, made some rice and beans for dinner, then went to bed.
One week until I go home. This week is about getting ready, eating out of the freezer to clear out the space while I am gone, spending as little money as possible. Tomorrow is the election in the US. I am a little worried. We will see what happens...
Friday, November 2, 2012
Top Bunk Again
So I am in Melbourne. The hostel is getting to me. Is it just me, or is it required that German is always spoken in volumes about 3 times louder than normal conversation volume? And how come the thinnest girl in the hostel stomps the loudest? And the boys pick stupid movies to watch. And I come back to the door standing wide open because the girls leave it open when they leave the room. I have to be at the mercy of the 11 other people in the dorm with me, but not any random person who is able to shuffle in off the street and want to help themselves to my clothing (everything else is locked up in a locker). I don't know, maybe I am aging out of hostel life. But I can tell you my bank account isn't.
Anyway, I got here last night. Sarah, who is engaged now by the way (she will gladly share the story if you missed it trending on twitter Wednesday night; she has plenty of pictures and video of the event), drove the 10ish hours it took to get us here. We were supposed to leave by 6am, but due to the late night proposal and following congratulative activities, we didn't get out until nearly 7am. We still made it to Melbourne by around 5:30 (and I forgot about the 30 minute time change until this morning). Anyway, We had made a couple stops along the way, including one at the Big Koala, before arriving. I bid her goodbye until Monday, checked in, and with no surprise, claimed for myself the only bunk open in the 12 dorm room- a top bunk. Yippe HooraY! I threw my stuff down, locking up stuff like laptops and money and passports, and booked it to the nearest grocery store. I bought some lunch meat and cheese from the deli, a couple of rolls, some fruit, and breakfast stuff to cover breakfast and lunches over the weekend. I noticed a cheap stir fry place on the way home and got dinner takeaway. I only ate half of it, so it ended up being dinner for 2 nights (score). I was so tired. Like shaking, maybe a litle dehydrated too, tired. I stayed up until around 9 (probably really 9:30 since I didn't take into account the time change) and then climbed into my top bunk. I read for about an hour, then stuck my earplugs in my ears, rolled over, and fell asleep with the light on.
I didn't hear anyone all night, and awoke around 7:45am (which I guess was really 8:15am) and no one was up yet, besides the 3 people who must have checked out early since their beds were empty and stripped (who I also didn't hear). I grabbed my already set-out-the-night-before clothes (I am so dang considerate!) and walked down the hall to the bathrooms. Ok, the bathrooms here. It makes up for being on the 3rd floor (which gets annoying when you keep forgeting things you meant to get). The bathrooms are self contained singles. I mean, you close the door and you have a toilet, sink, shower, and mirror, like a home bathroom, all to yourself. There are 3 of these on our floor. There are also a couple regular shared bathroom/showers down the hall, but Miss rise with the Sun is going to make sure I get up before 9 so I can grab the good stuff, haha. Anyway, I finish getting ready, grab my pre-packed bags from the night before, and go downstairs. I make breakfast and eat at the same seat against the wall as I did last night at dinner. Again, as always, all boys in the kitchen (do girls eat?), watching something so dumb on TV. I finish up, make a sandwich for lunch, and head down the street to catch a free tourist shuttle I had heard about. I finally locate the stop and realize I missed the first bus by 4 minutes. I wait 26 minutes with an older Australian couple, then climb on as it arrives. The bus has prerecorded commentary as well as commentary from the bus driver. I do a full loop of the city, taking about 90 minutes, then decide to get off at the Victoria Markets. I eat my packed lunch as I stroll through the aisles of produce outside. The people manning the booths are shouting, competing with neighboring booths, shouting about "Mangos! Pineapples!" I almost buy something in the excitement, but remember I have fruit at the hostel. I do want to buy a new temporary mascot for Melbourne. I forgot Gnomie at home, I was so upset. So I spot an adorable wombat and the man says they are 6 for 10 dollars. So I get 3 wombats and 3 more friends and pay him. He makes conversation while I pick out the least deformed stuff animals. I tell him I am from North Carolina. "Ah, that's where Micha Jordan... Michael Jordan was from," he says. "Yes!" I say. I love when people make that connection. I told him I also went to the university he went to. He tries to sell me a kangaroo pelt for $10 less than it was priced, but I say no thank you and move on. I explore the indoor area and get my dad some kangaroo salami from Hanhdorf (yes, I realize the idoicy of getting Hahndorf salami in Melbourne when I'm from Adelaide) and left before I spent more money. I walked the length of Victoria Street back to where I started my morning. I decided to go to Melbourne Museum because the bus driver said it was good and that it was only $10 and it was rainy, so a good day to do museums. The museum had a small rainforest area inside in the center. It's an actual growing rainforest with the massive ferns I love. There was an exhibit for animals, a dinosaur section, a human body section (with much more nudity and child nudity than would ever be allowed in an American museum- but to be fair, they did have signs posted warning of the nudity), a rock section, and a Melbourne section. I spent about 2 hours seeing everything before I decided I was tired and needed to walk to the hostel. I texted with Samara and we decided to get together Sunday afternoon. I got back to the hostel and ate my leftover noodles from the night before. I will probably also be making it a relatively early night again tonight. Maybe I am getting old, but I am tired, and I just don't feel like going out, especially alone. I will be meeting Grace in the city tomorrow. She wants to give me a tour, I am excited! It's been years since I have seen her and she's a local, so she will be able to take me to some good places!
Anyway, I got here last night. Sarah, who is engaged now by the way (she will gladly share the story if you missed it trending on twitter Wednesday night; she has plenty of pictures and video of the event), drove the 10ish hours it took to get us here. We were supposed to leave by 6am, but due to the late night proposal and following congratulative activities, we didn't get out until nearly 7am. We still made it to Melbourne by around 5:30 (and I forgot about the 30 minute time change until this morning). Anyway, We had made a couple stops along the way, including one at the Big Koala, before arriving. I bid her goodbye until Monday, checked in, and with no surprise, claimed for myself the only bunk open in the 12 dorm room- a top bunk. Yippe HooraY! I threw my stuff down, locking up stuff like laptops and money and passports, and booked it to the nearest grocery store. I bought some lunch meat and cheese from the deli, a couple of rolls, some fruit, and breakfast stuff to cover breakfast and lunches over the weekend. I noticed a cheap stir fry place on the way home and got dinner takeaway. I only ate half of it, so it ended up being dinner for 2 nights (score). I was so tired. Like shaking, maybe a litle dehydrated too, tired. I stayed up until around 9 (probably really 9:30 since I didn't take into account the time change) and then climbed into my top bunk. I read for about an hour, then stuck my earplugs in my ears, rolled over, and fell asleep with the light on.
I didn't hear anyone all night, and awoke around 7:45am (which I guess was really 8:15am) and no one was up yet, besides the 3 people who must have checked out early since their beds were empty and stripped (who I also didn't hear). I grabbed my already set-out-the-night-before clothes (I am so dang considerate!) and walked down the hall to the bathrooms. Ok, the bathrooms here. It makes up for being on the 3rd floor (which gets annoying when you keep forgeting things you meant to get). The bathrooms are self contained singles. I mean, you close the door and you have a toilet, sink, shower, and mirror, like a home bathroom, all to yourself. There are 3 of these on our floor. There are also a couple regular shared bathroom/showers down the hall, but Miss rise with the Sun is going to make sure I get up before 9 so I can grab the good stuff, haha. Anyway, I finish getting ready, grab my pre-packed bags from the night before, and go downstairs. I make breakfast and eat at the same seat against the wall as I did last night at dinner. Again, as always, all boys in the kitchen (do girls eat?), watching something so dumb on TV. I finish up, make a sandwich for lunch, and head down the street to catch a free tourist shuttle I had heard about. I finally locate the stop and realize I missed the first bus by 4 minutes. I wait 26 minutes with an older Australian couple, then climb on as it arrives. The bus has prerecorded commentary as well as commentary from the bus driver. I do a full loop of the city, taking about 90 minutes, then decide to get off at the Victoria Markets. I eat my packed lunch as I stroll through the aisles of produce outside. The people manning the booths are shouting, competing with neighboring booths, shouting about "Mangos! Pineapples!" I almost buy something in the excitement, but remember I have fruit at the hostel. I do want to buy a new temporary mascot for Melbourne. I forgot Gnomie at home, I was so upset. So I spot an adorable wombat and the man says they are 6 for 10 dollars. So I get 3 wombats and 3 more friends and pay him. He makes conversation while I pick out the least deformed stuff animals. I tell him I am from North Carolina. "Ah, that's where Micha Jordan... Michael Jordan was from," he says. "Yes!" I say. I love when people make that connection. I told him I also went to the university he went to. He tries to sell me a kangaroo pelt for $10 less than it was priced, but I say no thank you and move on. I explore the indoor area and get my dad some kangaroo salami from Hanhdorf (yes, I realize the idoicy of getting Hahndorf salami in Melbourne when I'm from Adelaide) and left before I spent more money. I walked the length of Victoria Street back to where I started my morning. I decided to go to Melbourne Museum because the bus driver said it was good and that it was only $10 and it was rainy, so a good day to do museums. The museum had a small rainforest area inside in the center. It's an actual growing rainforest with the massive ferns I love. There was an exhibit for animals, a dinosaur section, a human body section (with much more nudity and child nudity than would ever be allowed in an American museum- but to be fair, they did have signs posted warning of the nudity), a rock section, and a Melbourne section. I spent about 2 hours seeing everything before I decided I was tired and needed to walk to the hostel. I texted with Samara and we decided to get together Sunday afternoon. I got back to the hostel and ate my leftover noodles from the night before. I will probably also be making it a relatively early night again tonight. Maybe I am getting old, but I am tired, and I just don't feel like going out, especially alone. I will be meeting Grace in the city tomorrow. She wants to give me a tour, I am excited! It's been years since I have seen her and she's a local, so she will be able to take me to some good places!
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