When I travel to a new place I like to write down all the fun new things that stand out. I once read when you travel you should take photos straight away before the novelty wears off and things become mundane. I'm always conscious of that thought, of things becoming less special. It's kind of sad this happens but really just a reality for all of us in one way or another - perhaps why people get the itch to travel and experience new places :)
My friend Emaya (who graciously bought my plane ticket and was the best host ever) lives in Fitzroy a suburb close to Melbourne city and in my opinion way more awesome! Most of my photos were taken here and a lot of my upcoming blog posts will be all about that fitzroy :)
I went down in Autumn which is pretty much Winter for me (where I live in Queensland) except we don't get those pretty things that come with super cold weather like crunchy orange leaves!! I know the majority of people who read my blog aren't from Australia but if you can picture our country, Melbourne is right down the bottom and apart from Tasmania (the little island at the bottom) it's the closest to Antartica so yup it gets cold!
The good thing about travelling somewhere new for a short amount of time is that weather doesn't have enough time to swallow you up and hit you with negativity so I was one super happy camper with a slight ignoranance to any coldness.
The things I did notice and write down, were perhaps silly but I thought I'd list them and throw them in a post as a nice little pre-warmer as to what's to come :)
Things I noticed in Melbourne:
People stopped for me (always!) when I crossed the road. Emaya swore this wasn't a typical thing but I'm still going to include it and say that Melbourne peeps are exceptionally courteous! The streets of fitzroy were lined with super cute old houses, Emaya's house being no exception and I promise to show photos of her home tomorrow. Autumn leaves, good food (lots of vegan food - omg!!), curated shops, coffee with mango in it, excess of vintage cars and intermittent rain. Graff everywhere, somewhat bittersweet - the amazing graff alleyways blew my mind and deserves their own blog post but the bad tags on beautiful old brick houses gave me that sad, smiley, emoticon feeling. The filtered light in Melbourne blew me (and my camera) away and I found myself needing my sunnies 0.5% of the time. Yellow taxis and seagulls in suburbia, pubs with vegan options and a cute bike culture made me fall in love with a place I already knew had my heart.
Did you spot the seagull?
I hope by the end of all my posts you love Melbourne as much as I do!
I hope by the end of all my posts you love Melbourne as much as I do!
I spent a couple of days in Melbourne a few years ago and loved it. it's very artsy and creative. not as picture postcard perfect as Sydney but with maybe more character. not that I know either place well enough to really tell. anyhow, I totally get why you love it there. and I'm looking forward to seeing more pics. I miss Oz and would love to go back. if it wasn't so damn far away...
ReplyDeleteI feel like all the creative kids go down and live in Melbourne, just being there was super inspiring, it's got it's own thing going on for sure :) I like Sydney too, it's got the cool old thing going on but as you hinted at perhaps more polished. Actually I really like your description of it being more picture postcard perfect and Melbourne having more character. Though I'm like you, I haven't been in either place long enough to really pass too much judgement :P I'd be in Europe if it wasn't so damn far away!!
DeleteI want to go there :)
ReplyDeleteIt's awesome Sara!
DeleteI got to travel to Melbourne for a couple of days when I lived in Sydney, and it has to be one of my favorite cities. I loved the way you captured it though. I can't wait to one day go back. This post def, made me miss it.
ReplyDeleteJuli xx
So cool you lived in Sydney :) :) And yup Melbourne is definitely one of my favourite places too :)
DeleteMelbourne seems a cool & cosmopolitan place, I would love to visit one day. And ohmy! The seagull walking down the street is the cutest thing ever! :) a cool guy for such a rad place ;) I like that you write down all the things that capture your attention when in a new place, it rings so true what you are telling about the novelty wearing off, specially when the culture is similar to your homeplace, I think it's easier to not notice new things for instance in my case when I visit Italy (Mediterranean place like ours) than when we visited Japan or US which have such a different architecture, culture, food,... haha, I'm blabbing again! big hug Fee! Can't wait to see the rest!!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely easier for Japan! I think the more things differ from your own experiences the more they stay with you. After day seven in Melbourne everything seemed normal to me :) xoxoxo
DeleteI literally just got home from Melbourne and this was the first blog I had on my feed to read. I want to go back there already. I only got to spend one morning in Fitzroy but next time I want to spend more time there exploring the side streets. Good to hear you had a lovely time.
ReplyDeleteSuper congrats on your wedding!!!! How good is Fitzroy - definitely deserving of another visit :) Look forward to your Melbourne photos too!
DeleteMelbourne sounds and looks lovely Fee :) and i love your jelly shoes with your socks. so perfect for fall :)
ReplyDeleteEmaya warned me I'd need closed in shoes or sandal and socks, so I went with the latter :) :)
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