Queen of the Kookaburra.

"Blogging, Take 2"

Ahem. So let me try this again. So Sydney was great, but as of now I am loving Melbourne so much more. And no, it isn't pronounced "Mel-BURN," but rather "Mel-bine." Australians don't say their r's as Americans do. We have the tendency to over-pronounce words. Also, they add random r's to the ends of words... even 'no.'

I flew to Melbourne on Feb. 13th (just over a month ago). Literally after I checked into my hostel I went directly to see the Uni (Melbourne University). It is gorgeous. It has the same 'feel' as Berkeley, except that the building as much closer together (there are cool walkways between old and new buildings). Next, I went to see Queen's College (where I would be living). Wow. I was in shock. It literally looks Hogwarts-esque. It has been here since 1887.




After staying in the hostel for two nights (and exploring the city with Jessica Gresham, from Berkeley), we took a taxi to Newman College for the "Melbourne Welcome Program" for international students. This program was a lot of fun. I met students from all over the world (Dominican Republic, Mexico, Sweden, Canada, England, Germany, France, etc.) and a bunch of Americans (mainly from the east Coast). I went up Eureka Tower (90 stories), went to Ocean Grove Beach, had a 'Pleasant Friday Afternoon' (wine, cheese and crackers, music, socializing), went to the zoo, ate a fancy dinner with cocktails, explored the city, and saw many of Melbourne's sights. It was a lot of fun. And it was how I met most of the people I hang out with now.




After the four-day Melbourne Welcome Program (in which I was busy all day, and had no time to even speak to my parents to let them know I am still alive), I moved back into the hostel for four nights (I couldn't move into my housing yet). Over the next few days Jess and I explored the city some more. We went to a free concert of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra in the Botanical Gardens twice (amazing!!), saw the State Library (finally, free internet), went to the Queen Victoria Market (cheap clothes and fresh food), attempted to explore Fitzroy (an area of Melbourne), and more. Each night we would make dinners back in the hostel's kitchen to save money on food. The best was when we had just created our cheap pasta with some plain tomato sauce, and next to us were four-Italian guys making one of the most gourmet pasta meals of my life. I kept comparing the two dinners (both created in similar conditions) and I thought the situation was absolutely hilarious... stupid Americans; we don't know how to cook good meals.





I am doing my best in keeping everyone up-to-date, but it is most difficult as I have been sick for the last two and a half weeks (my voice is still disappearing). And no, it isn't because I have been going out too much...

posted by AMB @ 8:26 PM