Melbourne

(I've been terrible with writing, keeping in touch, and updates in general, so this is everything I can think of before I forget. I might add more as things come to me.)

SOME Highlights of my time here in Melbourne are included, but not limited to:

- Polish Bouncer ridiculing me with the following: "Tell me, why are Americans so stupid?" He wasn't excluding present company. Apparently, this video is the source for every non-American's view of the good ole U.S. of A.;

- Aforementioned bouncer unable to name 10 states in the USA (He was able to produce the following: Utah, California, Florida, East Virginia, West Virginia, Chicago, and New Orleans);

- 50,000 people dressed head to toe in white for Sensation on NYE;

- 4 seasons in one day, everyday;

- Being told I have a lovely accent, and being the only American for miles;

- Learning about cricket/ pretending to care about cricket;

- Seeing a wild kangaroo (it was roadkill, but still, I will see one with a pulse eventually);

- learning to look right when crossing the road, without the nifty London precautions spray-painted on the ground for  foreigners' convenience; 

- GOON;

- Hearing my British friend's story of how he learned Father Christmas wasn't real: "I heard a loud noise downstairs, and when I came out of my room I saw my dad had fallen down proper pissed at the bottom of the stairs, in a pile of presents. It now makes sense why we put out bourbon and meat pie instead of cookies." 

- Spilling a beer on a banker my  first night waitressing at a chic lounge... oops;

- Moonlight cinema in the Botanical Gardens, with the bats across the sky right at sunset; 

- The picturesque beaches; 

- Learning to say Mel-bin; 

- Introducing travelers to Dave Chappelle's Killing Them Softly, and watching it with them and thus reliving the first time experience; 

- Cooking for 25 people in the hostel for family night (they liked it!);

- Christmas dinner at a traveler's house in the 'burbs, with 15 people and homemade Pimms; 

- Highly advertised hangover magic cure pills, in movie previews and on TV all the time;

- Bouncers at the Bottle Shops (liquor stores) after hours, and yours truly being turned away... Subsequently arguing my right to purchase goon and go home to drink if I feel like it, and who the hell are you that you can *magically* discern my B.A.C. from way over there? You're just a doorman, doorman! Doorman! Doorman! DOORMAN! 

- Hearing the Obama acceptance speech mashed over a techno song at Sensation on NYE, and the crowd (of 50,000) going nuts.

- Watching the original Batman movie from the 60's with 4 Dutch guys... priceless. 

Anyway. I have been here a month, have been working sporadically at a lounge, making some monies, and enjoying the city. Met many quality people, of course. French, German, Dutch,  Belgium, English, Australian, Canadian, Austrian, Italian... amazing. I am ready to get on the road, though, I'll be leaving on Saturday to drive up the East Coast, ending my trip in Port Douglas. I plan to take about a month to do so, then off to New Zealand. Pretty much hopping my way back up to Thailand, where my return flight leaves from. Ill be back by the end of May, in time for Alexis' wedding in SB! 

Miss you all very much, and I was so glad to hear from everyone over the holidays, especially when my grandma passed away. It was tough being far away from home - and alone - during a time of loss. It's nice to feel the love from the other side of the world, it certainly made it easier to get through. Thanks :o) 

Much love to you all.

xx