So, it’s March. For Australia, that means the start of
Autumn. Hard to believe I’ve seen out an entire season here. And let me tell
you, Summer in Melbourne is pretty effin sweet. And active. In fact, I was a bit
overwhelmed by the breadth of choices on any given day really, but especially
any given weekend. I mean, massive events happening all over town, and you can
only do one at a time. And really, you can only do one period. Because I use
the term “town” lightly. In fact, different neighborhoods in Melbourne are
essentially like traveling to different cities. Different culture & people
& places. And all so far apart. Well. Comparatively.
Probably my favorite times here are spent on my bicycle.
Galaxy, she’s called. (Appropriately named by some lady on the street because
of the wicked splattered blue and silver paint job.) There’s a bike shop in my
neighborhood called The Freedom Machine. The name couldn’t be more
representative. I can get anywhere in the city on my bike. And fortunately,
there is frequently comfortable infrastructure all the way. (In fact, recently I
had to get to the outer suburbs, and a little research showed me a cyclist’s ferry for crossing the river.
It was fun, and is partially funded by the Department of Transportation, thus
encompassing one aspect of official public transportation – awesome!).
Otherwise, there are heaps of bike lanes, and even cycling and walking trails
that will get you many places, without cars whizzing by. So, yes, biking here
is really great. Not too hilly to boot.
Also, public art is very big here. In fact, at one point I
considered an entire entry entitled “have a little heART”. But I suppose the
title is about as far as I got. Sometimes the city sponsors big public
displays.
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| Christmas in the summertime! |
And in some places, it’s not regulated, but is condoned. Right in the
CBD for instance. Yes, this leniency toward graffiti means there is some really
unimpressive simplicity displayed along train lines and alleys what not. But it
also means there are some really remarkable pieces.
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| Alleyways dedicated to graffiti allow artists to perform in the daytime, and not lurk around in the night. |
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| "Raise your hearts in marvel for this painting captivates the immediacy of your eternal presents without application of technology or conceptual engagment" |
I also give props to the city for supporting a number of
impressive displays. From the simple to the extravagant.
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| Sweet laser light show projected onto Town Hall |
Admittedly, it's not all sunshine & rainbows in Melbourne summer of course. This has been the hottest recorded summer in many many years. And as usual, the bushfires ravaged multiple parts of the country. And where fires don't strike, the residual smoke does. Check out this smoke cloud moving in. It seemed to appear spontaneously, real apocalyptic-like.
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| View from the train |
Oh, and then the wildlife. If I’m going to be outside, I’m
bound to encounter other outdoorsmen.
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| You know koalas spend the vast majority of their lives eating eucalyptus leaves. This baby's learning the ropes... |
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| And wallabies spend a lot of their time relaxing. These animals have really got it right. |
And then, of course, the beach. We just don’t have beaches
like this in Texas. At least not ones I’ve seen. And there was ninety-four
miles of this one! And check out how many people are on it… so good.
Anyway. I have many exciting travel plans in the next two months, all culminating in my exodus from this city. I'm very much looking forward to exploring new places in this massive island-country.
Life is good. Love to you all.
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| Accidental photo, but I like it. |
