Every week in Cursor, the TU/e uni paper, there is a report from a student currently studying overseas, under the title “En hoe is het in …” (“And how is it in …”). I don’t always read it, but it’s a good idea, and interesting to read Dutch opinions of other countries.
Recently there have been several reports from Australia. All were very positive, especially about the friendliness of the people and the activities and opportunities here. The student in Melbourne wrote about the multiculturalism of the city and the coffee/beer culture in the alleyways, which is something I particularly like. Although the student in Brisbane described a ute as being a pimped pickup truck — it’s not how I’d describe a ute in general, but maybe in Brisbane all the utes are pimped.
This got me thinking about my impressions of Melbourne, seeing as I don’t spend a lot of time there these days, and it’s quite strange returning after so many months away. For example, even more (mostly Belgian-style) chocolate shop chains have appeared since I was last there. (Although I visited one, I didn’t make a purchase, as I think I’m over Belgian chocolates. I did revisit the Belgian Beer Cafe though.)
Water restrictions were still in place, and the countryside was greenish but dry. I still have no idea though how one is supposed to have a four-minute shower, as we were reminded to do in letter drops from the council/government. Having a bucket in the shower is the new trend — the excess water that is collected can be used on the garden. My mother gave me a lecture on how I can legally wash the car, but I didn’t bother.
A good Melbourne activity is eating/drinking, and one of the great food locations in Melbourne is the Queen Vic Market. I paid a visit to the day market for the first time in years — Eindhoven’s markets are amazingly sedate and civilised in comparison. We normally head to the Night Market on Wednesdays over summer, which is where I first discovered poffertjes. The food stands offer all sorts of multicultural dishes, the people working there are dressed in the theme of their stand, and the place is packed by 6pm, so there’s a very vibrant atmosphere. Our favourites are the burritos (mainly because it’s my ex-colleague’s son-in-law’s business) and crocodile burgers. Still on eating/drinking, tea and scones at the National Gallery of Victoria also didn’t disappoint.
And that’s how it was in Melbourne. Not much has changed after eight months.
2 Comments
February 10, 2009 at 10:07 am
Melbourne is such a sad place to be right now, bushfires and all. Too many people have died, and those who survived have such horrific stories to tell.
I think a lot of people aren’t talking about it because it’s just too painfull. Reading the pages and pages in the morning papers is enough to bring a tear to the eye.
One thing Melbourne has that most other places around the world do not: bushfires.
February 10, 2009 at 5:16 pm
Agreed, but I’m going to be dreadfully selfish though and point out that you’ve preempted my next post …