Possums in the city
I've been told by authoritative sources that I don't need to leave Melbourne to find wildlife.
I'm staying in Carlton, about a fifteen minute walk from downtown, and apparently in the park in front of my hotel you can see possums at night. Flynig foxes prefer Lincoln Square, a few blocks away. And all sorts of exotic birds can be seen in the botanical gardens.
I found some exotic potato chips in the local 7-Eleven, with flavors like Lime & Black Pepper, Sweet Chilli and Sour Cream, Honey-Baked Ham, and Tzatziki.
The Australian dollar is about equal to the U.S. dollar, which makes things convenient but not very cheap. I paid $34 yesterday for the Lonely Planet guide to Melbourne -- one of their slender city guides -- and, at that price, will read every page.
Carrying the precious guide back to my hotel I passed a woman in a hijab who was pushing a stroller with both her hands and talking on her cell phone at the same time, the phone conveniently held on her cheek by her tight head scarf.
At the entrance to the Royal Dental Hospital of Melbourne I found the Toothpick Cafe, which had a nice selection of hot and cold foods, plus two types of gluten-free cookies.
This morning I woke up at 5 a.m. and the possums suddenly made sense, as Melbourne, I remembered, is Dame Edna's hometown.
Comments
mmmm..."hamchips"
Actually, those shrimp chips from the Japanese markets are really good...in plain or wasabi flavor!
Posted by: jen | July 18, 2008 1:22 PM
Tom
Thanks again for the wonderful session today and a lovely lunch.
Hopefully you're safely ensconsed in a pub away from the rain (random rain is, however, a True Melbourne Experience). I am sure you have a list of things a mile long to do, but from a food and variety of people and real-person Melbourne perspective, I have one more for you - the Queen Victoria Market down at the very south end of Carlton is the largest of the fresh food markets in the city (I think other than Adelaide it's the largest retail food market in the country). Open Tuesday, Thurs/Fri/Sat/Sun. There's also one of the original Asian supermarkets over the road on Therry Street.
Also thought I'd put in a plug for the Friday night AFL game if you're thinking of going whilst you're here - it's Geelong vs Hawthorn (they're first and third on the ladder right now so it should be great). I am prepared to disclose a very strong family allegiance to Geelong but on the upside if you decide to go my dad, uncle and brother can probably help you out on the meat pie search.
Thank you again. Keep a hopeful eye out for my name :)
Caroline
Posted by: Caroline Evans | July 20, 2008 6:13 AM
Hi Tom,
Ta very much again for the excellent workshop, it was really useful... and who knows words may be published with my photos. I know you are planning a Ballarat/Bendigo jaunt - and if you are in Ballarat now you will doubtless be aware that it's the coldest town in Victoria. However if you want to venture to the balmy south (ie Port Fairy), this is to let you know the train goes from Melbourne to Warrnambool (close by) and takes three hours. You're welcome to stay with my wife Carolyn and myself as our guest for a day or two if you like. A current local attraction is the migration of the southern right whales from Antarctica to Warrnambool. Told you it was balmy here.
Posted by: Richard Crawley | July 21, 2008 8:07 AM
Dear Caroline and Richard,
Thanks so much for your kind comments and suggestions. I'm in Bendigo right now (this was the recommendation I received from a few of the history professors at the Borders and Crossings conference. It looks as if I'll have to return to Australia.
Posted by: tom swick | July 23, 2008 2:15 AM