I have spent well over a year of my life in Melbourne, Australia. There are many unique things that have have come to enjoy over the years about Melbourne. A lot of my days in Melbourne are routine, but what lies in the routine is hardly ordinary.My morning starts out with a right turn out of the hotel and right into a small cafe owned by a few Italian-Australians. The first day I went in, the two men behind the counter struck up a conversation with me as they made my Cappuccino. The next day I walked in and the balding Italian guy immediately started making my Cappuccino without me asking and started a conversation about the tennis. I am now a loyal customer and will be until I depart for New Zealand.
My mornings continue with a 25 minute walk to the Tennis Centre. Typically I have my iPod pumping out some tunes which allows me to take in the sights without hearing the usual annoying sounds of the morning commuters. What I see is the great architecture and the clean streets. I also see the old style and the modern trams shuttling thousands of people to work. I see the attractive Aussie women dressed impeccably for work (not that I'm LOOKING).
Once I get out of the city, I begin trekking along the Yarra River. Even though my iPod is spinning some heavy metal tunes, the view couldn't be better or more soothing. Every morning hundreds of rowers are preparing for their morning crew practice on calm water. There are also countless commuters on bikes speeding to work as if they are late or trying to beat their time from the day before.
And then comes the tennis. Nothing is more routine than tennis. Men's matches are 5 sets (no tiebreak in the 5th) and Women's are 3 sets also with no tiebreak in the 3rd. Doubles matches are always boring and the Serbian Fans are always going to fight with the Bosnian fans. Every now and then the excitement level rises when Federer is playing Nadal, but typically the matches go on with out much excitement. But the simple fact that the tennis is being played in Melbourne makes it special.
So, the next time you think that your routine is boring and you're looking for a change, just look a little deeper for the things that made your day routine to begin with. Chances are you'll see the day a little clearer and appreciate the simple tasks as unique.
4 comments:
I bet those 1.2 yrs spent here have been some of the BEST of ur life. Understandable.
Looking 4ward 2 the next installment.
Staring at the attractive Aussie women is likely a better description.
Half-way across the world, the plain American wife is looking to plan a romantic weekend getaway (that can't be refunded). Which weekend can the jet-setting husband commit to: March 7, March 21, or March 28? You need to be available on the Saturday and Sunday.
Not sure whether i am enjoying the blog or the comments sections more. Naturally we do our best in Australia to make you feel welcome, glad to see it is all part of the experience. Over a year in Aus is impressive. You can go for citizenship soon.
Enjoy the remaining days of routine.
Hmmm......so it's now been 11 days since the last update and i'm wondering if we'll c anything soon. I guess this FANTASTIC iPhone isn't as gr8 as every1 thinks.
Post a Comment