Drive thru liquor and other architectural wonders

Yesterday, I took a stroll through the downtown area of Melbourne, or CBD (central business district) as it is called here. I did not take my camera as it was raining for most of the day. Getting to the CBD was easy. There is a fantastic and easy to navigate train system set up throughout the city. Gavin's suburb, called Prarhan (pronounced per-ran) is only a 10 minute ride to the central station on Flinder's Street. Tomorrow I will be moving into a new residence another few minutes down the line in a suburb called Brighton.

Upon entering the city, it was clear that Melbourne is a city that prides itself on architecture. The Eureka building, tallest building in the southern hemisphere, has golden windows at the top strategically placed so that at the right time of day the sun will hit them and cast a beam of light across the city. There is a mix of modern versus old. Century old buildings found amongst the most modern of designs add a unique flavour and keep your attention around every corner. All the streets are lined with shop after shop, restaurants and places to have a drink, a big aspect of Melbourne culture.

There are very few limits on drinking in this city. It is accepted at anytime of the day, and in many public areas. As Gavin and I strolled through the Royal Botanical Gardens, on our way back to his place, I could already picture myself coming back on a sunny day, a bottle of wine in one hand and a pen and paper in the other. What better way to get the creative writing juices flowing?! So popular is drinking here, that there is actually a drive thru liquor store. It's true, I saw it with my own eyes!! There is a liquor store just up the street from Gavin's, called Dan Murphys, larger than any I have ever seen. It was the size of a supermarket... come to think of it, it is actually bigger than the supermarket just up the street from it. The selection of wines was more than I could process, and unbelievably cheap. I know I'll have my work cut out for me, trying to taste them all. I've also tried some delightfully named beers. So far, Fat Yak and Mountain Goat. Next on the list is Blue Tongue.

After bravely walking home from the CBD in the rain we went to check out the place I'll be living at for the next month, then had sushi for dinner with some of Gavin's mates. After that I was ready for sleep.... curse the jetlag. Today was pretty uneventful, since it mostly rained again, but tonight should be a blast. Gavin and I are attending a Movember Gala along the southbank of the Yarra river, which runs through Melbourne. Bottoms up!

... and now, back to predator week

"Hello, and welcome back to the show. This week we've been tracking the elusive jetlag. The jetlag is a ferocious hunter, undetectable by most until it's completely on top of them. Jetlag tricks its prey by lulling it into a sense of being awake and in peak physical condition. When the prey least expects it, the jetlag strikes. The victim is consumed in a matter of moments. Before they know it, their eyes feel heavy, conversation becomes difficult and the only thought running through the victim's mind is SLEEP! Today we have with us recent victim, Ryan. How are you today?"

"Well you know, for the moment I feel great, like I could hike up a mountain."

"So tell us, Ryan, when did you know you had fallen prey to a jetlag?"

"It's like you say, it gets you out of nowhere, when you least expect it. After just arriving in Melbourne, feeling great, I decided to walk around for the afternoon and check out the city. After a couple hours I went back to my friend's place. Before I could even sit on the couch, I was overwhelmed. Jetlag just grabbed me out of nowhere, I couldn't help but succumb to it and pass out."

"That's crazy! Was your friend there with you at the time? Did he do anything to help?"

"No, he just laughed at me and encouraged me to sleep. It was as if he himself was on jetlag's side."

"Wow, well how do you feel now, Ryan? Do you feel like you've finally escaped jetlag's claws?"

"Yes, in fact I feel great... I've.... def.... so sleepy..."

"Ryan! Ryan, are you okay?? Oh my gosh, are you getting this on camera? Keep rolling! ladies and gentleman..."

"Do you...*yawn*... have a couch I could...*yawn*... lay down on?"

"Ladies and gentleman, right before our very eyes, we have caught the jetlag. Wow, I never saw that coming. Just, out of nowhere... I'm speechless. Can somebody find Ryan a couch, a mattress, or a nice spot on the beach for him to sleep? There you have it folks, after a week of tracking, we've finally witnessed this predator in action. Jetlag... it'll get ya!"

Never a dull moment

Yesterday was my first day in Melbourne. What an amazing place. Already I'm in love. Not 15 minutes away is a beach stretching for kilometres. A pier projects out into the bay, at the end of which lives an actual penguin colony. That's right, penguins. I LOVE PENGUINS!!!! The adults venture out to sea during the day and come back at night. The babies remain, mostly hidden amongst the rocks, but not so much so that I couldn't see them. One had actually wandered out a bit and was just sitting beside the walkway, close enough to pick up and hold. It is of course prohibited to handle them, as they are wild and too much human interaction could affect their livelihood.

The day went on with a stroll along the beach, occasionally stopping to enjoy a beer on a patio. It was mostly overcast, but that didn't stop the sun from giving me a good burn! Lesson learned. First stop on the way home was the chemist (or pharmacy, as we call it in Canada) for some sun tan lotion. It didn't take long, after arriving back at Gavin's condo, for the jet lag, sun, beers and an afternoon of strolling to catch up with me. Most of the afternoon I spent in and out of sleep, trying to readjust myself to the new timezone by staying up as late as I possibly could. I mad it to about 9pm, but I was definitely ready for bed at that point. All things considered, I think I did pretty well. Before going to bed, I glanced out the window at the city skyline. I noticed the silhouette of a seagull sized bird flying towards me. As it got closer, though, I noticed it wasn't a bird at all, it was in fact a giant fruit bat!!! I've never seen such a large bat, it was amazing. Sometime soon I will be heading to a garden they populate to see the colony. All in all, it was an amazing first day. I can't wait for all the exciting things to come in the next few months.

The first class treatment

WOW! My first class treatment all began in San Francisco. The lounge was small, but full of free foods and drinks and internet and such. It was a nice place to chill while waiting for my flight. Then came the call for boarding.

As I approached the gate I could see a long line had already formed. Naturally, being one of the regular folks, I got in line. That's when I recognised somebody from the lounge going through another door..... with no line-up. I was on the plane in no time!

As I approached the door of the plane I watched as all the passengers were directed to the right with only a "1st aisle please" or "2nd aisle please". When I handed my ticket to attendant, "Ahh, Mr. Atwill, you will be up this way." I turned to the left. It was as if I had been admitted into a secret club. I marvelled at the space, my seat which turned into a bed, my own completely adjustable tv, a bag on my seat which included an extra pair of socks for the plane so I could sit back and relax for the 14ish hour flight. Need I go on? Okay, as soon as I sat down I was offered a glass of champagne while we waited for the plane to take off, then asked what I would like as a drink after taking off. I think they were trying to get me drunk!

I was painfully clear, to anybody that looked at me, that this was my first time in first class. I must have had the look of a child discovering something for the first time. I quickly made myself comfortable and after take off, enjoyed a wonderful meal with wine, then proceeded to transform my chair into a bed and passed out!

I awoke to the cabin lights coming on. A bit groggy and completely unaware of any time, I turned my tv to check on the flight progress. WHOA!!?? we were only an hour and 50 mins from Auckland. The flight, along with November 23rd, completely vanished. I slept for the whole thing..... amazing! I was served breakfast and had just enough time to tidy myself up and before I knew it I was on the ground.

Being a pro first classer now, I immediately made my way to the lounge. No detours, no stops, straight on into the best party in the airport... except it is 7am, so no liquor, only orange juice. The lounge here is much larger and has showers, which believe me are a necessity after so long in transit. Probably more so for the people around me than myself hahaha. So now I await my final first class flight from Auckland to Melbourne.... I have seen the light, it is called first class.

A message from Sally Struthers

Every year, every day, people from all around the world fall victim to a most tragic event... THE INTERNATIONAL DATELINE!

Hi, I'm Sally Struthers and I'm here to talk to you about an affliction affecting so many people, losing an entire day in time. I know what you're thinking, it's not possible, it's too horrible a thing that it couldn't be real. Look at Ryan though, this year he will completely lose November 23rd. Gone. As if it never existed.... but you can help!

Help raise awareness of international dateline-itis by experiencing it for yourself. This year, visit a friend in Australia, i.e. Ryan. Show him you care by missing an entire day in time to visit. You know it's the right thing to do, act now!

Just Getting Started

Please excuse the mundane appearance of the blog at this time. I plan to set it up a little better when I have the time to do so. I am right now sitting in the first class lounge of San Francisco airport waiting for my flight. I figured I would take advantage of the free internet access, you know, not the "free" but only if you pay kinda internet offered in the rest of the airport, but really free access hahaha! At any rate, expect improvements SOON!