Heaps, keen, arvy, and pawpaw

The accent! I have never heard a more fun accent. "How you going?" Is my favorite saying so far..
The pace. It reminds me of living in Italy, there is still hustle and bustle in the city but outside the city, in the burbs, it's very relaxed and more my style! Everyone is calm and collected and school doesn't start until about 9!

I couldn't have asked for better first few days. Our exploration started in the city, with Fed Square and the iconic graffiti alley just off the square. We traveled outside the free tram zone toward Kilda St and saw marvelous bakeries filled with the most beautiful pastries I've ever seen!! First regret: not trying one. The next day we visited the Melbourne zoo and I can now say life is complete because I witnessed Koala's!!!!! With my own eyes!!!! Savannah and I were keen to do some shopping around the Queen Victoria market that arvy and it was just like an OC swap meet! It's a must when visiting Melbourne, (Wednesday night was better than day).

I went for my first run yesterday and got so wonderfully lost it was amazing. I saw an episcopal church which always reminds me of my freshman college roommate Anna, and a gorgeous Catholic Church which reminds me of my mum and two of my lacrosse girls ;) I strolled through lots of small parks, witnessing school children playing around in the grass, business men catching the tram home, and a few fellow runners keeping fit.
After our long day we headed out towards Brunswick where a very dear friend of mine lives and works. We got a bit lost on the way, getting off the tram too soon -- twice. We finally asked for directions and the young adults we asked immediately took out their phones and looked it up for us! The kindness and willingness to help was incredible. The response once google maps loaded was "you're heaps far, you don't want to walk that!!!" Back on the tram we got and on our way to Mr. Wilkinson's Bar.
 I met Julia while I was backpacking in Europe, Barcelona to be exact. Julia's the very gal that introduced me to pawpaw, my favorite ointment for chapped lips, dry cuticles and "nappy rash" which I don't have because nappy rash is diaper rash. It was so special to see her because we share such wonderful memories from traveling together. It's cool meeting new people and hearing their stories and sharing in the making of memories together.

It's our last day in Melbourne and even with the overcast weather we are going to make the best of it!! Will keep you all posted soon :)

Cheers,
Kali