Wednesday, March 31, 2010
In the city!
So the past few days I've been hanging around the city of Melbourne, just walking about, trying to get a feel for the place. So far, it seems very much like Toronto... but kinda better. People are cool, population is diverse, lots of quirky neighbourhoods and PALM TREES. That's the bonus factor that puts it over the top.
Yesterday I visited the immigration museum, detailing Australia's controversial history of accepting immigrants. The country used to be pretty intolerant, actually enforcing a "White Australia" policy until the 1970s or so... Today, the country is a lot more accepting towards people of different backgrounds, although xenophobia and racism does still exist.
Today I was in Chinatown, which not surprisingly is wayyy smaller than the one in Toronto. The dumplings are super cheap and super delicious though. I also visited the Victorian Parliament House- aka Queen's Park of Victoria- the province that I'm in. I quizzed the tour guide on his knowledge of Australian federalism- yes I know, I'm a douchebag... and I snapped a bunch of cool photos in the very pretty garden. As I was leaving the Parliament House, there were a row of five girls with their mouths taped and the word LIFE written on the tape... so clearly I approached them and asked what they were doing (they were there from when I passed by 3 hours earlier)... the girl I asked told me she was praying for the children that do not have a voice before they are killed because of abortions... kiiiiinda scary... i took a pic :)
I also bought a bunch of CDs for super cheap and now I am poor. Go me.
Oh side note... I have a fun wager with my cousin that may turn out really badly for me... so some of you might know the quiz site http://www.sporcle.com for those of you that don't, check it out... anyways, I bet my cousin that I can name more countries of the world than he can on that quiz. The competition is in an hour. If I win, he pays for my flight to New Zealand (approx. $250)... If I lose, he also pays... for a tattoo of the Australian flag on my arm. I figure this is win/win... plus I own at that quiz. Anyways, time to go study! I want my free flight :)
Oh.. forgot to add pics... here are some!
Yesterday I visited the immigration museum, detailing Australia's controversial history of accepting immigrants. The country used to be pretty intolerant, actually enforcing a "White Australia" policy until the 1970s or so... Today, the country is a lot more accepting towards people of different backgrounds, although xenophobia and racism does still exist.
Today I was in Chinatown, which not surprisingly is wayyy smaller than the one in Toronto. The dumplings are super cheap and super delicious though. I also visited the Victorian Parliament House- aka Queen's Park of Victoria- the province that I'm in. I quizzed the tour guide on his knowledge of Australian federalism- yes I know, I'm a douchebag... and I snapped a bunch of cool photos in the very pretty garden. As I was leaving the Parliament House, there were a row of five girls with their mouths taped and the word LIFE written on the tape... so clearly I approached them and asked what they were doing (they were there from when I passed by 3 hours earlier)... the girl I asked told me she was praying for the children that do not have a voice before they are killed because of abortions... kiiiiinda scary... i took a pic :)
PRO LIFERS!
I also bought a bunch of CDs for super cheap and now I am poor. Go me.
Oh side note... I have a fun wager with my cousin that may turn out really badly for me... so some of you might know the quiz site http://www.sporcle.com for those of you that don't, check it out... anyways, I bet my cousin that I can name more countries of the world than he can on that quiz. The competition is in an hour. If I win, he pays for my flight to New Zealand (approx. $250)... If I lose, he also pays... for a tattoo of the Australian flag on my arm. I figure this is win/win... plus I own at that quiz. Anyways, time to go study! I want my free flight :)
Oh.. forgot to add pics... here are some!
Eureka Tower- tallest building in Melbourne
I was appointed speaker of the house... g'day!
Sunday, March 28, 2010
DAY ONE
Woah,
So Melbourne is actually pretty awesome. It's kinda cloudy and kinda windy, but this city seems like a much more laid back version of Toronto. The trip was ridiculously long, connecting in both LA and Auckland, and on my last flight a kid threw a fork at my face... but other than that I arrived relatively unscathed. I'm about to take off to learn how to drive on the WRONG side of the road... but other than that I'm just gonna take it easy. 30+ hours in transit really blows. Stay tuned for pictures soon!
-Hakim
So Melbourne is actually pretty awesome. It's kinda cloudy and kinda windy, but this city seems like a much more laid back version of Toronto. The trip was ridiculously long, connecting in both LA and Auckland, and on my last flight a kid threw a fork at my face... but other than that I arrived relatively unscathed. I'm about to take off to learn how to drive on the WRONG side of the road... but other than that I'm just gonna take it easy. 30+ hours in transit really blows. Stay tuned for pictures soon!
-Hakim
Sunday, March 7, 2010
19 Days...
Hi Everybody!
This is the opening post to my soon to be awesome travel blog! It's not quite awesome yet... because... you know... the traveling hasn't started... anywho I'm still in Toronto, 19 days away from peacing out to Australia, all on my oddy knocky (yea.. i just finished reading clockwork orange and i'm douchily using the linguo). Hope to keep in touch through this blog so comment on posts or shoot me an email whenever!
This is the opening post to my soon to be awesome travel blog! It's not quite awesome yet... because... you know... the traveling hasn't started... anywho I'm still in Toronto, 19 days away from peacing out to Australia, all on my oddy knocky (yea.. i just finished reading clockwork orange and i'm douchily using the linguo). Hope to keep in touch through this blog so comment on posts or shoot me an email whenever!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)