So Melbs.....so long Down Unda
Trip Start
Mar 30, 2010
1
73
82
Trip End
Dec 13, 2012
Where I stayed
Chloe and Ben's Place
What I did
Party and throw eggs
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Friday, May 6, 2011
Now knowing people all over the world has become apart of my traveling resume. You end up having unique friendships scattered in random places. One that I had been in contact a few times with was a girl from my high school, Chloe. She had married an Aussie and moved to Melbourne. It's pretty wild that when you go somewhere and see someone from your old school roots. Now Chloe and I were not the best of friends in highschool, we had a couple classes together but that didn't effect her hospitality. She sounded rather excited to see me when we spoke on the phone. I was a little nervous to be honest to see how the reunion would go. When I finally found their apartment in St. Kilda, I was greeted at the door with a huge smile, big hug and a beer in hand.... for me! She introduced me to her husband Ben, whose a very funny, easy going character. He is a bigger Canadian hockey fan that I am....made me feel like I was lacking some patriotism. We had intentions of going out and hitting a bar or two to catch up but since we were having such a good time sitting in their amazing apartment that overlooks the F1 course in Melbourne....why go out?! And convientely enough, Chloe worked for a brewery in Melbs, so there was an abundance of beer varieties to choose from in the fridge. Before we knew it...the time flew by. Story after story, the night quickly disappeared. The last thing I remember doing before we went to bed was throwing rotten eggs off their 8th floor balcony somewhere around 3 am, and we giddily laughing about it. I knew I was seeing a high school friend....I didn't know I would be doing high school like things though?! In the morning, Chloe woke me up before she had to work. Her and Ben had offered the night before to drive me to the airport since it was closer to their place than my families home. It was a gracious offfer that I was contemplating but didn't want to over stay my welcome. They had been a ball to hang with the previous night, and I didnt want to have them waking up so early on their day off to take me to the airport. Chloe insisted it was no big deal at all. In fact, she didn't allow me to take the bus. I recieved an sms saying...."Nope!! We will wake up and take you ourselves!!" I headed back to the Mardirossian family home to pack up my things, and to say one last good bye to everyone. Thank you Rowville gang....Love you guys. Stay well. I couldnt have done half of the things I did when I was in Melbs if it wasn't for you guys! Bacheegs to all.
It was later in the evening that I had everything all packed and headed to the train station for the final time. I had thrown on my Team Canada hockey shirt....I figured it was appropriate since I was going to see a fellow country woman. At Flinders station, I had to change from my train to a tram which turned out to be quite the task. My back pack is like having a second person on your back and takes up a hell of a lot of space on a packed tram. St. Kildas is the place to head too on a friday night that didn't help matters. Tram after tram, they were packed to the brim. I watched 4 trams pass until I said to hell with it.....I will piss some people off and not care. I get some interesting looks when people see me approaching the doors. I managed to squeeze myself in. I looked like a total tourist with my monster bag and this bright red Canada shirt on. I know I am...but I prefer to blend in.
When I reached the apartment, Chloe buzzed me in and I headed up. I was sweaty and ready to sit and enjoy my last night down under. The door swung open, and there she was...standing in nearly the exact same Team Canada hockey, only the name on the back was different. We laughed as she invited me in. Then when I walked around the corner to see Ben, all I could see was red. He too was wearing a Canada hockey jersey. It was too much of a coincidence....What are the odds of that. We had to take some pics together. Before long, the hockey sticks, gloves and helmets were coming out as photo props. We ordered some pizzas (BLT pizza...mmmmmm kick ass and oddly tastes EXACTLY like the sandwich) and stayed in yet again having another fantastic evening until the early morning hours.
I must admit that after two late nights it was a rough waking up, but I managed. We had our morning coffees and hopped in the car. It was sad to be leaving. I was almost so zonked to even comprehend what was going on. Only thing I kept telling myself to remember ...Passport and wallet....the rest you can always buy again. Thankfully it all came with me though. Chloe and Ben, Thank you for everything and the short but extremely sweet times we had in those two funny nights. Its too bad we waited until to end to get together but we won`t be making that mistake next time. Road trip here we come!!! Take care of yourselves until we see each other again.
Well Australia....You have been a blast for the past 3 months. I am so happy that I made the last minute descision to come down and spend the time there. I was spoiled by all. I will not forget ANY of the times I had with all of you. Now time to suit up for the extremely long and boring 30 hour flight back to Munich Germany, via Beijing and Shanghai.
