From Melbourne, With Love

Hey guys, dunno how many will still be bothered to come here to read what i have to write but I am just happy that u r sticking around. May it be just a handful of u, it is already enough.

This is the 6th day i am in Melbourne, a city which I am getting to know more and more with each passing day. From crossing streets with much hesitance, rudely awakened by stinging winter chilliness in the middle of the night, and feeling a little intimidated by towering whites with heavy accents during the first few days, i think I am slowly taking everthing into my system, slowly assimilating into this giant melting pot of vivacious cultures and people.

So far, Melbournians prove to be one of their kinds. Generally a friendly lot with a certain level of civic-mindedness. Pedestrians are given way by cars, the streets are clean and people generally mind their own business with a sense of deliberate refrainment from infringing on others too much. It seems that everyone: young and old, normal and queer ( 'queer' is used to refer to gays and lesbians), whites or non-whites,has a voice above the din of bustling city life. Everyone is respected for who he/she is.

I feel that I am being a second chance to live, in a city where there is much to live for. Went out into the city for the first timewith cousin and his housemate Francis a couple of days ago and was taken aback by how alive Melbourne city is. Not just because there are plenty of people walking around, by more of its tolerance to diversity, in terms of different types of buildings: from magnificent clock towers and churches to mega shopping centres to stately libraries, they form an interesting juxtaposition of textures and colours. A few more streets down you come to the Yarra River, an exclusive state of serenity in the midst of the hurried city. We bought some KFC chicken wings and just huddled next to the bank of the river, biting into hot crunchy chicken wings that sent fuzzy warmth down our winter-chilled bodies. There were a few people rowing kayaks in the river, with several more strolling with prams and kids along its banks. A few hungry sea gulls flew down around us and eyeing our crumbs greedily. The moon hung low and round against the still river and pink-hued evening sky, the crisp,shrill chirping of the seagulls circling above broke the otherwise soothing tranquility. It was a magical experience.

Fingers are getting a lil numb from the coldness. So will stop here. Just hope that all of u are kicking and doing well, wherever u are, whatever u are doing. Take care.

Lotsa luv,
me in melbourne