6.21.06
Melbourne
Apparently, they issue red lipstick to Australian broads in the same manner that Razr phones are issued to residents of Los Angeles.
A peculiar thing I’ve had to get used to is foot traffic mimicking the backwards automobile traffic. The awkward “which way are you going to pass me” moment is made even more complicated when I want to pass right and the other person wants to pass to the left of me. By the time I leave here I’ll be used to it and it will take a few head-butts in the city for me to get back in American mode.
We visited the Royal Botanical Gardens today, where I found my favorite tree in Australia. Of course, this tree is not indigenous to the continent, but is instead from Southern Asia. Go figure. I also had the opportunity to eat a meat pie for the first time. I’ve been told that meat pies are to Aussies what hamburgers are to Americans. Nathan and I shared a beef meat pie and, well, it’s like a pot roast pot pie. I’d rather have eaten a cheeseburger.
We also visited the ANZAC rememberance site today. ANZAC is an acronym for Australia-New Zealand Army Corp. Normally, “war memorial” type structures creep me out a little; but this had some pretty clever architecture and the top balcony allowed for a nice view of the city. I also picked up some pretty amusing WWI ANZAC propaganda posters.
My favorite cultural intricacy of Melbourne is the hook turn. Melbourne has trams that run in the middle of their streets (where we sometimes would find turning lanes in the US). When cars wish to turn right (their wide turn, equivalent to our left) instead of blocking the tram by waiting in the middle of the road for a clearing, the cars veer to the left and put their blinkers on. When the light changes for the cross-traffic, the cars turn 90 degrees and drive on through. I am trying to teach myself Flash on this trip, and my first effort is an animation of the hook turn. I know it’s difficult to grasp verbally, so if I do in fact finish the animation, everyone reading this will eventually get it. If not, you’ll have to figure it out yourself – sucks to be you!
Apparently, they issue red lipstick to Australian broads in the same manner that Razr phones are issued to residents of Los Angeles.
A peculiar thing I’ve had to get used to is foot traffic mimicking the backwards automobile traffic. The awkward “which way are you going to pass me” moment is made even more complicated when I want to pass right and the other person wants to pass to the left of me. By the time I leave here I’ll be used to it and it will take a few head-butts in the city for me to get back in American mode.
We visited the Royal Botanical Gardens today, where I found my favorite tree in Australia. Of course, this tree is not indigenous to the continent, but is instead from Southern Asia. Go figure. I also had the opportunity to eat a meat pie for the first time. I’ve been told that meat pies are to Aussies what hamburgers are to Americans. Nathan and I shared a beef meat pie and, well, it’s like a pot roast pot pie. I’d rather have eaten a cheeseburger.
We also visited the ANZAC rememberance site today. ANZAC is an acronym for Australia-New Zealand Army Corp. Normally, “war memorial” type structures creep me out a little; but this had some pretty clever architecture and the top balcony allowed for a nice view of the city. I also picked up some pretty amusing WWI ANZAC propaganda posters.
My favorite cultural intricacy of Melbourne is the hook turn. Melbourne has trams that run in the middle of their streets (where we sometimes would find turning lanes in the US). When cars wish to turn right (their wide turn, equivalent to our left) instead of blocking the tram by waiting in the middle of the road for a clearing, the cars veer to the left and put their blinkers on. When the light changes for the cross-traffic, the cars turn 90 degrees and drive on through. I am trying to teach myself Flash on this trip, and my first effort is an animation of the hook turn. I know it’s difficult to grasp verbally, so if I do in fact finish the animation, everyone reading this will eventually get it. If not, you’ll have to figure it out yourself – sucks to be you!
posted by serota at 11:39 PM
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