On the up and up

Just back from Melbourne (ok like a week ago) and I'm happy to report that the city rocks. The best part: it's a real city. There are trams running down the streets, tall buildings in every direction, dingy little apartments, graffiti, and beggars and homeless people.

Somehow Perth missed the boat on some of these things, and while it's a beautiful place with amazing parks and gardens and shiny clean streets, it's not a REAL city. Especially not to someone who lived in New York before arriving.

I spent the first four days on my own, before Rob and his family arrived and the family madness ensued, and walked around the entire city and all of the places we're thinking of trying to find an apartment. I walked, drank coffee, shopped, and walked more. And I came to the conclusion that I want to live in either Fitzroy or Richmond (how's that for irony. possibly my address will contain Richmond once again).

Here's a photo of my favorite street in the city... Brunswick Street. Kind of East Village-ish but slightly less alternative, more boutique-y.
So now it's just a matter of finding that dream apartment when we get there in February! Keep your fingers crossed for us!

Ah, and the real reason for going to Melbourne. Rob's dad's 50th. Big party. It's amazing how 150 forty and fifty year olds can manage to get pretty crazy. Here's a photo of me with Rob and cousins Jared and Dylan.