I’m in Melbourne this week house sitting. Tomorrow I plan to tram it into the city and hit up all the shops that we don’t have in my country town, like JB HiFi and Mag Nation and Borders. Although I won’t actually buy anything in Borders – I will browse and find something wonderful to read over coffee, and then bugger off and buy it cheaper somewhere else. Cue evil laugh…
This week’s photos will all be Melbourne shots I take as I’m hotfooting it around this beautiful city. There’s something of a rivalry between Melbourne and Sydney as to which city is the prettiest, and while Sydney is gorgeous with all its harbourside views and whatnot, Melbourne still has a pull over me that Sydney never will. Mind you, the fact that I spent most of my childhood in Melbourne, head down there on weekends fairly regularly and have only been to Sydney maybe a dozen times… well that might have something to do with it too. Maybe.
Sydney’s got that harbour
And Adelaide’s got those churches
Brisbane’s very hot a lot of the time
And Perth’s very far away
Hey-hey-hey
Melbourne – Scared Weird Little Guys (beware – cultural references ahead!)
The above three photos were all taken today, by the way. Melbourne is also known for its highly unpredictable weather patterns – please note the differences in sky colour in each picture. These were all taken within a half hour or so, during which I was bathed in sunlight, whipped by wind and drenched in rain. I’m forced to say it, though please rest assured that I employ an exasperated tone of affection – bloody Melbourne!
Summer In The City – Regina Spektor (I’d forgotten just how good this is!)
The Man Of Metropolis Steals Our Hearts – Sufjan Stevens (no real relevance, but I’ve been listening to it this evening and it’s wonderful)
Hi Agnes, nice post. I love the whole Sydney-Melbourne rivalry thing. Being from Sydney originally, that’s where my loyalties are, but there’s something about Melbourne – the IDEA of Melbourne – that attracts me. All those famous (or should that be infamous?) laneways, the bars, the clubs, the record stores and bookshops. And, of course, the cafes. And the almost overwhelming multiculturalism, which has to be its greatest asset. But to me it’s one dog-ugly city. Maybe the beauty’s in the overall vibe and aesthetic, in comparison to Sydney which looks great on the surface but dig down a bit and it’s all everyman-for-himself craziness. Which is why I like my nice, quiet 350,000-person city with easy access to sleep towns and beautiful landscapes!
Nigel! I was wondering how I was going to say what you just said so well…so now I don’t have to
I love the look of Sydney and lived there for ten years so am very fond of it…but I have to agree, there is a dog eat dog mentality there which is not quite as evident in Melbourne. I feel like Melbourne is a city of artisans and Sydney s a city of merchant bankers. But you can’t go past the Harbour. Port Phillip Bay just doesn’t cut it.
I think maybe I should’ve said ‘best’ or ‘most liveable’ rather than prettiest. I’ve been thinking about it, and I think it’s the vibe of Melbourne that appeals to me and that makes me see it in a more beautiful light perhaps. I guess Sydney is more aesthetically pleasing whereas Melbourne and its laneways, record stores, bookshops and multiculturalism are the essence of its appeal. You both summed it up beautifully, thank you!
Especially enjoyed your line about Melbourne being ‘a city of artisans and Sydney a city of merchant bankers’ Ariza. Perfect!
I think Melbourne needs to be our next long weekend destination.
That Sufjan Stevens track has been on heavy rotation for me as well. Maybe it’s a good summer song?
I think so too. Have you been before? Lots to see and do etc.
I think the Sufjan track is a good summer song, yeah. It’s quite addictive isn’t it?