Roger Ebert thinks you should visit another country. I couldn’t agree more. Coincidentally, there’s currently a price war going on between Qantas, Delta, and Virgin over the LA-Sydney route, with flights as low as $598 return. THAT’S NUTS.
Category: Travel
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Melbourne Wrap-up
Of course, the half-marathon wasn’t the only thing I did in Melbourne. We arrived on Friday morning and, as it was too early to check-in at the hotel, we dropped our bags and headed out into the city. I was on the hunt for a specific element of my Halloween costume, so we walked to the Queen Victoria Markets to do some shopping. I didn’t find what I was looking for, but a stall holder gave me some good leads on other places to check. We had lunch at the Markets and then headed back to the hotel for a rest. In the afternoon, we caught a tram to the MCG for the Race Expo so I could pick up my free swag. I also bought a pair of Skins shorts to wear in the race (on the recommendation of Emily and Clare). Then we headed out to Richmond to meet up with some Ravelers at a wine bar. There we hung out with Sonia, binkaboo, foreverknit, madaco, and of course, Damo. Afterwards we had a burger in Richmond and then headed back to the hotel to sleep.On Saturday morning we caught a tram to Federation Square and mooched around the book sale. Then we caught a fascinating tour at the NGV Australia. (I honestly wasn’t very interested in Aboriginal art before, but our guide did a great job of explaining the history and symbolism.) I also got to see Shearing the Rams and The Pioneer in all their glory. We had lunch afterwards at Southbank and then went back to the CBD to resume my search. After three or four more shops, I finally hit gold. (It’s gonna be awesome.) Crumpet (aka Leonie) rang while I was making my purchase and we met up with her for a beer. That night the Snook and I headed to Lygon Street for some Italian carb-loading. We ended up at Enoteca Oggi (by virtue of the fact that they didn’t have an annoying spruiker) and it was a great meal. Then it was home to (try to) sleep before the race.After the race on Sunday (see previous post for details), we went back to the hotel to shower and change clothes. Then we went back to the CBD to say goodbye to Crumpet. (She gave me a piece of art!) We then met up with Gusseting (aka Kylie) and she took us to Jungle Juice for lunch. That was my first experience in a trendy Melbourne laneway cafe! The atmosphere was cramped but funky, and the bagels were great. I’d intended to go out to another Stitch and Bitch with Gusseting, but my body just refused. Instead I went back to the hotel for a much needed nap before flying back home to Sydney…
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Packing
We’re packing for the trip to Melbourne. We fly out in nine hours. Eep!
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Swiss Army Knife
Oh, sweet! I got a special birthday present in the mail tonight from Ma and Pa Snook: an awesome PINK Swiss Army Knife! I love it love it love it. (The Snook has had a blue one for ever, and I’ve always been jealous.) While I was exclaiming over how cool it was, I turned the packet over in my hand.
Me: “Your Mum wrote something on the back… ‘Will be confiscated at airport by–‘ I can’t read the last bit…”
Snook: (has a quick look) “Bastards.”
Me: “HA!”So thank you, thank you Bev and Pup!
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Catching a train…
Just waiting for the 2:05 back to Sydney. Geez, it’s hot. It was a great weekend but I think I’m all knitted out.
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Me and Emma and her postcards
So do you guys remember Emma? She’s the little girl who lives near my Dad who broke her leg two years ago. To help her pass the summer, her parents came up with the idea of collecting postcards. My Dad passed the request on to me, and you guys came through in spades. Well, on Easter I finally got to meet her! She’s obviously all healed now, and her Dad lugged over her scrapbooks so I could see her collection. Folks, she received over 650 postcards from all around the world! I saw mine, Stefanie’s, Max’s, Bridget’s, and many more. It was amazing. I also got a picture with her!
Emma’s the small one, obviously. (Her sister’s name was Hope, if I recall correctly.) Thank you again to everybody who participated! You turned what could’ve been an awful summer into something this little girl will never forget.
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Moonshadows
I can’t believe I forgot to mention this! So on my last day in LA, my sister and her friends took me out to lunch at… Moonshadows in Malibu. Which means nothing to you until I tell you that it was where Mel Gibson got infamously tanked on the night of his arrest. HOW COOL IS THAT? Nobody could tell me what Mel was drinking, so I had to settle with a mimosa.
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Trip Photos
Even though I’m still suffering from cripping jet lag, I managed to prop my eyes open long enough today to post the pictures and commentary from our trip. I made a special point of linking to the hotels and restaurants we liked, so if you’re heading to Orlando anytime soon, you might be interested. And at long last, you’ll get to hear the story of our adventure at Space Camp! -
California
I’ve been in LA for just over 24 hours, and I’ve already fed the baby (twice), given him a bath, and assisted with a hellacious poopy diaper (which was orange because of the pumpkin I fed him). Don’t worry; we took photos so you’ll see the hilarity. My sister also took me to Wildfiber, where I finally got my hands on some Koigu. I’ve been on a bit of a sock knitting kick on this trip. Anyway, only two more days til I go home!
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Back home again in Indiana…
Well, I’m back at Mom’s but my heart is winging its way to Sydney with the Snook. This is the first time we’ve been apart in over six years. It’s weird. I’m having a good time with my family though, and I’m looking forward to a few uninterrupted days with my new nephew. I got him an awesome T-shirt at NASA and an Ugly Doll in Chicago. I’m planning to spoil the little bugger rotten.
Anyway, last week Mom dragged us all to the JC Penney Portrait Studio, and it was just as hellish as you might imagine. We did get a good photo of me and Rodd out of it though…
Have a good flight, Snookums. I miss you already.