Melbourne, Day 1: It's Hot

Today temperature in Melbourne reached a ridiculously hot 43c at its peak where we were but word is from Andy that one of his mates was somewhere else in the city were it reached 47c.

Although this is almost incomprehensible heat to imagine unless you actually experience it yourself first hand it didn't seem as hot as I'd or imagined it to be, although at times when reaching a cross road throughout the city it seemed like you were standing in front of a massive hair dryer due to the wind being channelled down the vast straight for the eye can see roads it still wasn't unbearable.

I'd checked out of my other accommodation and successfully checked into Industry hostel and to my surprise got given $21.40 back as apparently they'd over charged me the day before.  From working it out in my head however I don't think they did as now ultimately I've only paid $101.60 for six days, only just under $17 per night and for that price I've got an awesome room too with an On-suite bathroom including (one of the nicest) shower ('s I've ever had) and fan.  Although the fan has to be on rotation to satisfy the other room mates its defiantly better than nothing and I do pity the poor buggers throughout the rest of the hostel who have none at all.

Helena and Kicki decided to go the St Kilda beach for the day were as I stayed in the city and explored and just tried to find my feet.  The general feeling of Melbourne from people back in Sydney is mixed, some say you'll either love Melbourne and hate Sydney and vis-versa, some say you'll love both and some people reckon both are shit but for me, so far, I'm a fan of both.  Sydneysiders did get one thing right about Melbourne being very spread out and open but this is largely due to the tram lines going down the majority of the streets resulting in the roads having to be bigger which probably just gives a general feeling of a more open planned city.

There also does seem to be allot more actual Australians in the city and I've successfully heard my first Aussie say 'no drama' even if it was in a passing telephone conversation.

Helena then came and met me at my hostel to which she was disgusted at just how shite hers was compared to mine thus prompting her and Kicki to hand in a transfer request and have even hinted they will leave All-Nations on a free transfer should they not get there own way.  Tomorrow is D-day and they will find out in the morning whether or not they are allowed to leave amid controversy and un-approval from there fans.  Whatever happens, Christine, a girl Helena worked with at Bar Luca in Sydney will be looking to book into Industry as she flies out here on Saturday and is also going to be watching the tennis.

In the evening we met up with some friends of Kicki's from back home - all 11 of them, who were staying in a shared house in near South Yarra train station - Kicki knew one of the lads through her boyfriend and from there has got to know the rest of them in due course. 

We all went out for a meal and and a drink and then they went back to the house for a bit whilst Andy and I went to see a friend he'd made during his time down the East Coast.  Hello's and Goodbyes were said and bye this time i was absolutely goosed and ready for bed, we headed for the station and let the Swede's know we were there only for them to get lost and try and describe to an increasingly frustrated Andy over the phone where they were and what they could see.  Roughly an hour and a half later they found the station, we headed back, i left them at St Flinders Street station while i headed up to Central Melbourne's stop and by which point i wanted nothing more than to be in bed.  All fun and games.

Today I'm just sitting in the library until the sun doesn't decide to melt me as a I walk, its free 

(but slow) t'internet and I'm taking my time finding out about the football (someone please tell me why we sold Mullins?) and getting syked about a Federer vs (Nadal) final on Sunday!!!