Australia: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly (and the Meh?)

[Jerry_Atrick]

Well,, for this first post, it is the good, the bad, and the ugly about Melbourne ad surrounds that I have seen so far.. And the meh? (in other words, makes no real difference). Since 2005, I have been back about 6 times; all mercy dashes or admin (estate). But this is the first time I decided to take some time to reacquaint myself a bit and not just run around like a chicken with my head cut off. 

 

So, I have taken some time out to jot down some notes.. ans keeping it apolitical, here is what I have observed or has stuck out in my mind:

• The Vic Market food hall.. It is so good and should be a national institution. I know the Adelaide Market is excellent, too.. maybe better. But there is something about that building which has changed little since I can remember it; my earliest memory is when I was 5; which is 55 years ago. The selection/variety of produce; the quality, and the prices are not that much more than supermarket from what I could see. 
• Speaking of food - the bad.. It is expensive - more so than in the UK and by a way. 
• Also on food, the supermarket quality - at least where we are and where I have visited has improved markedly. When I first moved to the UK, unbelievably, the UK supermarket food was better than Colesworth... But, the tables have turned again. 
• The consumer chocolate bars - are the ugly. I should get quite trim after moving back as I can't see myself eating many at all. I know when I left Australia and the first visits, they were very similar to the UK, but somewhere along the line, the majors here changed the recipe to US style 0 mire sugars, palm oils I guess and the rest... it tastes like US chocolate now... Which was a real shame as I finally got my hands on a Chokito... which was my childhood favourite. Probably never again.  
• Multiculturalism: For some peoples complaints on here, it doesn't seem to be particularly different to when I left, nor when I was a kid. The nature of the multiculturalism has changed, and I have noticed in Melbourne in particular, there is a proliferation of Asian eateries, but to be honest, while I think it is quite OK, on the scale, it is a bit meh? I know someone will point out that I can go to areas which are quite different..
• It seems in Victoria, wherever they can put a shop, they will. I think it is over-developed commercially, and that it is bland, US style mass shopping architecture. Definitely a bad.
• I think Melbourne has become more Bohemian.. It has a vibe that shouts emerge from the conservative past and embrace different. I really like its vibe.
• Although, with the development of all those high rises around the market area, it did feel a little claustrophobic. Not great.
• The roads, despite some potholes and crumbling are fantastic. Getting around during the day with the traffic levels was a breeze... but
• Having to watch the speedo to ensure I wasn't a few licks over the limit was a pain.. I could easily have done 120kph on the Hume and it would have not been one iota less safe in reality..

 

I am sure there is more of the good bad and ugly, and no doubt as I recall or come across them, I will add the to here.. But it really  has whet the appetite to get moving. 

 

[nomadpete]

Hey, I object.

I don't mind getting critical about USofA or Olde England or other 'shitole' countries.....

But leave our Great Country out of it!

 

(Nev, I'm being sarcastic)

[old man emu]

I feel that Melbourne has a cultural feel about it, as opposed to Sydney's commercialism. One goes to Melbourne for the theatre and music. Sydney does not seem to have that vibe, despite having the architectural beauty of the Opera House. But it's just a building.

 

As for multiculturalism, I think that the meeja consistently misreports on it. I was in a shopping centre in Dubbo yesterday. I saw people from India, Asia, Africa, Indigenous and European all carrying on with their shopping with no sign of conflict. I had the choice for my lunch of several differnt food types of food styles. 

[facthunter]

You have to look for what you want in Melbourne. It won't jump out at you in Lights, in most circumstances but the Variety is there. It's best if someone with similar interests to yours , shows you around and it's ever changing in subtle ways . Also you don't have to be a Millionaire to live there.  Traffic can be a bit harrowing at the Wrong time.  It's growing a bit too fast.  Trams are free in the central part of the City.  I've now been here for 62 years but have seen most parts of this Country and a lot of Europe. I'm not a great lover of crowds and cities but they can offer a lot of facilities and variety nothing else does. .  Nev

[Jerry_Atrick]

This eve, I am off to the city to catch up with a mate.. next report will be on the nightlife (he lives in the city and we are just catching up at his local)