Sydney’s Cousin Mel

Oh how I loved Sydney. Most people would say ‘Hey what’s so special about it? It’s just another big city with great nightlife.’ To those people I say, ‘You fools. Sydney’s not just another big city. It’s THE nightlife city!’ But it wasn’t just about all the bars and clubs I went to. I saw a performance at the world famous Sydney Opera House which featured hip-hop and acrobatics. It was intense enjoyment provided by the Tom Tom Club (not the group that sang ‘Genius of Love’). After attending a show at the Oxford Art Factory on Oxford Street I met two of the coolest cats (Rob and Will) and through the almighty power of the Internet I know I will always know them. Sydney for me was life affirming. Yes, you can meet cool people. Yes, you can still be surprised and, yes, this trip is a once in a lifetime experience that will show me things I never knew would entice me. Everyday is a new adventure.
And then, I went to Melbourne. The saddest part about being there was that a lot of people were taking advantage of the Christmas season by going on holiday. Many of the restaurants and clubs were closed, not due to reopen until January 7th… Three days after I would be leaving for China. Boo. Another thing that sucked was the fact that I damn near went bankrupt in Sydney. By the time I reached Melbourne I had about enough for water and a pack of noodles each night. Just kidding, but it felt like I had to find a way to make my money stretch. I’m not gonna lie and say that I didn’t enjoy Melbourne. The vibe was a lot more laidback than Sydney. It’s a cool town, dedicated to nights of good times with good friends and good music. If I had known this prior to my ever-ready attitude in Sydney I probably would have stayed in my room a little bit more to save money.
The bars I will remember most are St Jerome’s, the rooftop bar at Cookie and E55, which I found by accident while walking down Elizabeth Street. But I’d have to say that the highlight was New Year’s Day, when all ten of us were reunited for the huge SummaDayze festival. It was HOT, literally and figuratively. Being from the North American East Coast, New Year’s Day mainly means sleeping in after the New Year’s Eve party, in my warm bed. The January temperatures are nowhere near what I would normally experience in Philly, so being outside and having fun was something I pray I’ll get to experience again. And for it to be the first day of a brand new year is only an indication of how much more exciting life will be in 2008 and beyond.