Rainbows and Showgrounds

It never occurred to me, but the conditions for rainbows are rather perfect in Melbourne. The weather is quite variant and quick rain showers are common. All that is needed is a little sunshine in the mix and there you have it, a rainbow! Sure it's a bit more complex than that, but only slightly. Anyhow, you see a fair amount of those multicoloured arches around.

I have a feeling, and a hope, that I'll see many more. Rainbows are the sort of thing that make you stop, make you look, admire and see. They are so bright and beautiful, and sort of hard to miss. It is a good thing the world knows the beauty of rainbows, they are visible, bright, and easy ways to pull us from the busyness of life. Even the most distracted and blind of persons will often pause at the sight of a rainbow.

I visited a place called the Showgrounds the other day. It is normally a racing track and stable, but on this occasion it was a fair. A well known and celebrated one at that. Every year, once a year, they come for a two week stint and nest in the showgrounds. It so happens that it cheekily comes right when school holiday is in session, so they get quite a few attendees. In fact, they have express trains that run to and from the showgrounds so you can get to the fair as fast as possible!

The Melbourne Showgrounds Fair is quite like a rainbow. It is colourful, bright and loud, and distracts you from the busyness of life. The rides are a kids dream, and the candy is ever flowing and overflowing. Walls of stuffed animals practically line the grounds, and there is a different game to match each section. They have goats and various farm animals for petting and feeding. They have crafts, and cakes and soaps to admire and purchase, and of course, food booths every few meters in case you should ever have those tummy rumblings. I did.

The noise is constant, but it is not a grating or annoying noise, or even a loud noise. It is a joyous and carefree noise that makes you smile and let go. It makes you want to play and laugh and be active and participate! If you've lost the kid in you, this is the place to get it back! It's hard not to keep your eyes wide open, to look, to admire and see. It is hard not to enjoy yourself. I most certainly did.

Should you find yourself going to a fair, remember to let go and lose yourself among the multicoloured arches (so long as you don't have little ones to lose). After all, you've made it to the bottom of the rainbow. And maybe, if your aware enough to see it, you'll find the pot of gold.

City on the Bay

If you ever visit Melbourne, I recommend touring the bay. Whether you do it in a day, a week, or a year, there are many sites to see. Great ocean views are typical but never boring, and small quaint towns can be found covering every inch of the bay. There are even hot springs a little further inland, and of course, the never ending amount of wineries always ready to give you a taste, with the required fee of course. It just takes a little adventure, and an easy means of transport.

At the top of the bay (most trams will take you within walking distance) lies St. Kilda Beach and Port Melbourne, the more popular places to visit, being closest to the CBD. If you're looking for some sand in your toes, Port Melbourne has the better offer, but be careful you don't get sun burnt! St. Kilda is unique with its Esplanade Market selling crafts and art abounding, though it is only open once per week. However, there are shops and boutiques galore to make up for rest, try one out!

I am positive I've said this before, but I feel the need to repeat myself. Every place you go in Melbourne, city, suburb, country, bay, you will find an array of unique shops, cafes, and stores to match your tastes. They are without a doubt a staple of Melbourne. And I assure you, the phrase, “Would you like to get a coffee?” will be uttered more times than you can count! Quite often it will be followed by, “I know a place just around the corner!” And usually the best places are indeed, just around the corner. However, they fail to mention that it is also around this bend, through some shady alley, and more often than not, behind a dumpster or trash bin. It adds to their charm, trust me.

I recommend, during your tour of the bay, a stop on the Mornington Peninsula. The town of Mornington is beautiful, elegant, cutesie and a large tourist hub during the summer months, or so I'm told. It has its sights, its ocean views, its seaside pubs and diners and a very Hyde Park feel to its town center. I myself took a four day break on the top of Mt Martha in a beautiful home owned by a lady named Verity, who has now become a new friend. One of many to come. Mt Martha sits about 2 kilometers from the town center in Mornington, and offers a view that the town cannot boast of. Spend some time in the country around Mornington, relax, go for a walk, its hills are worth the climb and its wineries are fabulous !

On the other side of the bay lies a town called Port Arlington. One of the last towns before you hit the great ocean road. It is a nice place to take a breather, relax and get to know a bogan or two! I might also mention it boasts some excellent olive groves. And no tour of the bay would be complete without a stop in Geelong, Victoria's second biggest city on the bay, which sits halfway between Melbourne and Port Arlington. It's a great place to enjoy a walk along the pier, watch the ships come and go, and maybe catch a local game of footy.

You could live a life time in Melbourne and not see the whole of Port Phillip Bay. I myself have been down both sides of the bay and have yet to see even a quarter of the many wonderful things found along its sandy shores and winding roads.

A Trip to the Zoo

Here's a cheeky little poem for all of you.

I hope you like it, I know I do!

"A Trip to the Zoo"

I went to the Zoo today,

As a means of getting away.

There are things you can learn at the zoo,

Things only the animals can teach you.

But you have to listen quite carefully,

Else you'll misconstrue, misinterpret, or miss the message completely!

The Tiger is first, in him is a quite strength,

Listen to him, listen to him at great length.

He'll teach you of charisma, courage, and passion;

And help you through your fears, in a fashion...

The Elephants come next,

Of family and kindness they know best!

They'll help you make new friends,

A smile, a nod, and knowing the how's, where's, and when's!

The Giraffe and Zebra are a pair,

They have some advice to share,

How to give and receive with an always open heart,

If you can master this, you'll never feel apart!

The koala knows about relaxation,

Take a break! Take a nap! What a great medication!

And it doesn't hurt to be cuddly, warm and cute,

You might even get a hug, shoot!

If there's one thing a Kangaroo knows,

It's how to hop hop through life, anything goes.

But remember, when it gets too hot,

pick a shady area to stay a while, 

under a tree is a great spot!

I went to the Zoo today,

as a means of getting away.

Oh! and I learned a thing or two,

The animals have a quite a lot to teach you!

Tell Your Story

Not long ago, I used to dread telling my story, and when forced to, I would tell it halfheartedly or without much spirit. My story always had hope, but that's about all it had going for it. Perhaps it was because I wasn't proud of it, or felt it had no direction.

The three short weeks I've had here, have given me a few revelations with regards to story telling. One such, is that there is nothing more exciting than an unfinished story, an unfinished person. It means there is still room for growth, an infinite amount in fact! Be proud and excited about the fact that you are an unfinished person. Let it comfort you, and let it guide you.

In many ways it is essential I tell my story. It helps others to understand. Not because they may be from a different country, with a different lifestyle (I think you'll find that Australians are very similar to us, with a few odd quirks). It is because knowing someone's story helps you to understand where that person is coming from, and if you're observant enough, where they are headed.

I've found that sharing my story is a powerful way of making connections, forming bonds, and moving forward. With each sharing I have gotten better at telling it, weeding out the bits that clutter, or changing its order, trying for a new angle or perspective. There is no right place to start when telling your story, no beginning place. It is only important that you start someplace. Which place depends on the listener, on the situation, and on you.

Your story is a part of who you are, it is what has led you to this person you are today. It is a powerful thing, knowing your story, and being able to share it. And share it you must, for it is one of the ways we move our story forward. With each telling of it, we shape it, in someway or other. However, there are right ways to share it. Do not force it upon someone, don't get caught up in it, or blame your life on it, but if someone asks, tell it. Invariably, they will know something about your story that you didn't.

I've learned to be sincere in the telling of my story. No longer trying to seek gain through it, or from it. If you choose to manipulate your story, warp it, you will stray further from its purpose. Manipulation may get you what you want, but it will only take you so far. Telling your story is a gift. Having someone who will listen is a gift. It is not something you should seek to profit from, though quite often you will.

The setting for my next chapter.

So when you go to new places, meet new people, and discover new things, tell your story. It will lead you to places you would surely not have gone otherwise. And if you're lucky, you will get to hear a story in return.