Hi, I'm David and this is my premier entry to my premier blog. I'm creating this blog to document my travels which began saturday dec.12th with a flight from Los Angeles, CA to Melbourne, Australia. The flight was originally planned for sunday dec.4th then thursday dec.8th. Something always kept coming up to delay departure.
I'm here in Melbourne and it's a beautiful day. Katherine first introduced me to her hometown four years ago and I've loved it ever since. There's so many things that I appreciate about this place. No matter where we happen to drive there's always parking and it's free. We went shopping this morning and I parked on the main road in a 1 hour zone. Then we walked to the library around the corner. I waited until the hour had passed and moved the car into the 2 hour library parking lot, there were plenty of spaces available. After the library we walked across the street to the supermarket. I didn't have to worry about getting my car towed because I was parked in the library parking lot and yet I was actually in the supermarket. That's how it is here, "No Worries". Everyone says "No worries", including me. Just imagine being in a place where the common response to any request is "No worries". "No worries" is not just a phrase, it's a state of mind, a lovely state of mind to be in, especially coming from Los Angeles. Los Angeles has worries, especially regarding your vehicles when parked. I'll never forget parking at the Ralphs at 6th and Vermont and getting my car towed while grocery shopping, or getting my truck stolen last week, but those incidents aren't what I want this blog to be about.
I like to walk along the streets in Melbourne and occasionally say to strangers "air gun?". They smile and reply "not bad, you?" or "bearin' up" which are two of many responses one might give to the open ended question. To speak proper Australian your lips should be slightly parted, just enough to be heard. No movement of the mouth is needed when speaking. It always amazes me when I get a friendly response to this barely enunciated greeting which translated to english means "how's it goin?" or "how are you doing?"
I went with Nigel and Edward to the local indoor racquet club to play squash yesterday. When we arrived there were a couple guys waiting on the stairway as the owner had stepped out for a bit (or more likely a stubbie. aka: a beer) As we waited on the stairs Nigel mentioned that I was a racquetball player visiting from the states. The young man next to me glanced at me and spoke (without lip movement of course) "aw lng y'ere for?" "A few weeks" I replied. He then spoke quite a few words to me of which I could not decipher into english. Even though I didn't understand his words I knew that he was inviting me to play some racquetball with him during my stay in Melbourne. I just nodded at him and said "no worries". He was a true aussie speaking mate and it's his style I try to emulate. It's like learning a new language but less stress because it's the English language. It's a perfect "no worries" endeavor.
That's all for now. Check back later for more and I'll try and include some photos next time. Love to all and "no worries". David
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