On the morning of the 27^th, we packed up and met our transfer outside the hotel. There was another couple riding to the airport with us, Nick and Sarah from Minneapolis. After exchanging brief conversation, we discovered (to my absolute delight) that they had bought the same Groupon and would be traveling with us for the rest of the trip! I can’t even describe the relief at having a woman to talk to, since I hadn’t had that luxury since I left Orlando;  flight attendants and hotel staff don’t exactly fill the void. They naturally thought that John and I are a couple, an assumption we are starting to get used to (although it still hasn’t become any less disturbing!).

The flight to Melbourne was uneventful. I filled the 4 hours with writing postcards and watching footy on the miniscule screen in front of me. We landed in Melbourne at about 4:00pm and the second I stepped off the plane, I was freezing! The temperature had changed from low 80’s to high 50’s! The city also experiences strong winds and unpredictable rain, which combined creates a chilly day. The locals often describe Melbourne as having the potential to experience all 4 seasons in one day!

My first judgment of Melbourne is similar to my final opinion of the city: it is a city of art. Full Sail students would be in heaven there. The combination of the stunning architecture (a rather incredible blend of century old buildings and state-of-the-art bridges and skyscrapers), intricate displays of street art, high-end fashion, and the variety of cuisine and music forms a city dedicated to all the young and young at heart who have a passion for art. The attitude of the city as a whole is not as laid back as Cairns, with less backpackers and more local youth. It took me awhile to warm up to Melbourne, regarding both the weather and the city itself.