I am starting to think my impression of Melbourne is too much better than reality.
When I was travelling in Europe, I thought, ‘Eh, I will be able to find these in Melbourne.’ However, the truth is, usually, a big fat NO:
I couldn’t find good jamon Serrano. Good parmigiano-reggiano isn’t as readily available as in Italy. Proscuitto here tastes nothing. Pesto tastes weird. Good cheese is not as easy to come by as Europe. (I give up my search for Västerbottenost.) Bread is weird too… The collection of müsli isn’t as exciting as the one in Sweden. Collection in bottleshop is overwhelmingly Australian (duh. But is it a crime that I miss Systembolaget – not the price tag though). Grillakorv is a total disaster!!! (Okay, I know it is somewhat unfair as I am picking the cream of every country to compare what’s available in Melbourne…)
Aside from food, student accommodation is a nightmare here and a zillion times more expensive than in Lund. There are hardly anyone biking. Travelling by public transport on Sunday is more difficult than I could remember. Plus everything is so far away. And Melburnians are less chill than I could remember and intimidating in some cases (especially on public transport in suburbs!!! I guess that implies something?!)
But… the café latte in Melbourne never fails me. It truly is the best coffee in the world…! (And the ‘line’ in Castro is just how I remember it.) Soy option is always available in café (yay!). Fruits are comparatively affordable here. Beef and lamb are yummy… And availability of gourmet yoghurt continues to grow… (yummm…)
… So does my energy-intake per day…(!) Off to gym now – vi ses!
xoxo
