Oxfam fundraising walk
I was anxious going into this walk since I’d not completed the 33km in any training walk. I don’t understand why I’m in such bad shape that I did not have a good time while walking through the beautiful Dandenong ranges. I bailed at the turn-around mark, jumping on a 2-hour train ride back to Melbourne (one bus replacement) with another woman who had a hip shouting at her.
The next day we were so sore that we went to 2 (two!!) movies: Dune and Poor Things just so we could be immobile for several hours.
Fashion Week
Fashion Week in Paris or New York seem inaccessible to me but I’ve learned that most things in Melbourne are accessible even to a Yank like me. I can walk to everything, afford everything, and even welcomed to everything. The city is my oyster. I’d seen social media posts in previous years featuring Fashion Week activities and I think I missed the event by a week last year so I found the schedule early and was overwhelmed by how many activities there were: premium runway shows, alternative runway shows, workshops, lectures, and shopping opportunities.
I landed on going to the first night of the premium runway show only a few hours before it began. I didn’t know what to expect and was a tiny anxious about fitting in but I figured if I dressed in black, I would totally blend into the crowd. I was delighted by the sights and sounds outside of the Royal Exhibition Hall that included elaborate tents and kiosks for vendors and sponsors who provided freebees for attendees. I’m glad I toured the Exhibition Hall last year so I could appreciate the window dressing that the show provided on top of the architectural grandeur of the venue. Elle Macpherson of Sports Illustrated model fame walked the runway and each time she arrived, the crowd went feral.
The same GF who rode the train home with me from the Oxfam walk said she’d go to a show with me so I geared up for the last runway show of the week. I wanted to wear heels but didn’t want to walk to the show in them so I became one step closer to being a real Melbournian by buying a clutch and a pair of flip-flops (they’re called thongs in AU) so I could walk to the event in the flip-flops and change into the heels as I entered the venue. Because I knew what to expect, we arrived two hours early to fully appreciate all of the vendor offerings. I got a manicure by Chemist Wearhouse, sipped champagne, ate chips, did a glambot video, and leaned in hard on the people watching. The outfits were inspired. I spied TikTok creators Carmen and Ginger so I said hello and asked for a photo.
Wicked
The Regency Theater was a great spot to see this classic theater performance. I’d only read the book so I was happy to see the show.
The city
- I re-visited my favorite spots and caught a sunrise over the Yarra.
- Took a train to the City of Dandenong for the market and had amazing gluten free food
- We went to the Birdman competition for Moomba
- Buxton Museum never disappoints
- New library by the Queen Vic market
- Went to a TS party
As I ate my last chicken katsu salad at Sakura Cafe, I said au revoir to the owner who always remembers me and is so kind. Two months went fast because I crammed in so many activities and had a very good time but I was ready to come home.
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