Ode to Melbourne

When I first arrived in Melbourne, after a 6 month absence, I realised how trendy this city is! Most people get dressed with a mission; the girls dress like something straight out of CLEO magazine. I noticed this for the reasons I will mention in the following sentences. Preparing for Peace Corps back in May required getting rid of anything we would not be wearing in El Salvador as volunteers, as well as things we knew we wouldn't want at the end of 2 years. My wardrobe was reduced to something quite basic. Being that we left El Salvador after 2 months and returned to the developing world, my wardrobe was no longer appropriate nor adequate for an office job in a country like America nor for a night out on the town. Bit by bit I've been acquiring things and I found myself dressing up as I would as if I were living in the city. When I put on my normal going out clothes to attend a dinner party in the suburbs I felt a bit overdressed. When I put on my normal going out clothes here I feel under dressed, as if I put in practically zero effort in getting dressed! My going out clothes from America are what I wear to school, so getting dressed to go out here in Melbourne always leaves me wishing I had a bit more money to pick up a few things in the shops.

I feel almost as if I've come here for the first time again. I'm noticing things that I didn't notice when I arrived back in February of last year. There are so many restaurants, so many things to do, so many places to shop and the city is so safe!

Some days I can hardly believe I was ever in El Salvador. I'm still coming to terms with the fact that we're staying here -- for good. (Well as permanently as things can be for a young person...).

I love this city!