Hi Melbourne and Melbournians (yes, this is the correct term for you inhabitants of Melbourne, if you lived in some slight delusion and called yourself Melbournite).

I will be using this space to share my experiences and hopefully offer you all the best that Melbourne can offer. For those who just moved to Melbourne – welcome! Don’t stress, all beginnings are exciting and/or hard.

Six years ago I started my affair with Melbourne too. I moved with high hopes, high expectations, one suitcase full of wrong clothes for Melbourne’s unexpected weather and one broken, heavy heart which they nearly charged me for at the airport. It was hard and I never felt so alone. And at times I felt I should have never moved to Melbourne. I knew two people and one is still my rock in hard times.

When I arrived that September six years ago I nearly got disheartened by the strong and cold wind and even stronger rain (no umbrella). I came with the suitcase full of summer clothes thanks to crazy lady at the airport rushing me and making me do irrational – leave other 3 suitcases with my mum. In my emotional state of mind, I picked up a suitcase full of summer dresses and t-shirts and left 3 big suitcases and one sad mother behind.

Since then, I have built an entire army of friends, I have mended my broken heart and filled it with more love, I lived in several different areas of Melbourne (my favourite is a little pocket on the corner of Spring/La Trobe/Victoria right across the Carlton Gardens where I spent 3 beautiful years sharing accommodation with some fabulous people) and I am still learning about Melbourne. Most importantly, I conquered the hard times, I conquered the winters and I fell in love with Melbourne all over again. And I would do it all over again (if required).

Let’s begin this journey and start with my last Thursday night when I ended up at the Bennetts Lane Jazz Club and it is located off Little Lonsdale St, at 25 Bennetts Lane in Melbourne CBD. It is famous for its great choice of local and international musicians and once upon a time, Prince performed at the very same venue. On Thursday night, Joe Chindamo Trio performed some great classics. You can catch him tomorrow night at 8.30pm. Tickets are $15 and for that you will be well entertained. One of the things you will notice about Bennetts Lane is that patrons are not tolerated for being late, keeping their phones on or having a conversation during the performance. I highly suggest you rock up on time, put your phone on silent and sit back and let the music take you on a journey.

If you are a bit peckish and you wish to make a night of it, make an early trip to the ‘Trunk’, 275 Exhibition St, Melbourne. ‘Trunk‘ is a home to a 150 year old heritage listed Coral Tree and wrapped in fairy lights at night, it may also be a reason for a start of many Melbourne romances. The venue was established in 1859 as a Synagogue and a Hebrew school. For more history on the venue click on the name and you will be reading about it in no time. Their extensive list of wines and variety of food will prepare you well for a night of amazing tunes.

I hope you enjoy it. Till next time.

Xoxo