Here Comes The Rain Again...

We started today early, dropping our car to its yearly service then took the bus to the city for an adventure...

...in the rain.

It was a wet and freezing morning but we were determined to make this whole day together, fun. We had a full-packed bus (my normal bus route for work in the city from home is always full of well dressed women and men in suits. This time it was a mixture of classes. ) We were greeted by a cacophony of sound as we entered the bus. Laughter, self-talking, and mumbling. I never really notice them in my bus but this time on a different bus I was aware that I am with my husband who takes public transport probably only 3 times in 10 years. I thought I have to be alert for him, kind of like a mum with a child! Ha!



Like my head warm

But he just took his phone and played Sudoku all through the trip.

First stop was to renew both our Driver's License. Mine is not due 'til a few months but when I enquired if I can renew now A very helpful staff said Yep. So woohooo saves us another trip to VicRoads.

Though it was a huge facility and with a lot of people, our visit was quick without any hassle. I did drop my beanie but Rich saw it on the counter, came up to me (while filling up some forms) and asked if I lost my beanie. The look on my face made him ran to the counter and retrieve it. Ha! He knows I love my beanies.

Then we took another bus to the city. Wow it was a long wait even for me who's used to the bus timetables. Twitter told us that there are a few road works and also a few incidents so the traffic was horrendous. It was still raining but we were having a rare week-day together so it was fine. Not really, but it was okay. We'll make it okay. I told myself not to have tanty. To keep myself together. Even when we do not have an umbrella. :-)

The bus was of course a sardine can again. We were lucky to have seats but a few bus stops later it was filling-up to the brim. Never experienced it before, but my Sudoku playing companion was okay. Then we heard someone next to us telling the driver about the suspension and how he was overloading the bus. He reminded me of Sheldon
so when I whispered that name, Rich laughed.

Finally we were in the city. Melburnians call CBD - city. I love it here. It is my favourite place in Australia. We went first to Burke Street to check out our new Shopping Mall The Emporium. It is impressive. I like how they developed that bleak building area that was Myer/David Jones. But some of our fave stores have yet to open.


I am from a country where we take our Malls seriously -
this is quiet impressive!

 Rich then suggested for lunch we head to PappaRich! I love PappaRich! It was a bit of a walk since we were already on the other side but it was so worth it.



Exciting!



I have tried most of the drinks...now, what to choose...



No visit is complete without this deep fried beauty



Hot choco for Rich




Steamed jasmine rice with a medley of sambal prawns,
fried eggplant, fried chicken, cucumber and papadams
 



Steamed mantau and kaya (steamed bun just like siopao and
coconut jam)



Steamed chicken that tastes so good...



This is dry egg noodles drowning in curry sauce

 

We enjoyed our lunch in a warm dry place. Autumn is wonderful when you are warm and dry hahaha! (We are working our way through the menu! Thanks PappaRich!)

After our big lunch we walked it off and went to Uniqlo. It reminds me of Giordano in so many ways. There was a huge crowd but at least there was not a long queue anymore like when they opened up a few days ago.

I like a few things but they can wait. I think I am a little bit disciplined now in my retail shopping. Rich was more interested with the glass elevator in the middle of the shop. He looked at it and I can tell he wants to build a similar one in our post-tatts-win home ☀☺

 

Then we went next door to H & M.

 

This Scandinavian retail clothing company opened their branch in Melbourne a few days ago and up til now - in pouring rain, the queue outside was sooo long!

 

I hate waiting, I hate long queues. I have developed steel strong bladder by not going on long lines. No can do. It irritates me and I rather go home. The one we saw in Vienna a couple of years ago did not have a queue and I did not even bother to go in.

 

So we gave H&M the flick. I am sure I already have all the things they offer there. I saved myself a whole heap of money.

 

But really I wished there was no queue ~!

 

It never fail to amaze me when people spend a long time in queues for things they all like. Or what the ads suggested THEY like.  When Krispy Kreme first opened in Melbourne in 2006, people queued up from 6 in the morning 'til it opened, I don't know - maybe 10 am. Why? I have no idea. When it is Boxing Day, as early as 5 am, shoppers line up outside Myer and David Jones. As a Shopaholic, I still cannot understand this specially since there is online shopping now.

 

Whenever Apple came up with new phones or gadgets, people with working iPhones queue up the Apple Shop even if it snaked around and around the area down the escalator and over the toilets. Last year the loud sound of jubilation whenever someone got in made me smile a little... because really

I do love my iPhone. ☺

 

Anyhow, Rich and I decided to just go where the crowd did not - JB HiFi and an Asian shop for my condiments and drinks.

Yay! I found a familiar looking jar! Although I like my latik fresh, this will do.
 

Just when we decided our City adventure is over - the sun came out and wanted to play. Oh well, four seasons in a day indeed. We took our bus back to where we had our car serviced. It was an uneventful trip with Rich busy again with Sudoku. The man in front of me had a regal British accent. It could have been more impressive if he was not talking to himself.

I like travelling in Public Transport for the reason that I can connect with people, even when I do not communicate with them. It is not for everyone though. I admit there are days when I hate the waiting and get scared over a few things but all in all it is okay. I am helping the environment.

Rich looked up to me and asked: "sorry?" I gave him a quizzical look then he realized he heard the British man talk and not me. I whispered to him - welcome to my world. He smiled and went back to his Sudoku.

When we picked Cruzey up and drove home - I said a quick prayer of thanks. I am grateful that though it was bleak, wet and cold - we had a great time.