October 31, 2002 (Melbourne)
It takes 8 hours on coach to reach Melbourne from Canberra. I took the overnight coach thinking that since I have no definite accomodations in Melbourne, an overnight bus ride is best; besides, there is bound to be some sort of tourist info center at the bus depot in Melbourne.
We pulled in at 6:15 AM at the bus station and like drowned rats, we all clambered out of the bus. Breakfast…need food…need shower…need sleep. Swinging my backpack on my shoulders and strapping the belt tight, I climbed what seemed to be 100 steps of pure exhaustion to the main level of the bus depot. I think we pulled in at the Spencer Street Station. Perfect. I read there are trams that will take me to city center from there and there is a "Friendly Backpackers" across the station. Worse comes to worse I walk across the street and see if they have a bed for me. But first, get nourishment.
I have never had a tastier bacon, toast and scrambled eggs breakfast than that morning. Pure bliss found in the strip of bacon fat and very strong coffee. Bless the heart of the cheery man serving breakfast at the counter that day. He made sure my water glass never reached half-empty and he served good cheer first then food. Bless him.
After breakfast, I finally got my motor warmed up and started to look for a bed that night. With one hand holding my "Let's Go Australia" book, one ear on the phone and the other hand dialing, I was told that Queensberry YHA had no beds, sorry. Chapman Gardens YHA - sorry mate, all beds taken. Ok, so how about that Friendly Backpackers across the street? Its time to walk. Holy crap! I am not at the Spencer Street Station. Where the hell am I? Shit! Am I even in Melbourne? Did I get off on the wrong city? AH!!!!!!! Calm down…breathe…holy shit!
With what I can only describe as mild panic, I ran up to the breakfast counter, back to the cheery man and asked him where I was. He smiled and gave me another cup of coffee. He said Melbourne. Phew…THANK GOD! But where in Melbourne am I? He said Franklin Street Station. Oh thank you! Where? Hahahahha…he said sit down, calm down, and asked me where I am headed. I said anywhere there is room or bed. He said try the Hotel Bakpak across the street. But if I really want to feel a slice of home, I should try to look for a place in the Fitzroy district. He said Fitzroy is the bohemian district plus it is close to city center. Very much like Haight Ashbury in SF. He suggested a place, "The Nunnery". Yeah. Thanks mate! He is having fun at my expense. But then his face was serious. Oooppppssss…my bad.
I thanked him profusely and headed off to the phone booth once again. My luck has turned, "The Nunnery" has a bed and check in is at 9 AM. Yes, they would hold a bed for me. Take the 96 Brunswick Tram, alight at stop 13. Melbourne Museum will be on your left and the hostel on your right. Catch the tram along Spencer Street. Spencer Street again? Will I ever be rid of this missing Spencer Street curse? No, no worries. I'll find Spencer Street. Thank you! Be there soon (I hope).
As it turned out, there is a Spencer Street but it's at the far side of City Centre. So, in true backpacker form, I hiked down. My pack weighed a ton. Great! And I thought I packed light… what can I get rid of now? Those damn clogs! Get rid of them! Oh hell, find the hostel first then re-think the backpack situation. But my back is hurting! Shut up MG!
I did find the hostel and true to the description in "Lets Go", it is a converted hostel. It used to house the Sisters of Mercy and now it houses backpackers of all ages and races and one Goth. He is a scary looking dude… black mascara, black painted nails, black lisptick, shifty eyes…best to stay away from him. Anyway, I secured a bed for two nights and hopefully I can find accomodations elsewhere. I would stay here until the Goth guy freaks me out or if the numerous crosses and images of Christ scare me to leave, whatever comes first.
I am Mary Grace, staying in a nunnery.