<blockquote rel="wizardofOz">@vhoythoy mas nagustuhan ko ang Australia (naks 😛), pero seriously, it really felt like Second Home... Siguro dahil “Residente” na tayo doon at hindi lang visitor or turista.
Also, nung andun ako, every now and then nakakaramdam ako ng overwhelming sense of gratitude… Grateful na tinanggap ako nitong napakagandang bansang ito.
Nagustuhan ko yung Vibe nya, specifically ng Sydney… Sydney, really was how I have visualized an “Ideal” Australia and Australian Lifestyle is… Cosmopolitan, Harbour city living, Parks and Nature at your doorstep, Laid-back living, Beaches and Surfing!
Pero don’t get me wrong kasi ideal pa naman ang experiences ko sa Sydney dahil namasyal lang ako at that time at hindi pa nakakaranas ng totoong pamumuhay at pagta-trabaho sa doon.
Ang difference lang siguro na masasabi ko ay iba kasi yung Vibe ng Amerika…. Meron kasi syang kasamang “affinity”.
Lumaki kasi tayong mga Pilipino na may kamag-anak or kakilala na nasa Amerika, nagsasalita tayo ng American English and Slangs, updated sa Pop Culture, nanonood ng Disney, nakikita yung Golden Gate Bridge at Statue of Liberty sa movies then thinking what is it like to be there… Kaya yung “affinity” natin sa US, parang nasa dugo na whether we like it or not..
Kaya although hair-line differences lang in most areas, magkaiba ng vibe ang US and OZ para sa akin.
But I choose OZ! 🙂
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I see =). Yes, because US is already part of our culture and most of pinoys have this called american dream, well you can include me on that hahaha. We adopted their gov't system, education system, sports, culture, music, etc.
Ako nman i haven't been to US pa, napuntahan ko plang is Jakarta, KL, Bangkok, Pinas (live most of my life in Malabon/ Laguna) and ofcourse here in SG currently residing for almost 6 years na.
In my 6 days in Melbourne, here's exactly what i felt as a first timer and how i describe the City (Singapore as reference point).
What i am not particularly impressed/ amazed:
Tullamarine Airport, well because Changi Airport sets very high standards
Melbourne CBD Shopping - Singapore has better shopping malls/ shopping experience as a whole
Transport system - Trams/ trains are amazing but i think SG transport system efficiency and convenience is hard to beat
Coles/ Woolworths - Maganda naman and maayos pero i think NTUC/ Giant is better
Food/ Restaurants - Maraming makakainan pero SG have lots of choices and much cheaper
What i like about Melbourne and Australia as whole (arrived in the city during winter):
I like the people better. Masayahin, friendly and chillax. I saw peoples who are dancing and singing while we strolling around the city. Hindi sila nahihiya to show their happiness, cguro dito sa SG tingin na sa mga ganun tao eh weirdo. Some students are sitting/ camping sa tabi2 ng kalsada na parang nagpipicnic lang.
Mas gusto ko ung makukulit na seagulls kesa sa makukulit na ibong itim dito sa Singapore. And attentive din, kasi nasasalo nila ung muffins na binili ko sa 7/11 kapag inihagis.
First time to experience winter in my life, kaya sobrang sarap ng pakiramdam with all the maple leaf around. Parang feeling ko tlaga nasa abroad na ako =). Ilang oras kami naglakad pero hindi pinawisan kahit tirik na araw, sumakit lang ang paa.
Relax vibe. Madaming bench/ chairs aroung CBD. Daming street performers, cafes/ bars plus, kalesa, parks, plus the yarra river. Parang naka design ung place for people to just relax and enjoy life.
City is not so overwhelming, pero di nman parang probinsya talaga. Just right in the middle. Madaling maikot ung CBD plus all the trams, old architectures. Para kang nasa Europe.
The city is vibrant, have souls, and cultures
Most of all, like you, i felt at home. Ang sarap ng pakiramdam habang naglalakad ako sa city with my family thinking na this country accepted us with open arms. This makes the place more beautiful kasi you felt you belong to that place. Hindi lang bilang overseas workers/ tourist.