Waking up in Melbourne at 10 am to a torrential downpour, my frustration grew as I faced numerous arrangements for my ‘Melbourne Departure Day’ the next day. Despite the urgency to unload my car, I hesitated, navigating the challenges posed by the relentless rain.
Car Wash and Unintended Consequences
I started my day with a leisurely breakfast, savoring each bite. After about 30 minutes, the rain subsided, prompting me to initiate the process of relocating my belongings from the car to the hostel. Over the past two days, I had already transferred some items. Placing the pillows into the box my mother had sent, I hoped it would accommodate everything, but to my dismay, the camping cooking set wouldn’t fit. Despite having used it only once, I was keen on bringing it to my next destination. I stowed the box in my room, along with my day pack.
At approximately noon, I departed the hostel and headed to the self-service car wash on Carlisle Street, conveniently just 50 meters away. The cost was quite reasonable, totaling around 12 dollars. I took the time to clean and soap the car, and I even used a vacuum cleaner. However, it dawned on me later that, unintentionally, I had also ‘cleaned’ my USB stick containing car music and my Dutch SIM card for my phone. A rather incredible facepalm moment awaited me at my next destination.
Returning the Car and Navigational Challenges
Returning to the hostel, I parked along the street. I phoned the Wicked Campers company to inquire about the possibility of returning the car on the same day. The representative assured me it was fine, and I set off. Unfortunately, the navigation system was silent, malfunctioning in the Melbourne area. I relied on the displayed route, constantly checking my phone and street names at each red light – a somewhat irritating process. Despite the inconvenience, I was familiar with Melbourne’s layout and knew the direction I needed to drive. It reminded me of a funny meme about Sydney vs. Melbourne.
After a 40-minute drive, I arrived and engaged in a conversation with the attendant. I informed him that I would be leaving a new cooker and some water in the car for whoever might use it next, and there would be no charge for these items. Handing over the key, I bid farewell to Sasha, the affectionate name I had given the car (a tradition for all the vehicles I take charge of). After a final glance at the car, I left the office.
Train Journey and City Views
I strolled in the direction of the park and reached the train station just 10 minutes later. Unfortunately, it was raining once more, and I couldn’t help but feel frustrated by the weather.
I found myself north of the CBD, tapping my Myki and patiently waiting for the train. It pulled in after 10 minutes, and I took a seat. Attempting to capture some pictures of the city during the ride, they didn’t turn out as expected. Unconcerned about where I needed to disembark, as long as it was in the CBD, I relaxed. After 10 minutes within the CBD, I spotted the Flinders station sign. It was an easy decision – I knew this was my stop. Sometimes things simply fall into place.
Exploring the area near the station, I spotted a pharmacy and decided to purchase some hydrocortisone cream. With the weather shifting, my eczema had worsened in the past few weeks.
I opted for the tram ride back to the hostel, a journey that lasted 30 minutes. My Myki was now depleted and required recharging for future use.
Evening Report Writing and Laundry
Upon returning to the hostel, my initial choice was to take a short rest. After 30 minutes, I headed to Coles to replenish my Coke Zero supply. Walking back to the hostel, I began packing. As the late afternoon approached, I realized I needed to check out the next day. Later in the evening, I would be departing Melbourne on a late flight.
In the evening, I reclined on my bed with my laptop, diligently crafting reports on the experiences of the past days. The task at hand was to write about eight blogs, and it proved to be quite intensive. Although it felt like a burden, I was resolute in catching up, as I aimed to upload them to the website the following day.
I toiled away, immersed in work as time pressed on. At around 2 am, I made the decision to tackle the laundry, aiming to save time for the next day. After loading the laundry into the machine, I returned to my room to continue typing. Approximately 45 minutes later, the laundry cycle completed, and still wide awake, I descended to transfer it to the dryer for an additional 30 minutes. Remarkably, I persisted with my writing. It wasn’t until around 4 am that I finally retired to bed. With the laundry done, the car returned, reports ready for upload, and all my belongings packed, everything was set for my departure without any concerns for the following day.
