A friend of mine recently visited San Francisco and found at a friend’s house a self compiled list of the 100 things to do in San Francisco. Knowing that Melbourne is at least 11% better than San Francisco, I’d like to compile a list of 111 things to do in Melbourne. My idea is not only to compile the list, but I’d like to do every single item on that list.
So I reached out to the people who I got to know in Melbourne and asked for their help: What should I include on the list?
Where is the best high tea? Where do you get the best Italian/ Greek/ Asian/ transcendental/ … food? Which cinema has the best seats? Which rooftop bar combines the best cocktails with the best views? Which spa takes best care of its customers? Where do you have the most breath-taking view over the city? Which place has the best coffee? Which market has the loudest sales people? Which café hosts the most colourful people? Which is the best route to jog along? Where can you experience the best sunset? Where the best sunrise? Which is the book shop that give the best advice and has the most interesting selection? Which venue has the most legendary concerts? Which theatre has the most heart warming plays? Which dance floor shows its guests the best time? Where did you have the most fun in Melbourne? …
You get the idea. I was looking for an epic list of amazing Melbournian experiences and the intent is do all of them … in one year. The goal was to compile a list that is personal and not hastily compiled by an editor under a tight deadline. The underlying idea of that list is not about the 111 items or ticking them off one by one. It is about getting out there, experience Melbourne to the fullest and learn in the same amount about Melbourne as I will learn about myself by moving out of my comfort zone – a small step for mankind, a big step for an introvert.
I sent this request out to a couple of people who I knew love Melbourne and are willing to share their enthusiasm with me. I was overwhelmed by feedback I received, but from three people in particular: Olga, Rebecca and Kate (who I have yet to meet). All three showed incredible amount of energy in coming up with ideas, getting the words right and just being the best cheerleaders possible when I started to have doubts about the list being too extensive.
The list will get its final touches done today and be released tonight at our flat warming party. A symbolic act of transitioning from coming to Melbourne to living here. Tomorrow I’ll release the list into the wild. And then we’ll see what happens. Either miserable failure or triumphant success. There won’t be any middle ground. Hopefully, you’ll find every single item on the list being written about on the blog during the course of the next year. Melbourne here I come.
