Snapshot of Melbourne

Yesterday afternoon I was on my back to the NCYC09 office from the Synod office in the CBD of Melbourne. It's just a quick tram ride up Swanston St and yesterday I managed to hop on a tram just before the peak hour crowds appeared.

I was sitting on this tram and lamented my recently departed iPod when I began to pay attention to my fellow travelers.

Sitting diagonally opposite me was a man on his mobile. I think this man was India and the conversation he was having was in what I presume was Hindi. Behind me was an Irish man talking with people he obviously knew but not very well, about his Welsh friends. We also passed Chinatown and were traveling along parallel to the Italian restaurants in Lygon St.

As I was sitting in the middle of all of this, it occurred to that this what a great snapshot of what Melbourne can offer to NCYC's 'Converge' theme.

There are heaps of things to do around Melbourne that demonstrate some of the cultural variety that, living here, I often take for granted. A quick poll around the office and the responses about things that showed an assortment of culture/s in Melbourne included:

• the museum (I've been to an exhibition about Aboriginal history that was fascinating)
• the MCG (AFL being a culture unto itself!)
• walking along Lygon St and checking out all the restaurants offering different cuisine
• the immigration museum
• dinner in Chinatown
• shopping on Chapel street or Bridge Road (may
• and one of my favourites, Brunswick St (especially Trampoline ice-cream!

During NCYC itself, we will be experiencing some of Melbourne during the Submersion day. What you see depends on your submersion but we will also be gathering at a public space around Melbourne for the Public Rally that evening.

There's so much to do and many websites to check out for ideas. If you've got the chance, take some time before or after NCYC to see the sights and experience some of these varied things and get a snapshot of Melbourne's cultures.