Multicultural Melbourne
8 May 2005, 08:59
Lebanese wall
If there is one thing I love about Melbourne it is the mix of cultures in one relatively small city. Did you know Melbourne has the highest Greek population outside of Athens? True story.
Don’t know much about the “ethnic” mix of the south side of the Yarra (apart from the Jewish quarter down Caulfield way) but north of the river there is a diverse mix of Greek, Italian, Eastern-European, Chinese, Vietnamese, Turkish and Lebanese (and many more), all existing in (apparent) harmony.
Miss Croatia Australia
At the local fruit and vege market, you’ll hear a plethora of different spoken languages in a half-hour and that’s no exaggeration.
Chinese shop
I’m currently reading “A Secret Country” by John Pilger which describes the massive roadblocks (culturally and bureaucratically) immigrants had to and still have to face in coming to Australia, and I hope that the “harmony” I see between cultures when I do my Saturday morning shopping is a true reflection because, fuck, it feels nice.
I like living in a place that offers that diversity (ahem, admittedly because I love the different foods – stomach, sit girl!) and oddly, to be surrounded by languages I don’t understand. I know some people hate it, but I’m really drawn to it.
Greek Produce
I went on a photographic hunt yesterday, walking a 2 city block area of the inner north, just to see how many different cultures/languages I could photograph. It made me really look at what was on offer, where before I may have just taken the mix of languages by the side of the road, for granted.
I think I’ll stay, thanks.
Permanent Link | - hey there! I also couldn’t agree with you more! I posted something similar about Melbourne a few weeks ago… AND i am so excited to find a Melbourne blogger :) I read lots of international online journals but I never seem to come across any from home :) Where are you in Melb? I currently live in Brighton (ooh la la).. but with my mum! hmm. I am much to old for it really though (24)! Gotta try and rectify that situation.
I found you through Pinku’s journal…. I love her journal so much, and also I have an obsession with Japan (doesn’t everybody?)... so both of your journals make me very chirpy. :) I just returned from holiday there and any Japan-related excites me these days… xx
— Lucy May 11, 11:42 AM # - Hi all – Lucy & Elkenarra – welcome (and Nicole – hello there – good to see you’re still around
For privacy reasons I’d rather not say exactly where I live, but it’s in the inner northern suburbs. Love Melbourne – love its multiculturalism with all the good and bad bits that go along with it…
— Kinki May 14, 01:30 PM #
