Words by Sonya Sandrasenga
first impressions of radelaide 56
Firstly, it was the trees. Then it was the 110km highway limit. The blue sky came after that. Where did the clouds go? But then the tiny parking lanes. Just, why? The great terrain is a tinged valley & a land so flat I can see all of you, in your colossally huge, massive, big city. Why, I can even see a person swimming in the ocean over at Glenelg beach from right here. My first impression of the great and fantastically best kept secret city of Adelaide was…. Mediocre... Anti-climactic… Solemn… But hey, I’m just a Melbournian, right? What do I know about a peaceful stroll without a magpie attacking me? I’ve never even sat on a bus without thinking “how lovely and quaint be this bus ride”. You think YOUR eshays are bad? Come to Melbourne, you’ll soon be sharing a Maccas chip with Josh and his pet pidgin. Then you’ll be singin’ in the rain. I’m a Melbournian. In case you didn’t know yet. So, naturally, I think the sun shines out of my ass. Even during Covid, it was all about us. Lockdown this, Dan Andrews that, Brunswick Street this, Oat Latte that. We are the Love Island of Australia, namely the source of trash, class & impending alcoholism. So now you’re probably thinking…. alright, but what about Adelaide? A question I’m sure you areall too familiar with. Yes, this city, no- hang on- this massive suburb – is the reserved student sitting at the back of the classroom. But this kid’s got a lot of things to say. They have some tricks up their sleeves. One of them being, the great Fringe Festival (and equivalents). This magical merry-go-round carnival is a gemstone of bursting talent and never-ending mini bars that, mind you, look so cute sitting in the botanic gardens. Sorry, I’m aware you feel patronised, but fear not, I come from a pothole of bleak and large skyscrapers. So yes, this is all very cute to me. And you, Adelaideans, keep pulling a bunny out from your hat. Rundle St. Central Market. Glenelg Beach – actually, correction – Henley Beach. Hahndorf. Barossa Valley. Great Ocean Road. Oh oops, wrong state. Okay. Sorry. My point is, that I have only been here for 2 weeks, and you have left me satisfied and thirsty for more. I can even forgive the slight British twang you’ve got going on here. Dah-nce? Plah-nt? Really? Melbourne and Adelaide. Chalk and cheese. Tom and Jerry. They say you are Melbourne 20 years ago. But the truth is, you are your own paradise. Like European-style houses. Large, white-sanded beaches without cans and cigarette bums. Affordable housing. No tollways. An abundance of multicultural food. Forgiving traffic. A community oblivious to its unity. What I’m trying to say, really, is that the kid at the back of the class won’t burn out as quickly as the clowning, rousing kid at the front. I see you. I hope you see me too.
