We quickly learned the transit system of Melbourne, the
largest network of “trams” (street cars) in the world. There is no rapid transit or subway but the
city is easy to navigate. We walked 15
minutes to the Tram 11 and then road the 10 km into “city centre”.
Much of the area along our route was working
class but gentrification was underway and some very modern homes had been built
or old ones modernized. There had been
a Kodak plant here, and after it was recently razed, new homes were built. We traveled along St George and then
Brunswick, Brunswick Road in the suburb of Fitzroy was very lively with trendy
shops and ethnic eateries of all kinds.
In the city we first went to “under the clocks” at the
Flinders Street Station. Similar to the clock in Grand Central Station in NY,
this is the spot where Melbournians and others have met fro generations.
We took in a couple of museums, rode the city center circle
tram, and took the river cruise. Lunch
was had on the south bank of Melbourne’s Yarra River. The south bank was very industrial for
decades but about 20 years ago the factories were torn down and a mile or more
of offices and eateries were built along this side of the river. On a Friday afternoon at 1 pm, it was a
happening place.
We decided to go back to Brunswick Street for dinner, and a
lady on the train told us to eat at Mario’s, the oldest Italian restaurant in
the area, operating for 28 years. Out waiter who reflected the modern
multi-ethnic Melbourne, had worked there for the last 25. You
will find no better penne putanesca (pancetta and tomatoes) or penne amatriciana (anchovies,
olives and capers) anywhere!
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