SU(SHhhhhhhhhhhhh)I

What's the first thing I'll say when someone asks where I want to go out to dinner?

If you know me at all, then you know how much I love sushi.

These little shotgun dining hallways are scattered

all around the city in nooks and crannies for the bustling masses.

Displayed along the storefront, they're similar to a sushi boat back home.

Maybe not the most creative, but these rolls are ready fast.

A "ready in 15 seconds" California, Spicy Tuna, or Salmon Roll for an afternoon snack?

These"hand rolls" are nothing like the US version, and they are served togo in an open faced bag or a quick eat in at on of the little tables. To actually eat the handroll is rather tricky. You see, it's just like a regular sushi roll, but they don't actually cut it at all.

At my first (and last) attempt at biting off the log-like sushi, only about 1/2 the roll made it in my mouth and the other 1/2 made a somewhat graceful landing in my lap and all over the counter. The next time I was smart enough to request it cut into 4 smaller pieces. I had a great time watching other tourists attempt the "hand roll", but the locals seem to have it down.

The hunger quenching snack in-between meals or not actually hungry enough for a lunch is mere chump change at $2.50 a roll.

Fast, Fresh (enough), and Filling.

MeLbOUrNes MorNinG fiX: THE MESS HALL

Melbourne is in the midst of Cafe-land where coffee lovers crave their fix each and every morning. When asking locals which direction I should point my stomach in, several advised I check out this little "brekkie" hotspot. From my first step into THE MESS HALL I was greeted with a friendly smile and outstanding service.

Situated in the Central Business District, you will always find professionals among others grabbing their 6:30 am coffee on the way into the office, or having an espresso and nibble just about brunch time.

With a single prop airplane as their logo, "mess hall" comes from the aviation term where the men gathered to eat meals together. From the interior design to brown paper menus, The Mess Hall has simplicity written all over it. The concentrated menu allows an easy choice hence more time for enjoyable conversation with your fellow company.

Breakfast, lunch, or just coffee for ONE?? You're in luck. There are 3 front facing "VIP" window stools perfect for people watching on busy Bourke Street.

My pick: The (steaming hot) Scrambled Eggs with smoked Salmon and herbs on Sourdough Toast and add a side of avocado. Warning! Portions are hearty, so prepare to have a small or non-existant lunch. I will certainly be back for more!!

American In Oz(stralia): There's No Place Like Home...

Take-off time again!

Destination: MELBOURNE.

Feeling the toasty weather, I slipped through the glass doors just outside the airport to catch my shuttle in Melbourne. The 17 hour flight I just disembarked from was a little bumpier than I anticipated. At least I was able to sit next to someone in my line of work: Therapist/Bartender: same thing right? With sleep not on my side, I wandered aimlessly up and down the corridors trying to find the little black shuttle with no luck.

A nice aged Aboriginal man directs me in another circle before I see the blatant "SKYBUS" that had been staring me smack in the face the entire time. I lucked out and caught a free shuttle from the airport directly to the steps of "The Mansion": vaulted ceilings that when your on top bunk you feel privileged, not suffocated. Standing up, I couldn't even touch the ceiling. From the golden light fixture that dropped 3 1/2 feet attached to the large white ball of light, to the flat screen TV in the corner, this place was vintage with just a few upgrades. The only downfall was the lack of air-conditioning, which I haven't come close to needing so far. This is where I would be spending the next 6 days sharing a room with 6 strangers; three girls from Holland, two lads from France, and an Australian from Sydney in a pear tree. We quickly became a happy family, rooting eachother on for local jobs to stay for the summer, and swapping travel stories from all over the globe.

Going from the laid back summer life on the Island of Nantucket or Queenstown, New Zealand, to the City life was a bit of a culture shock. When I eventually fell asleep night after night, it wasn't to the peaceful sounds of the birds chirping anymore.

I now had the purring of the by-passing mufflers, the crude caws from the ever overpopulating crows, the loud locust buzzing, and the rain shooting off the spinning tires as the light turned from red to green. I no longer felt the need for an alarm clock. The morning traffic now wakes me up on the 6:30 am commute, or if I'm lucky, maybe a siren quickly buzzing by or two from a late night crime at 5 a.m. after the bars have let out.

From taking the subway and tram, and not worrying about getting parking tickets all day long, to the hustle and bustle of the 9-5 corporates rushing for their morning caffeine fix or afternoon lunch at their favorite local cafe, city life is most definitely different than the simple life I have been living for the past two summers. With an endless amount of exploring to do, I am thrilled to be here.

So enjoy...

just as I am enjoying be an American in Oz.

There's no place like home...

or having too many