Melbourne Diaries

The impact of the cold in Melbourne caught me off guard. It wasn't just about the fogs, snow, and occasional drizzles of rain, or the hills veiled in clouds. It was about the exhilarating task of gathering wood for a warm fire and sipping on hot tea. However, this cold was distinct; it pierced through my skin, causing my heart to pound. The relentless cold breeze from the Southern Arctic swept over my head, making me wonder if the people here shared the same frigid demeanor. As the flight crew warmly greeted us with a "Welcome to Melbourne," I couldn't shake the feeling of void. Lost in the icy grip of Melbourne, with 248 people on board, I pondered the possibility that the residents might be as chilly as the weather. In June 2017, Kathmandu bid me farewell with warm goodbyes. Laden with heavy bags and an even heavier heart, I made my way to the waiting Malaysian airline that would carry me into the unknown. My mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, much like the monsoon d...