Wild Wild West

G’day from Melbourne, Australia.
You know, I've been in western countries occasionally over the past years...almost 9 living in Asia now, but this is the first time that I've come with the view of possibly not returning to what I now refer to as "the real world" and so perhaps not so oddly I was struck by culture shock upon arrival.
Like I said its not like I haven't seen it all before, but this time I had to look at it all through the lens of someone who is looking at staying
- can I belong here?
- can I find a place in this world?
- are there like minds that can be found?
But allllll that I saw were people that walked very fast and were so well dressed they looked like they had got up in the morning with the thought that they might be on television at any point during the day...even the hippies where wearing labels and clothing with holes positioned just so.
Almost three days in, and I'm feeing comfortable enough to sit and coffee in a busy street, which was so much harder than I expected! If this had been any other county, hell maybe simply a country where English wasn't the first language, then it would have take all of 3 minutes to get out there in amongst the madness.... but as it was, I did spend much of yesterday walking around at a pace that was so slow people smiled at me (and possibly wanted whatever I was on) I felt like an alien with 3 heads, or totally naked.

prices are frightening, but that’s not a surprise.
people are so pleasant to each other, very very well mannered, and friendly and well it just blows my mind, I feel like everyone I talk to I will become friends with....ahhhhh but have to remind myself that this is just how people act here and unlike in PP no ones on the search for as many friends as they can collect
I need a 75c beer
I need to text random thoughts to random people I love but often don't know their last name!!
I am gagging for soft taco's from Free Bird
and some love from Fatty Cat,
oh boy, but most of all, I really really miss not having 20 willing and interesting beautiful folk to decide from to have lunch with.
yup, its all an adventure of course, but it would be a shame if I did not feel this way alittle.
To the WEST, and the madness barely hidden...ok ok stylishly hidden ;-)