I walked out of the Melbourne airport with a big stupid smile on my face. It felt surreal being back in that city again, breathing in fresh, clean air instead of having smog fill up my lungs. I was extremely excited to see friends, to drink good coffee, to sit in quaint little cafes, to get lost in hidden laneways. I really really missed Melbourne.
However, as the airport coach reached the city, I felt a slight uneasiness. The city was exactly the same as it was before I left - organised, peaceful, clean. A bit too clean to the point of it feeling sterile. And hold on - where were all the people? The city felt deserted on a Saturday afternoon. And oh my - why are the cars obeying traffic rules?! Why isn't anyone arguing on the streets?! Is this what Shanghai does to you after 5 months of living there? I then realised that I had gotten used to the craziness and messiness of Shanghai!
I spent one week in Melbourne and almost everyday, I cycled to little cafes for breakfast and coffee. My latest favourite place is this cafe is Fitzroy called Proud Mary, where I had pork neck stew and poached eggs that was SO good I think I almost cried rainbow-coloured tears there and then.
Another thing I love about Melbourne is how cycle-friendly this city is! I'm so glad Melbourne has now implemented a city-wide bike hire scheme, encouraging Melburnians to cycle as a convenient and sustainable form of transport.
I came up with another streetart project - I hung little tags onto bikes to show how glad I am that people are choosing to cycle. All hand-written make it all feel a little more personal!
...maybe I should do the same in Shanghai, too? :)
However, as the airport coach reached the city, I felt a slight uneasiness. The city was exactly the same as it was before I left - organised, peaceful, clean. A bit too clean to the point of it feeling sterile. And hold on - where were all the people? The city felt deserted on a Saturday afternoon. And oh my - why are the cars obeying traffic rules?! Why isn't anyone arguing on the streets?! Is this what Shanghai does to you after 5 months of living there? I then realised that I had gotten used to the craziness and messiness of Shanghai!
...maybe I should do the same in Shanghai, too? :)
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You should come top Europe and do that too! (I have 4 bikes and soon to have a generator bike in my apartment for recharching my cellhone ;))
ReplyDeleteI love biking/walking cities! Glad you enjoyed your time in Melbourne :) Hopefully you won't get so used to the peace & quiet that you come to expect it upon your return to Shanghai!
ReplyDeleteyou look gorgeous with the bike!
ReplyDeleteBEST idea, you always have such amazing street art ideas.
ReplyDeleteMelbourne is waking up!!! We're coming into warmer days - getting a new lease on life!
xox
You are awesome. Tag my bike if you see it! ;)
ReplyDeleteMelbourne is still the very best! Great photos of the bikes as street art. You look great too. Shanghai must have been good to you.
ReplyDeletewhat an awesome idea! do this in sydney please?!
ReplyDeletedid u by any chance try the lemon espresso @ proud mary?
ReplyDeleteBrisbane also implemented this Bike hire scheme with sponsorship of Lipton but it did not go that well and has failed to pick-up much momentum
ReplyDelete#1 - You look super chic in your outfit for cycling..
ReplyDelete#2 - I love your street art projects.. creative and original!
wow. i love your photos. how come they are so sharp n clear? i live the ones of the bikes the most, esp those showing the tags. like photos in a mag:D come back n teach me how to take these photos!
ReplyDeletemiss you 'TOO MUCH'
Love this one. You will feel appreciated when riding one of those with a tag.
ReplyDeleteNot only you are so sweet , so arty, so beautiful, you have a Big Heart!,,,,
ReplyDeleteHope you find your Real Good Man soon if not in Shanghai, try KL
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smug_Alert!
ReplyDeleteWe really like your idea!
ReplyDeleteThe FUGA creative crew
Oh i missed Melbourne too! Will be visiting this beautiful city again during Easter. Wonder if i can collaborate this project with you & spread those tags in my country?
ReplyDeleteThis is an absolutely wonderful idea! Thanks for sharing and please continue :)
ReplyDeleteCeasing to eat dead animals (i.e, the "pork neck stew" & egg you mentioned) means an even bigger impact on helping to "save the world." Just another BIG reason to go veggie! :) Have a great day!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.fao.org/ag/magazine/0612sp1.htm
http://www.veganoutreach.org/whyvegan/environment.html
http://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=meat+production+environmental+impact&hl=en&as_sdt=0&as_vis=1&oi=scholart&sa=X&ei=KaZOT_7SNaniiAKz6635Cg&ved=0CB0QgQMwAA
Plants are also the ultimate bicycle biofuel. They have electrolytes, energy and water all in one nice package. I bicycled 2500 miles through Europe this summer on fruits bought on the side of the road, picked by local inhabitants.
ReplyDeleteThe simplest and most effective way to reduce your environmental impact is to switch to eating plants in all their glorious, wonderful, delicious diversity.
It's amazing what you do. The art is born of thee in all its forms. Thanks for sharing with us.
ReplyDeleteIt's only when you decide to put your thoughts into action, that would create impact to others.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you're one of the few that has done that!
Just like what you did to the bikers,
I'm giving you a note to appreciate your act!
good job girl!
Your idea is really amazing !! We want to do the same thing in Paris with few girls. Do you agree ? :-)
ReplyDeleteThis is an amazing idea! Maybe I am going to do that to!
ReplyDeleteThis is really amazing and nice photos.thanx to you for share with us on Melbourne By Bike
ReplyDelete