The Power of Genuine People

I think it's the undeniable giggles where your expressions are suppressed under a puffed breath that expresses optimal laughter, proving to be the epitome of true friendships.

With a good friend of mine (you know who you are), we have had countless conversations regarding the art and importance of finding good friendships and discovering and exploring different connections with different people in your life... It has become seemingly obvious since finishing school, which people add meaning and value to my life. The people who understand you, understand the 'real' you, the you without a facade, without a mask.

I believe that you have several soul mates, they pop into your life for a reason- male and female, different class, different race: soul mates are the people who you instantly understand, who instantly understand you. At age 18 I have found a few soul mates, about 4 to be completely honest. These people I can expose everything to. My vulnerabilities... Everything. I can't be submissive of my other friends, they still mean the absolute world to me, they inspire, encourage and have shaped the person I am today. I have a unique connection with each and everyone of them. 

This blog post has been in my journal for a long time... It's now time to post. Before I was scared of the reaction of other people and what they would think. Especially knowing that old friends and gme public read it (I think). I'll scare some people off, hurt and intrigue some. 

The shy and introvert elena will come out, even if it is online... Not that it counts so much, don't worry I know. 

I'll have an epiphany soon and write another on the same topic....

Elena, x

(Writing this from a cafe in Paris- Saint Germaine- the man beside me is trying to read my journal).

Travel- A Little Trip to Melbourne

Earlier this week I flew to Melbourne, my first time, visiting with 3 lovely people... A spontaneous trip. It was a replacement for what Australia calls 'schoolies' or HSC leavers trip. We didn't quite take on the typical location but instead decided to go our own way and experience a new city, a more relaxed environment, a different culture in comparison to the 'party hard' scene found in surfers paradise. I had no expectations, to be completely honest, I hadn't had the time to think about it until the day before when my plane ticket insinuated a 3.30am wakeup call. But nonetheless, we embarked with the help of my mum who played 'chauffeur'.

No first impressions, a city, looking quite similar to my home in Sydney. Grey buildings, a grey cloud cover .... the first expense, a $60 cab ride. We stayed at Darling Towers Apartments in Collins Street which was incredibly accessible to everything within the Melbourne CBD.

DAY 1-

A walk to Queen Victoria Markets and exploring the city.

DAY 2- 

BRUNSWICK STREET- I loved it here- an assortment of amazing vegan food and sweet little stores.

** The Vegie Bar in Brunswick Street, Fitroy.

I can highly reccommend the Lentil Burger with Sweet Potato Chippies.

It is renowned for vegan and vegetarian options.

DAY 3-

A 6 hour bike ride down the Yarra River with Madi.

On the route was a place called 'Lentil as Anything' which I had heard about on Instagram and the man whom we had hired the bikes from, recommended it. It abides by the 'pay as you please' model and has vegetarian/vegan meal options based on the philosophies of trust, generosity and social inclusion as it intends to make a difference in local communities. It provided us with a great food and a much needed break.

A cheeky little Bardot sample sale was much needed as I spent money that I didn't have....

For dinner, we all headed to Yong Green Food in Fitzroy where we annoyed a vegan dinner as Madi and I struggled to walk around due to persistent sunburn (we only had ourselves to blame).

DAY 4- 

St Kilda Beach and Melbourne's Art Markets

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The art markets were so amazing. I think I was way too caught up in the moment to capture to many pictures. We purchased peanut-butter/nutella crepes and headed to watch a small independent band called Kooyeh. We were onlookers of the abundance of different backpackers, drinking sangria and head-banging in an amazing free-spirited atmosphere. 

DAY 5- 

A 35 degree celsius day. No plans were made. We ended up having the most amazing time in the royal botanical gardens where we had a picnic including an assortment of sushi and coconuts. I read under a tree and enjoyed its shade. 

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Front to back- Bree, Kathy, Me and Madi on the footbridge over the Yarra River.

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I think this is the creme brûlée, coffee flavored ice cream...

The others couldn't quite resist N2 gelato as I enjoyed a vegan brownie from the guilt free store. 

This was our last night. Kathy and I at about 11pm decided to head out on an adventure to find a spontaneous beer and discover Melbourne's night life. We said good night to the others and set out with some expert advice from a friend, to the Chinese Beer Garden, after walking on a roof top bar called Madame Brussels and discovering that one cocktail was a slimey $17. At the beer garden, $2 pink champagne was much more affordable for two travelling students. 

All in all, it was a delightful trip with amazing company. 

Thankyou for reading.

Tata for now,

Elena xx

** Pictures belonging to Bree Sawyer and I do not claim them to be mine.