Introduction
I arrived in Melbourne on December 18th after a short layover in Sydney. The layover itself was… interesting, to say the least. I had been trying to rest in a park near the train station with my eye mask on, when a few people came up to me asking if I had somewhere to sleep. Turned out they were from a homeless shelter! I guess I looked that out of it 😅.
I had to trust random strangers a lot in Australia. For example, once I asked a random girl to watch my backpack because I had to pee so badly and didn’t have the strength to carry it all the way to the bathroom again. And she did. Just pure trust.
The train ride to Melbourne was ten hours long, sitting next to a woman who absolutely would not stop talking — for the entire ride. By the time I arrived, my phone was dead, and I didn’t have a power bank, so I had to ask everyone around me for directions to Flinders Hostel. Eventually, I found it.
Flinders turned out to be a great hostel. Big, spacious, clean, with top-notch bathrooms. We were in the largest room for twelve people, but it felt nothing like crowded or gross. It was super social, with lots of activities — exactly what a hostel should be.
Soon after I arrived, Mara came too — we were reunited after some time apart. I had met her through our organisation in Sydney. Immediately, we went to check out some street art, and the instant connection with Melbourne’s chaotic, creative energy made everything feel right.
We went to sleep that night exhausted but excited.
Main Story / Adventures
The next day, we wandered the city, explored street art, and soaked in Melbourne’s summer vibe. That evening, we bought some wine and went to Flinders’ common area to drink. There, we randomly started playing pool with two French guys and a German guy. This became a nightly ritual — chaotic, competitive, and fun.
My roommate Lenny was… unusual. He constantly joined our conversations and stared at us, which was a bit creepy but part of hostel life, I guess.
Richmond & Dogsitting
The day after, we went to Richmond to see our dogsit house. Through TrustedHousesitters, we had a free apartment for three weeks. The house and area were gorgeous, and the woman who handed over the keys was super kind. We got a small tour and were already excited to move in.
That evening, back at Flinders, Levi joined us — a Dutch guy — along with his friend Sybe. We played pool together. Levi tried to flirt with me, but it was awkward and I wasn’t interested. Sybe was hilarious, and Mara seemed to like him immediately. Later, Floris joined too, and I found him cute.
Roller Skating & Hostel Christmas
The next day, we went roller skating, which was fun, then headed to Royal Gardens. That evening, the hostel hosted a free Christmas dinner. The food was great, the quiz a bit boring, but it was fun social chaos.
Back at the hostel that evening, Levi, Sybe, and Floris joined us in the common area. Drinks flowed, pool games continued, and laughter filled the room.
Christmas Eve & Night
On Christmas Eve, Mara and I went to the beach with a bottle of wine hidden in a drink container.
We got tipsy from the wine, went back to the hostel without eating, and continued drinking. The hostel even gave us three free shots.
That night was wild. Everyone was talking, laughing, and flirting. Josh had his eye on Mara, so we all ended up heading to Billboard Club with him and a few others. Mara danced a lot with Josh but still refused to kiss him. Later, Sybe and Floris joined us, and the night escalated — I kissed a girl I met at the club, Floris, and a few others. I actually found Floris really cute, and we had some fun flirty moments together.
After the club, Floris and Sybe walked us back to the hostel. It was one of those chaotic, tipsy walks full of laughter. At one point, Floris even carried me on his back — and I kept speaking to him in English, even though he kept reminding me we could just speak Dutch. My drunk self kept forgetting. He even asked me to stay with him, but I decided not to, letting the night’s chaos and fun play out without complicating things further.
Meanwhile, Mara ended up kissing Sybe right in front of Josh, adding even more chaotic energy to the night. It was messy, tipsy, and pure summer fun — everything a Christmas Eve in Melbourne should be.
Hanxiety Aftermath
The next day, Mara experienced serious Hanxiety. Josh was upset about her kissing Sybe the night before, sending messages that stressed her out. It was a mix of social anxiety, drama, and exhaustion, but we managed it together. I supported her while we processed the previous night’s chaos, laughing at some parts and groaning at others. What a special Christmas Day — a day I know I’ll never experience the same way again.
Dogsit House
On December 26th, we finally moved into the dogsit house in Richmond. The place was beautiful, Mara and I were excited to settle in, and it was such a calm contrast to the chaos of Flinders. The area was quiet, safe, and perfect to recharge after the whirlwind of the past week.
Romance / Fun Encounters
Romance during this week was wild, chaotic, and unforgettable. There was something about the week that felt completely yolo — doing random, chaotic things, following the energy of the moment. But amid the chaos, there were also deeper connections, like the one I felt with Floris. Moments that felt intense and real, even knowing that they were temporary. You have to let them go and just enjoy them while they last.
Every kiss, flirt, and fleeting connection became part of our unforgettable Melbourne summer story.
Tips & Tricks
- Hostel life: Flinders is big, clean, and social. The common area is perfect for pool games, drinks, and meeting new people.
- Explore Melbourne’s street art: Wander through famous laneways like Hosier Lane — a vibrant outdoor gallery full of ever‑changing graffiti and murals — and nearby laneways in the CBD to see the city’s creative street culture.
- Royal Botanic Gardens: These sprawling gardens in the heart of the city are perfect for a relaxed walk, a picnic by the lake, or just enjoying a quiet green space.
- Pop‑up Roller Skating: During the Christmas period Melbourne often hosts a festive pop‑up roller skating rink in Argyle Square, Carlton, with cheap skate hire available — a fun way to spend a summer afternoon or evening.
- Transport: Public transport or walking works well. Melbourne is very walkable.
- Dogsitting: TrustedHousesitters is a great way to get free, safe, and beautiful accommodation.
- Safety & trust: People in Australia are incredibly trustworthy — I left my backpack with a stranger without hesitation.
- Money: Grocery runs + hostel kitchen cooking saved a lot of money. Free hostel dinners are a bonus.
Reflection / Closing
My first week in Melbourne was wild, chaotic, romantic, and tipsy. From layovers and trusting strangers, to Flinders’ pool games, wine, club chaos, kisses, and Mara’s Hanxiety — it was exhausting but unforgettable.
Even messy, chaotic, slightly stressful days can create the best memories. The lesson? Embrace the chaos, trust the city, and enjoy every ridiculous, magical moment.
Wherever I am next, I’m learning that even chaos can feel like a beginning.
