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I moved to Brisbane from Ohio, looking for interesting people and a bit of adventure. Through mutual friends, I was invited to what would be my first social gathering, something called “Pimms in the Park” as was stated on the Facebook invite. I was really looking forward to a nice day in the sun and the August forecast stated the weather would be partly sunny. Not fully converting Celsius to Fahrenheit, I assumed this meant t-shirt and jeans weather.
I travelled on my bike to New Farm Park, a long but beautiful half hour ride through the city. The contrast between the smooth river and sharp modern buildings is divided by the thin bike-path I rode on. Every once in a while, a gust of wind would hit the river, causing tiny droplets of water to splash and hit my ankles, which was truly a joy as the temperature began to rise. The bike path along the river edge is spectacular, one of my first and most special memories of Brisbane.
Image Credit: Mary Kish
At noon the sun was just at its peak, and this was the moment I realised that black pants were a mistake. The glaring sun heated my jeans like a hot plate, and I found myself riding in any scraps of tree shade I could find along the way. It’s funny how you never truly appreciate wind until you’re near the equator. In the States, wind was more of a nuisance, something that ruined my hairstyle and embarrassingly blew up my clothes. In Australia it’s a god send. Every burst of cool wind hit my skin and lifted the heavy hair off my neck. In Australia, I love wind.
I showed up just as the festivities were getting under way. Friends brought blankets and baskets filled with various snack foods. A small plate of cheese and crackers and grapes were sent around as I layed on the corner of a blanket. Australian cheese is delicious, you probably already knew this. Having my first taste of camembert cheese was something to remember; and enjoying these new tastes with new friends felt rather poignant. The host brought out the Pimms and requested I have a taste.
Pimms, unbeknownst to me, is a sweet liquor often used in mixed drinks, mostly with fruit. The liquor was already poured into a container that made it look like a mixed fruit drink, which was incredibly appealing to me at the time. I immediately gulped down the first glass, picking out the lychees and eating them shortly after. It wasn’t until a few glasses later I realized this drink was more than it appeared.
I got up for a walk to hide my accidental intoxication. I went down to the center of the park, an area covered in flower beds ready to bloom in the spring. The park was covered in other outdoor enthusiasts, and I observed a group of young men playing a game I later learned was ‘Touch Footy’. The grass was incredibly soft and lush, I strolled around barefoot admiring the perfect stretch of green just on the outskirts of the city. I lay down for a moment to look at some of the clouds in the sky and before I knew it I had slipped into an afternoon nap.
I was awoken a few moments later by my friends, enjoying the passed out westerner they found in the garden. I recovered shortly after and ran back to the gathering for more cheese and crackers. The rest of the afternoon went by in a flash, and I was still there when most everyone else has decided to head home.
Image Credit: Mary Kish
The remainder of my friends wanted to take the City Cat, a quick trip down the river to get back to home in time for dinner. I put my bike in the back of the Cat and took the front seat to soak in the view. The ride was smoother than I thought it would be, but the wind gave us a few waves that rocked the boat up and down the river. Passing under the bridge, I saw a group of people at the top top looking down at us. I waved childishly at them and to my surprise they all waved back. This group of tiny silhouettes that looked like figurines on a playset all said hello. The boat passed under the bridge and into the city just as the sun was setting. I grabbed a few quick pictures on my camera, but spent most of the time soaking it all in.
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Before I was ready, we had reached our destination and I was back in my apartment. In awe of the beautiful city I was now living in, I had a tremendous memory for the cost of Pimms, cheese and a one way ticket on the City Cat. Since that day I’ve had more time to see more of Brisbane; eat at some wonderful restaurants and catch a movie in Southbank. Nothing really compares to my first experience in the city I now call home.