Unfolding Adelaide South Australia

This is not about a short trip, but a quick glance at moving in and living. A new life that I try to unfold for months. It began with harsh cold nights. The time was a thief with failures and success untold. It went by too fast; sometimes, it stopped completely. Time passed by unnoticed until the sun felt like fire.

Adelaide. 

One of the most liveable cities in the world according to the Economist Intelligence Unit. The capital city of South Australia is a few minutes to the beach, malls, and the airport. A perfect place, they say. As a multi-cultural English-speaking country with Google maps-accurate metro and light traffic, no one has an excuse to get lost. It doesn't matter where you come from, what you wear, or how you look. A minor struggle is the different accents of English that one can communicate within a day.

This land down under is quite the opposite of the rest of the world. Summer in Christmas and winter in June. Driving is on the left side of the road. Although the roads are not as busy as New York or Manila, the roundabouts and traffic cameras should warn you about driving safe. The O-Bahn, a dedicated bus rail system, transports commuters from the Northern Suburbs to the city center in minutes.

There is no perfect place, I say. Adelaide can be pretty laid-back as shops close early and close on weekends. It can be too quiet for someone from a big city. 

First Sights to Check Out in Adelaide

For someone who recently moved in, the first places to check out are the ones in the city center. The North Terrace is a stretch of galleries, libraries, and museums. Also along the vicinity are shops of rare books, local and international products.

• Art Gallery of South Australia

My fascination with art galleries started in Washington, DC. Getting inside the Art Gallery of SA felt like home, a comfortable refuge, too, from the winter breeze. It was established in 1881 and now houses thousands of significant Australian visual arts and exhibitions from Europe, Asia, and North America.

• State Library of South Australia

As the official state library of South Aust9ralia, the SLSA houses general reference books, family records, heritage collections, rare books, and children's literature research. Entering the Mortlock Wing feels like opening a treasure box. This reading room, founded in 1884, looks like the Hogwarts library.

 

• South Australia Museum

Another cultural precinct along the North Terrace is the South Australia Museum. It houses millions of collections and specimens that help understand the natural history and cultural heritage of Australia. Among the items are the indigenous culture collections, minerals found in various Australian regions, and fossils.

• Festivals

South Australia is known as the festival state for hosting an incredible range of festivals year-round. It is also one of the reasons why SA is perfect for raising a family, aside from the fact that it has strict legislation for the protection and welfare of children. 

The Royal Adelaide Show in August

The Moon Lantern Festival in October

• Beaches 

This sand-filled soul rejoices for the coastal way of living. Several beach-side suburbs are part of South Australia. The array of shops, cafes, and pubs can draw anyone towards the long, sandy beach of Glenelg. For a mellow, more upscale seaside experience, the Henley beach is the place to be. 

A glimpse, for now, that is. Adelaide is the best place to settle down they say, but is it for me? As free as a bird I am, only time and patience can tell.