Houston Ballet Down Under #2: We Made It to Melbourne!
From June 24–July 10, Houston Ballet is embarking on its biggest tour yet to Melbourne, Australia, hometown of artistic director Stanton Welch. Pointe asked demi-soloist Jacquelyn Long to keep a diary of her experiences.
June 26, 2016
We made it! Dylan Lackey, Emily Seymour and Jenna Gooden.
We are in Melbourne! I think everyone was happy to be done with the long flight. We arrived at 7:30am and had the whole day to explore. They say the best way to learn a city is by walking it, and that is what many of the dancers did today.
I started my day with coffee, the usual, but I must say the coffee here tastes stronger than in America. A few of us explored the South Melbourne Market, which has a bunch of local shops. I was taken aback by some of the sizes of the local foods—after all, I thought everything was bigger in Texas! Apparently not (see my pictures below).
Everything is bigger in Melbourne!
After we checked in to the Short Stay Apartments, a few of us checked out the pool and the gym to try moving a little bit after the flight. I lasted about 7 minutes in the pool. It was too cold, even though it was heated and indoor.
Michael Ryan and Mallory Mehaffey
In the evening, we walked aimlessly, trying to fight the jet lag. We strolled around an area called Southbank and saw some street dancers performing. Since Australia’s summer feels like our winter, it was freezing outside and the walk back to the hotel once the sun went down was brutal! It’s crazy how it can be so hot at home and so cold here. Thankfully the temperature during the day hasn’t gotten too bad, yet.
Well, our first day of tour is down—15 more to go! Tomorrow we have just a ballet class scheduled, and I am hoping my body isn’t too tight from the long travel. Now I’m off to sew some pointe shoes!
XO,
Jacquelyn
Meeting up with our Aussie friend! Myself, Gabby Johnson, Will Newton, Madeline Skelly, Queensland Ballet dancer Joel Woellner, Aaron Robison, Derek Dunn and Natalie Varnum. (All photos courtesy Long)
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