Dérive

The technique of locomotion without a goal.

This exercise does not strictly fit this definition, as the 'goal', in a sense, was to follow the instructions. But the conceptual goal was to experience something not experienced before by allowing oneself to simply drift through an area. The idea was to make a paper aeroplane, fly it and then follow the directions and see what you find.
This is what I found.

I don't actually know how to make a paper aeroplane (I know, LAME), so this is what I came up with.

I threw it up my lane way towards the main road, and followed it in that direction.

I came to the main road and then walked in a westerly direction along it. There were two men smoking on one of the front verandas of this street and gave me funny looks for taking pictures.

The next direction was to turn at the first corner. The first corner was this intersection. I decided not to turn left because that would lead me next to tram tracks, where I wouldn't not be able to make any further turns. So I continued on ahead and waited for the next left turn.

Which happened to be this lovely corner of Melbourne Uni! I walked along it.

 The next direction was to turn right at the next corner. This was the next corner, which would mean that this ugly laneway would be the end of my journey. So I broke the rules again (what a rebel) and continued ahead.

 Does this count as a corner?! I decided not.

 Ah, finally. Another beautiful corner to right into. Good thing I waited! At this point I was heading straight into the depths of Hogwarts Melbourne Uni's gorgeous Parkville campus. A pleasant drift for me, indeed.

 The second last direction was to continue along past two streets and then turn left. So here is my majestic-looking left turn at the Great Hall.

 ...and to continue along this street for 100 metres. And so I did. Living in such proximity to this campus, I have visited it many times, but today was the first day in a long time with such beautiful weather. It certainly becomes the architecture of the campus.

 Lastly, I had to return my original location (being my home) by an alternate route. So I turned left into this street to leave Melbourne Uni and go home.

My alternate route took me down this final beautiful, tree-lined street to my house.
I thoroughly enjoyed my drift.

What did I learn? Well, not so much learn, but rather reinforced my view that Melbourne Uni is Australia's answer to Oxford. Except England would never have such beautiful weather. I assume. I've never been. But I would love to one day! There was one thing I did learn, actually. My sunglasses tinted everything red/burgundy and I had never noticed before. Every time I see a person with cool red hair that I immediately covet, it is probably just a boring colour that comes to life through my sunglasses. I have literally been viewing my life through rose-coloured glasses. I don't know whether that's super depressing or super awesome. Evidence:

 No Sunglasses.

 Sunglasses.


See! Which is better you ask? Well it depends entirely on the object(s) that is being viewed. The tree is much more beautiful and vibrant without the sunglasses, but then certain dull hair colours and items of clothing become a much more beautiful shade through the sunglasses. Subjective, subjective...

Romany