The "Notorious" Footscray by eviltooth
So you have heard how dangerous Footscray is and that it is the drug hole of Melbourne where the Vietnamese gangs roam the streets. Truth is, this is also a place where normal people like you and me live. You'll probably have equal chance of getting mug/beaten up/abused/shot to death in the city, and I've been walking with my boyfriend from Western Hospital where he was doing an elective study to the train station at night without any problem for a month. Half an hour is not a short walk. One of the VT'er said that's because I'm Asian, I'm like one of them (thank you :)), that's why I haven't encounter any problem. What about my white Polish boyfriend who had to walk back to the hospital alone after sending me off? I don't understand where that logic came from. Asian, and therefore safer in Footscray, HA. Perhaps I'd pass on my immunity to my boyfriend. Yeah right.
Anyway, if you want to experience Melbourne's multiculturalism, go to Footscray in the day. Everything except a couple of restaurants are close at night, so no point. It's a different experience, but I won't eat in the restaurants. There was a food poisoning case resulting in death of a few people and dozens in hospital, awful. Don't remember the name of the restaurant though, doesn't matter, just don't eat in any restaurant (even though we did and came out alive, but then again someone might say that's because I'm Asian ;)). The bakery near the train station is safe, however. Love the custard bun.