October 29, 2002 (Australia Museum)

Australia has a new museum displaying the indegenious, the first and the new people of the continent. Brand spanking new, the space is gorgoeus and well planned. Art installations are delightful and worth a second look. I am particularly intrigued by the Circular Theatre. It's a ride and a high tech diorama all in one. Really neat. You sit in a semi circle theatre and the entire floor moves, takes you from one high tech display to another. First room we were taken had four flat panel monitors that moved up and down to the beat of earth tunes. First display was of Australia, the land. Great color, sharp images of great flat desserts, the mountains, the vegetation and the infrustructure in Australia's premiere cities.

The second display was of Australia, the elements. Air, fire, wind and water… in four projectors of varrying sizes they showed the lightning storms across Western Australia, the fires of Northern Territory, the ocean water particularly around Cairns, and Melbourne, seems this city is windy, might even rival Chicago.

The last display was of Australia, the people. All manner of faces, all manner of races, now are welcomed to Australia. The whole show was potent I was touched by the display of respectful humanity…ahhh, the power of images.

October 30, 2002 (Canberra)

Mark:

I was pissing away time at the Internet Kiosk when he walked up behind me and started a conversation. At first, my guard was up but he charmed me with his simple and straightforward manner. He is proud of OZ and he said he thinks life is better here than in the States. Yes, I agree. I think he was looking to debate and argue, but I was not about to put myself in a potentially bad situation. After a few more minutes of stranger chit chat, he told me that he prefers Yanks to Pommies. He then touched my face…hmmm (I can take him down with a well-placed kick)….I have never been called a Yank before. Been called many names and a Yank is not one of them…quite a different feeling.

I have always been baffled about the word Pommie. I know they refer to people from the UK visiting Australia. But what is the origin of the word? Finally, he explained. Pommie is culled from pomegranate (the fruit) and the red color of its skin is likened to the skin of newly arrived UK folks. Cool. I get it now…hey Mike, now you know too! Of course, Pom also is a Sabre machine…

Anyway, I got on very well with Mark and he gave me a lift to the bus station because it was getting late. Ok. Should I trust the goodness of strangers? Yes. I did. Mark was cool. I got to the bus in time to catch my overnight ride to Melbourne.

I am Mary Grace, trusting the goodness of strangers
PS...I have no definite accomodations in Melbourne, but I will figure it out when I get there. I am sure the Melbourne Cup has nothing to do with the lack of available beds in the city. Heaven help me! hahahahah