“Space, as it rolls and tumbles away between him and his native soil, proves to have powers normally ascribed only to time; from hour to hour, space brings about changes very like those time produces, yet surpassing them in certain ways. Space, like time, gives birth the forgetfulness, but does so by removing an individual from all relationships and placing him in a free and pristine state - indeed, in but a moment it can turn a pedant and philistine into something like a vagabond. Time, they say, is water from the river Lethe, but alien air is a similar drink; and if its effects are less profound, it works all the more quickly.”
The Magic Mountain - Thomas Mann
That’s a passage from page 2. I just started reading it last night.
Today I woke early, 3:00 am local time. I loitered a bit, but eventually showered and left for a walk. I was hoping to see the southern cross. Alas, clouds. But there was a brief sunrise. I managed to get a few pictures of the morning as it overtook the lake. Jet lag can be a good thing for the wannabe photog.
Today is a national holiday. It’s the running of the Melbourne Cup. Yes, it’s a national holiday for a horse race. It’s like having the Superbowl on a Tuesday, and adding a touch of Mardi Gras to the mix. Yeah, the Aussies like their sports.
The guidebook I snagged from the library provided a suggested walking tour route. So loaded up at the hotel breakfast buffet and set off with this as a general plan. Here are some observations from today....
Very interesting birds. One has a call that’s sorta like a very young girl's laughter. (it’s kinda weird) Many kinds, all colorful.
Lots of roses.
Food is not that different from the US. The butter is oddly yellower though. Beer and bottled water are roughly the same price. Overall it’s an expensive town.
Their row of monuments is very impressive. They went a very different direction with their Vietnam Memorial. I really like it. And they have a very good monument to the military nurses. It was nice during the day, but I bet that one is a real gem after dark.
Pack lunch if you’re touristing about on race day. Most everything was closed. There were some block parties though. Some with bands and jumbo-tron TV’s for the race. I hung out at one for a while, watched the race, and chatted with a clown on stilts. Had some good homemade doughnuts.
The Aussies have a very pleasant happy-go-luckiness about them. It’s nice. It’s not “have nice day,” but rather, “catch ya later,” like you just made a friend in a small town. It’s nice. Service is also kind. At the airport gate the attendant would call a name, and when you raised your hand from your chair, she would walk over to deliver your new boarding pass. No, “come here and stand in line while I think about what to do with you.” This echoes the common sentiment that Americans are generally loud, rude, and dirty. I get it.
More later. lots to do...
