Archive for the 'Esoterica' Category

How did I not know that Sydney is one the of the best cities in the entire world?  It was never high on my list of places to visit but I am here now (lucky me!) and I am dazzled by the beauty, ease and culture.

The Culture

The DNA of the city is colonialism with penal colony.  The aboriginal inhabitants were decimated when the Europeans arrived and endured centuries of ill treatment (see Rabbit-Proof Fence for instance.  The Prime Minister formally apologized recently.  Today there is enormous respect for the oldest continuing indigenous culture.

But getting back to the penal colony.  Overcrowded prisons, like Newgate, needed somewhere new to send their not-as-wicked criminals once the Americans declared their independence.  Plus they hoped to colonize the place.  Personally I think they might have eased up on the harshness of the punishments–stealing a horse is a hanging offense?  Stealing some bread sends a 9-year-old to Australia for seven years?   Still, over they came along with the soldiers to guard them.  Prisoners on one side–here’s a nice rocky spot for you to build your new home.  Soldiers and gentry on the other side of the Tank Stream. They nearly starved the first two years but eventually the settlement flourished.

200 years later, that plucky, rule-breaking, solve-the-problem DNA is still evident…alongside a collectivist society.  It’s an intriguing combo.  We are audacious but we stick together.

The Beauty

I haven’t been everywhere but this is the most beautiful harbor I’ve experienced.  We can walk all around it on thoughtfully placed paths.  Mass transit is world-class–especially ferries!!  The sun shines.  It’s safe.  And I learned part of the secret yesterday:  After an outbreak of the plague in the early 1900s the government decided to do a major overhaul: clean up the rubbish, ensure clean drinking water and hire rat-catchers.  They also decided to buy up the area known as The Rocks (remember that hospitable site they gave to the convicts) for a million dollars.  Now the government manages the property and tenants have long-term leases.  The result is a cohesive and thoughtful development of the area.  No runaway pillaging here!

Playful

Who doesn’t love meeting Australians when they travel?  I remember hanging out with lots of them in my brief back-packing days.  They are jolly and friendly AND they speak English.  Who wouldn’t be happy?  In ten minutes you can be on one of dozens of beaches in the city.  On Day One we visited Bondi Beach.  Hello!  15 minutes from the Central Business District.

While there we had a brief chat with the owner of this magnificent vehicle:

Features included:

• completely waterproof
• windproof to 50 knots
• satellite reception
• configurable inside and extremely spacious
• industrial-strength poles for shading and stability

He proudly likened his bus to a Swiss-army knife.  I liked the fact that it’s so whimsical.  Overall a fine example of innovation: creative and useful.  And uniquely Australian.

Cheers!