HOW ARE YOU GOING? SEE YA LATER AND THE MAGPIE BLUES --- DAY 31

Couldn’t get going this morning - (they always ask -- How are you going?  instead of How are you doing?  I was "going" slow as it was Sunday.  Was planning on going to church but it was at 7:45.  I will go next week when I get home.) Got a lot of things off my worries today, always feels better when you have taken the pressure off and let it go....Now to move on and do some power touring for the next three days.  Not exactly skipping down the streets (Essex Street is like San Francisco with it's steepness) but definitely moving.---- 

Check out my hotel -- a bit of a skyscraper -- 22nd floor has a view too. 

Finally made it out to the Rocks Market and had a great time.  I liked this one better than Paddington.  Both reminded me of ones in London, but this one had more “stuff” -- books --- no I didn’t buy any :), art, crafts, etc.  The other market had lots of clothes and not that much other stuff.   It was a beautiful day with the sun out but it was cold. 

They have a little museum in the Rocks area (one of the oldest areas of Sydney where the workers used to live).  It had information about the area and its history.  The old building was interesting but it was very small.  I didn’t know they had protests in Australia - I thought they all just went out for beer when there was a problem.  Here they had protests regarding the demolition of the area. 

I love history museums and one of my favorite museums in New York City is the Tenement Museum.  Last summer I went to the Sassi area in Matera  and saw how Italians lived in caves until the 1950’s -- it was a fascinating and memorable experience.  It was kind of like a more up to date version of the pueblos.  This trip, I hit Susannah Place and Kathleen took me on an individual tour.  People lived in these four row houses from  approximately the 1840's until 1990.  The original owner made a lot of improvements because she lived there too.  They had running water and toilets.  Aussies conserve the place instead of restore it (is that cheaper?).  Fascinating to see how people lived in these little places.  Times were so different then.

On my way thru the CBD, I couldn't figure out what this was for 

I trekked over to the Museum of Sydney and gave up my backpack yet again -- every museum they like to keep it.  This museum is on the site of the old government building.  There was exhibit there that shocked and saddened me.  I consider myself fairly well read and tried to read a lot about Australian history prior to coming here.  There was an exhibit on German Internment Camps and how the Aussies interned Australian citizens just because they were of German descent.  Even a 71 year old prominent brewer got interned.  I guess we were not the only ones who screwed up during the war by interning out Japanese citizens.   

Right down the road was the Justice and Police Museum.  They had great exhibit on the “underworld” of Sydney.  Didn’t realize this place was sin city like Vegas or New Orleans.  The building was very interesting and it is where they used to have the court room (check out the dock).  Maybe we should set ones up like that in the US?

Look where I will be Tuesday morning ---- hum??? Gotta get my gumption up to complete that feat.... I think I can, I think I can, I think I can....

Had a great meal at Guylian (yes, I have been there twice so far) --- and dessert as a treat :) 

At the Opera House, even the Women's Bathroom is interesting:

And their permanent residents are friendly:

Then for the big event of the day --- Magpie Blues with Ursula Yovich (a Serboriginal as she called herself -- mom Aborigine and her father a Serb immigrant).  I have been to many a live music concert in an area where blues and jazz were born.   Seeing Irma Thomas and other greats, I have comparisons to make -- Ms. Yovich has a voice and a stage presence that should take her far.  She was amazing and put on a wonderful show. 

She came out and signed CD’s and spoke to the audience.  Her show consisted of her telling of her growing up as a half Aborigine and half white.  Great stories and she did a killer medley of 80’s songs.  But what gave you chills was her rendition of Fields of Gold by Sting.  She brought it home then. 

The Sydney Opera House had the Studio theater set up as a cabaret complete with a huge disco ball -- so you know I was loving it :) -- am all about those disco balls.  At my table were some international masters journalism students -- Lynn from Taiwan and a Czech lawyer.  They had been to the Message Sticks film festival too.  One of the benefits of living in or near a big city -- interesting educational events--- helps add to your horizons.

Lovely moon out tonight over the harbor, no way to capture it in a photograph. Maybe I will have more luck tomorrow night.  (Also when you leave people they say See ya later, instead of good bye or good night) -- See ya later Opera House (ie early tomorrow morning.)