ANZAC Day

This Saturday I woke up very early in order to attend a dawn ANZAC day service at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne. Through this service as well as by talking with Australians, I learned that ANZAC stands for Australian New Zealand Army Core. The day itself if meant to be one of remembrance for all soldiers who have fought as well as died in service for Australia and New Zealand, particularly those who fought on the beach of Gallipoli, Turkey during the first World War on April 25. This year marks the one hundredth anniversary of the battle at Gallipoli, which resulted in a massive turnout of people for the dawn service. There were thousands of people standing outside in the darkness of early morning as the rain came down.

        Towards the end of the service, the choir and many of those in the crowd sang the Australian National Anthem. It occurred to me after this that I had never even actually heard the words before then. Also on the walk back I saw a long carpet, at least one city block in length, of red crocheted poppies. Some had picture of soldier tied to them. It was a very impressive sight to behold as it must have taken a great deal of time and organization to make and put together the thousands of flowers that were used. I am grateful to be here in Australia for this event, to share in the remembrance of the armed forces.

Expectations

Happily this week my rugby team had enough players to not forfeit our game and we even managed to end the game in a tie. This is much better than the 25 point loss that ended in a forfeit at half time to due the loss of players to injuries that occurred at our first game  last week. I got to start and had more energy throughout the game than I had in past games so that means the conditioning has been working. For many girls on this team it was their first game and seeing as we were playing an a ready well established team, tying the game was very good and more than I expected.

        Another event that was not what I expect was a Scout meeting. While Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts do exist here in Australia, there is another organization, called Scouts, that is coed and continues into adulthood. I went to my first meeting this week in which I learned what membership entails. Though I am interested in joining, I feel as if I will not be around long enough to really enjoy the organization. I think that I will still participate as far a my schedule allows. The activities will be fun and enriching, certainly I will be able to go do things that I cannot do on my own. As I sat in this meeting, I thought about how joining will again mean inserting myself into yet another already established group of people. I also started to wonder if it is worth my time to join another group when I have two others in which I am starting to really feel like a part of a community. Really, the meeting was alright, but it was thought of trying to integrate myself into another group of people that drained my energy.

Uluru

           Over the Easter Break this week I traveled to Alice Springs and then Uluru, a large rock formation in the Australian Outback. The size of the rock is impressive, in part due to the level surroundings void of other tall structures. When planning this trip, I was under the impression that I would be able to climb the rock. I did not, however, because the guide explained it is disrespectful to Anangu, the Aboriginal people of the area. Under the certain weather conditions, the rock is open for climbing and hundreds of tourists have climbed it. Some have even died doing so. The Anangu request that visitors do not climb Uluru because it is a sacred site to them and they feel responsible when visitors die. Certain areas are used for important ceremonies and only full members of the Anangu are allowed to view them.
        Rather than climb the Uluru, the tour walked on the 10k path around the it. The path is this long in order to put distance between hikers and the rock at set points which are sacred sites so hikers could not see them. There are other points on the walk that bring you right up to the rock and the sheer size of it is awe-inspiring. In some of the small caves and overhangs are paintings that map out where one can find water and hunting grounds.
        I am very glad to have learned all this about the Anangu culture. The idea of a sacred site is not new to me, but most that I am exposed to are man made: churches, temples, cemeteries, etc. However, it is the Anangu’s ancestors that make Uluru sacred rather than something the people built for them. They believe Uluru was shaped by their ancestors beings at the beginning of time and that is why it is sacred.

Catholic Culture

This week it was not Australian culture that made me stop and think but Catholic culture.  It expands beyond international borders and plays a vital role in many people’s lives. Last night I went to a Good Friday service with some other members of COSDU (Catholic of One Spirit Down Under).  This group, though is made up of mostly international students from Asia, has made me feel the most welcome in Australia out of any other group.

After the Good Friday service we went to one of the member’s house and watched The Passion of Christ, which is very graphically violent.  At the end of the movie, everyone was checking in with each other to make sure we were all alright. When I spoke with another new member after the movie, she expressed how nice it is to have the instant connection of the shared Catholic tradition with this group. I must say that I agree. I can bond more easily and quicker with other Catholics from different nations than even other Americans. Perhaps this is because Catholics have the same, or very similar, morals and beliefs as well as what we consider acceptable behavior whereas any two Americans may have a very wide range of beliefs. Catholic culture is an international one, and for that I am grateful because it has been a doorway for me to connect with others.

Kayaking and Scavenger Hunts

Last night I went on an awesome kayak tour. It was off to a rocky start when it took about 15 minute to find the correct dock, but once we found it there were not more issues. The instructors were friendly as well as the other kayakers. We practiced paddling around the harbor and then ate fish and chips in our kayaks. After everyone was done eating, we headed out of the harbor and into the Yarra River. Seeing as Melbourne is a cosmopolitan area,  we  paddled under lots of bridge. My buddy and I, who is also an American, whistled “Yankee Doodle” while paddling under some of the underpasses. This trip allowed me to see the city from a new angle as well as made me realize how much of the Melbourne I have yet see, which is exciting.

        On a less exciting topic, a scavenger hunt that I was really looking forward to this week was canceled. However, I still ran into the leaders of the club who were having a planning meeting and had some nice conversations with them, most about Game of Thrones and the Stations of the Cross. Though the day did not work out as I plan and I was disappointed about the scavenger hunt being canceled, it was still a good day, especially since I suddenly had time to finish my mid-term paper.

Support Systems

The best part of my week was not an adventure or a new experience. Rather, it was simply talking with friends whom I have not been able to catch up with since coming to Australia. It was good to experience that support system again and be reminded that it is still there, even if those in it are no longer in the next room over.

       On the other end of the spectrum, a negative experience this week was realizing I missed a get together with some of the few people I know in my building. I was at rugby practice during the BBQ. Though I am glad I went to practice because I am closer to my teammates than those I live with, I still had a sense of missing out. Though I already knew before this trip that commitment to certain groups and organizations means not participating in others, the feelings of missing out were not diminished. Regardless of this, however, I am happy in my decision to involve myself in the rugby community rather than others. It has proven to be a place that I can more easily connect with people and feel a part of a community in which I might, over time, develop another a support system.

Fried Ice Cream

One of the really great things about Melbourne, at least in the warmer months, is that there is almost always a festival on the weekend. Today’s festival was focused on Thailand. There were dance performances on the main stage, stalls to buy traditional food, and crafting tables. One table had an amazing display various fruits carved into beautiful flowers. In another, three women were making a paste which they then hardened and  sculptured into small fruits and imitation rubber ducks.

        Wanting to try something new but unsure with so many options, I chose to eat something I have heard of, but did not understand how to make: fried ice cream. Though I’m not at all sure it is a traditional Thai dish, it was very good and the presentation of it was certainly different than if I were to order the same thing at home. It was presented in a triangular shape, the ice cream in a paper like sugar case that was fried. The ice cream was served with almonds, roasted coconut and a caramel sauce on the side as well. It was all quite delicious.

        Sugary sweets aside, I could have used my time at the festival better. I did not learn much at all of Thailand culture. I can tell the difference now between their clothes and some dances from other Asian cultures that I have also been exposed to and before today I could not have. However, I do not know why the styles of dance and dress are the way they are. Nor could I tell you if fruit carving or fried ice cream are unique or original to Thailand. Really what I learned today is how much I do not know, that and how to fry ice cream.