Antiquities, Chivalry, and friendship

Feb 21st

Real preserved mummy at the Nicholson Museum

Started out the day very late, but it ended up being a very productive day. The first thing I did was go to the Nicholson Museum within the Quadrangle at the University of Sydney. It holds the largest collection of ancient artifacts in Australia, not that that is saying much, because it still was not all too big. It had some intriguing exhibits though, and it was free to get in, so no complaints.

The crowded grounds of the Sydney Gay Mardi Gra Festival

I then went straight away to the Gay Mardi Gras Festival in Victoria Park. It was CRAZY how many people were there! Gay and straight, young and old, even tons of families. Everyone seemed to be having a good time. Australia is generally less ignorant than much of America about differences such as this.

The Chinese Garden

Not content with what I had already done, I ended up visiting the Chinese Garden of Friendship, one of the largest of its kind outside of China. It was beautifully designed with bamboo, traditional Chinese buildings and walkways, as well as rocks shaped like animals. At no one point can you see all the garden. It even had marvelous flowing waterfalls and a big central pond with fish swimming through.

Animal shaped rocks in the Chinese Garden

The final notable thing I did was visit Paddy's Market, a humongous indoor market that stretches forever and includes wares of all kinds. I will certainly come back for souvenirs down the road.

Waterfall at the Chinese Garden

I was introduced to Australian hip hop. It's actually pretty good! Very American/Jamaican influenced it appears. I've been listening to Hilltop Hoods all day. Not bad in the least bit.

Fish at the Chinese Garden

This song is particularly good: The Hard Road

Keep it level!

Jono De Costa

Me and Zach, Chinese Garden

Australian marketing is a wee bit straightforward