Priscilla, queen of the desert

I've have had a fantastic day in Sydney.

Up at 7:30 a.m. to get a shower. Ate some museli (for you hillbillies, that's what most foreignors eat for breakfast...it's a kind of cereal) and some toast and had some hot tea.

It was abosolutely chucking it down. Put on several layers of coats and my rain coat and off I headed out the door. It's about a 20 minute walk from the hostel to the nearby attractions. It was pouring...big time. The first place I came to was St. Mary's Cathedral. Wow...what an impressive and beautiful place. I sat in a pew...said a few prayers..and then explored. It was built in 1821. BEsides the comfort of being in the Lord's house, it was nice to be out of the rain. From there, I wandered through Hyde Park, Cook & Phillip Park and then headed to the mint. Wanted to see how they make $ in Australia...interesting small museum in a wonderful old building. From there, I went to the Hyde Park Barracks Museum. Very interesting.

Sydney was founded as a penal colony for convicts from Great Britian in 1788. June bug...maybe this is what you were talking about. Anyways...England was running out of room so they decided to send their convicts to Australia . 700 arrived and thus a place to store them was needed. The convicts helped to build their own prison, Hyde Park Barracks.  Evenutally, over 160,00 prisoners at any one time were kept here. The prisioners were either hard core criminals (murder, rape) or some just for petty violations (petty thief)..nonetheless, off to Australia they came. As more prisoners arrived, a need to establish a place was needed. By the way, Captain Cook first discovered Australia (New South Wales) in 1770. A governor was named for this land, now called Sydney, government was established, and viola, Sydney is the vibrant place it is today thanks to some convicts from Great Britain. To continue my story..the prisoners were treated badly..often receiving harsh punishments. At first, it was only males but eventually, female convicts were sent here as well. Good thing as according to the museum, there was lots of homosexuality taking place in prison (and what's changed from 1788 to now?). On Sunday, all convicts were required to attend mass at St. James' Cathedral...which was built by convicts who also helped to build St. Mary's Cathedral.

From 1788-1848---convcits lived in these barracks

From 1848-186-immigrants from around the world lived here and it became an asylum for homeless women

From 1887-1920-it became the Chauncery (some kind of gov't thing)

From 1921-1979-it became home of political offices and gov't offices

From 1979-now..it became a museum

It's quite an interesting place..and I'm so glad I took the time to visit it. Mind you, had it not been raining, I might have skipped it..but I'm glad I didnt'.

From there, I walked past the Sydney hospital. It's very old..and is still used today even though they have built a more modern one. Next door to that is the Parilament. The most ordinary buildilng for a parliament. It used to be part of the hospital (before it was called Sydney Hospital...it was called Rum Hospita; because in order to get $ to build it,  governor Macquarie of NSW (New South Wales) imported 60,000 gallons of rum and sold it to make money...and viola, a hospital was built. Anyways...Parliament is now one part of this hospital and was built in 1816. Of course, they have built  new, modern sections to the building.

took a free tour...really neat. Saw the legaslatures in session. Wasn't able to go in..but I had a great view from the hallway and I stood and watched them for quite a while...despite the security guard's watchful eye who was sure that I was going to go into the room. So..let me tell you a little bit about Parliament. It is the law-making body for NSW. It is Australia's first and olderst parliament. It consists of two democratically elected houses. The lower house is the legislative assembley, the seat of gov't which is formed by the party supporrted by the majority fo the house's 93 members. Elections take place very 4 uears using an optional preferential voting system. Like most parliaments, they introduce bills and conduct gov't business. The parliament of NSW is directly elected by the people to make state laws, control state finances and discuss important matters.

The upper house, the legislative coundil, has 42 members. Each serving 8 years terms. Half rotate off after 4 years. Members are elected on a state-wide basis in proportion to the toal vote their party receives. Ironically, no major party has held a majority since 1988 which means the house has a broad and diverse representation of minor parties and groups.

The other two sides of parliament is the executive (the Cabinet) and the judicary (judges and courts). Each has separate functions and acts to balance the power of the others.

Finally, Australina has 3 leverls of gov't (federal, state and local), with the state most responsible for day to day matters like education, health, police, roads, and transport while the feddral gov't deals with national matters. Same set up as USA. Enough about politics.

From there, I walked to Macquaries Chair...a chair cut out of rock..apparently, it's where Gov Macquireis wife liked to sit and stare out at Sydney Harbour. Followed the harbour around through the Botantical Gardens to Sydney Opera House. I toured it 10 years ago when I came so I didn't tour it again...but it's still an impressive place. Poked around for a while, took lots of photos and then some photos of the Syndey Harbour bridge.

Walked to the area called The Rocks....a trendy place with quaint shops, restaurants and pubs. It's located just before you reach the harbour bridge. Found a neat little chapel and sat and mediated...as well as get out of the rain and rest my weary feet a bit.

From there, headed to main shopping area. I recalled visitng the Queen Victoria Mall. 10 years ago..had to find it. yep...still an awesome place. It puts modern day malls to shame. Hard to describe this place....just amazing. My watch broke (last year it was my camera, this year my watch) to pick up a cheap watch. Bought one for $15. If it lasts through the winter, that will be good. Lots of lots of shopping malls and people. Just happeend to find a theatre and went to look at it..when I saw signs for "Priscially Queen of Desert musical." Hm....why not. Bought a ticket for a show later on that day.

Walked over the Darling Harbour bridge to Darling Harbor. I suddenly had a flashback of being there 10 years ago and a statue promoting the forthcoming Olympics. Yep..walked to the spot and found the statue. Funny how I remember such stuff after 10 years and many years of traveling around the world. I will have to say that Syndey is user friendly. Having hosted the Olympics, they really made it transportation friendly as well. Trams, MEtro, Trains, Buses everywhere..even though I walked everywhere. The plaza where the Olympic festivities (not actual sporting events but fun events) is amazing. Someone really had a vision to lay it out. It's right beside the convention center, a huge entertainment complex and the harbour. It's a very functional place even today with beautiful gardens, entertainment platforms, playground and lots of space to wander and exlpore. Down there, the aquarium, Imax, maritime museum and many other things are located. Found Paddy's market..cool stuff. They were just closing...so I must put this market back on my list of places to visit this week...to do some shopping (cheap prices...not that you people are cheap...but remember..I am cheap and I have to carry this stuff).

Grabbed a bite to eat and sit down and read a local newspaper. It was now 6:00 p.m. and 2 hours before my show began. Found a footie bar and went in. By the way, footie is short for football (rugby) which is so poplular in Australia. Other Aussie words are jackaroo and jillaroo (cowboys and cowgirls), barbie (BBQ), football (which is soccer), bonds (deposits...like we'd do when we rent an apt), etc. Sat and had 2 Tooney beers and watched the locals shoot pool. It was a nice pub.

So..went to Lyric Theater to see my show. Oh my gosh...I laughed and laughed and laughed from the minute it started. For those of you not familiar with it, it's a musical about some drag queens traveling through the outback of Australia. I had seen the movies years ago..so i knew what it was about. All of the music was from teh 70's and 80's...so foot tapping the entire time. The singing was fantastic, the acting amazing and the dancing hilarious. A large greyhound bus was used as teh prop for most of the show. Oh..I am so glad I chose to see this musical. Most of the actors were men dressed in dressed, of coursse. I loved it...I would love to see it in NC some day. It's certainly not one of those that I would take MOC students to see (CAB event) as I just dont' think it would pass MOC's standards. Hee.

Walked back home from the theatre...thought it would be a 30 minute walk or something but it was almost an hour. Oh well. back to hostel at midnight. slept like a baby.

So...I'm sitting in a zip mart/handy mart/convenicne store using the internet. Funny how this is whwere the internet cafes are. I'm surrounded by candy, chips and pop just typing away. It's $3.00 for unlimited time...better than free 15 minute increments at the hostel.

Today..Friday for me (thursday for you guys), it's raining again. Darn. I was headed out to the Olympic Park to explore. Plus, the other thing that I really want to do is do the harbour bridge climb..and they dont' do it if it's raining. This rain must stop. Tonight, I will call Yeeka and make plans to meet up with him during the weekend.

So...I will sign off for now. Keep those emails coming my way.

Adventure on,

Julie