Day 143 of international places giving smiles – Remembering Canberra –capital of Australia
21st Dec.09 Finally get to see the room where my first born architect son has been staying at Canberra ever since he left our cozy India nest to study abroad. It was a spacious 4 bedroom bungalow, used by two architects and 2 musician students
Our relative took us to view the city of Canberra from its highest point Mount Annesley. We witnessed the beautiful changing colours of the city both before and after sunset that happens around 8.30 p.m.
We prayed at the Murugan temple at Torrens and immediately got the news that our daughter’s passport has been received with the Australian visa! In the malls, people seemed relaxed, and friendly, I must have been the only one walking fast as if I was in a Mumbai suburban station. The whole country seemed to be in a holiday mood, walking around in flip flops…I even saw a woman in a colourful stole over a swimsuit walking nonchalantly amongst the crowds.
I also visit my sons department of architecture at the University Of Canberra, Loved the ambience, loved the kangaroos there, Itseemed like an ideal place for creative genius people to bring out their architectural designs.
It was a wet Christmas day in 2009. We went to the Telstra tower on top of the Black Mountain of Canberra, so called because of the black barks of the Eucalyptus trees here.
The day after Christmas is a public holiday called Boxing day (to take care of Boxes of Christmas presents). We went to 2 malls for the whole day to witness the crazy rush at the Sales.
And we just had to see how the Aussies celebrate the end of 2009! A live band performs in the public place and the people of Canberra dance in the open after the first fireworks show at 9 p.m.
Families get together on the brightly lit up streets. We can feel the festive ambience of the place on new years eve.
We then went for an exclusive private party with the best musicians of Canberra. Had interesting conversation with two dress designers, drinking my mocktail from a fresh coconut cup! Liked her black dress which could also turn into a skirt.
Son, along with the musician host was making cocktails in the open kitchen. It is filled with a variety of fruits, juices and liquors. Different guests experiment with their own version of cocktails!
Met the band members of the group called Ninjas.- the prodigy lead guitarist, the drummer & guitarist & singer in one, the,key Board player, the gifted lead vocal singer and writer along with sons housemate the base guitarist,and the second twin drummer.I think we 3 Indians were the only non-musically trained persons in this exclusive new year eve party with probably the most gifted musicians of Canberra!
My Indian bindi, henna tatoo and Semolina pancakes (mini Rava Dosas) were a big hit here among the very friendly Australians. This classy houseparty was filled with talented musicians who kept taking turns and giving us an assortment of live musical performances. Was amused to see sons housemate on the floor totally engrossed in the world of music. I could sense that this group feels the music in their blood when I saw their totally self expressed style of dancing
Next morning I met another musician housemate who has his own band called – The Rounds and their original compositions even get played on local radio. I try to show a lot of simple cooking to son I had cooked mostly Indian food but these australians will not even attempt to try spicy stuff… and most of the time they were away with their families for the christmas season. I made lemonade from around 85 lemons from this tree in thethe back side of sons house. I used to lookout for colourful birds. I did a lot of writing here. Sometimes found crazy stuff like a blonde wig, so tried out the blond look in sons backyard. The time spent in this house with son showed me what it means to relax with simplicity
One evening we decided to conquered the neighbouring peak of Mount Painter. We passed by many horses having a free run around the place. We climb up slowly lying on brown lands, the telstra tower on black mountain could be seen in the background. Felt almost pushed by the stong winds on the peak of Mount Painter. Finally when we reached on top of Mount Painter we tried to look forsons house among the trees…Canberra is also called the bush capital. Just on the hill behind sons house we actually came in close proximity to a kangaroo. This nature park and Mount painter is 2 minutes walking distance from sons house
By 8th. jan 10husband and daughter came so we went on a day long Sightseeing trip in Canberra. We actually sensed the sacrifice made by the war heroes at the Australian War Memorial. Saw the two islands on Lake Burley Griffin which are the site for a future Museum of Nature in Canberra. For his whole Semester son had worked on this project for his Design subject. Also saw the new modern Parliament House that has been brilliantly designed by the architect
At night we went dancing at the ‘Light House Pub’ where son works part time. Next morning went shopping with daughter while the men went golfing. Borrowed a cooker to make Rava Idlis from a relatives apartment – the place where Son stayed as soon as he came to Canberra.
I started and ended my Canberra sight seeing with this relative, viewing this beautifully planned city in different colours again from the top of Mount Ainsley.
So which place made you smile today?
Be grateful for the places that make you smile!
Recent Comments