Two Up on ANZAC Day, my departure approaches...

Yesterday was fun. It was ANZAC Day, a national holiday, a day of remembrance for Australian and New Zealand soldiers. I watched a bit of the parade on television and then went for a stroll throughout the city to gauge its atmosphere. People were celebrating everywhere. Lots wore their military uniforms and gathered at popular pubs to have a drink or two.



I headed out to a pub with some friends as well. We played a game called Two up, which is basically where you bet whether two coins you toss are going to land both heads or tails, tossing again if it is one and one. People then place side bets after someone matches the centre bet. Strangely enough, this game is illegal every other day of the year, other than November 11th. I had fun playing it, though as it always seems, I have no luck. I was the 'spinner' a couple times, being that I got to toss the coins and tried to get them to land on what I had bet. The goal as the spinner is to get three tosses in a row to land either heads or tails. I never got past the first toss, nor did I win any money. But I had fun along with everyone playing it and got to participate in a cultural experience.

Today was nice and sunny - but cold. It was only about 20 degrees out and being in the sun wouldn't bring as much warmth as it used to. It's getting colder :( I am glad that I start traveling up the coast in 9 days! Up being the key word; closer to the equator, and therefore warmer. My last few days of work are this week. It turns out that I am going to have almost a week before I start traveling where I am not working either. I don't know what I am going to do with that time, other than the day or so it is going to take me to prepare to leave. Hmm, if anyone has any ideas please feel free to suggest. I hate being bored out of my mind.

aNdReW mEaDeS