Faux festivities

Tuesday 23rd December 2014

Now, don't let the title of this blog decieve you, I had a great and memorable time over Christmas... but it just didn't feel like Christmas.  Spending Chrismas day on the beach in the sun just didn't feel right!   I flew back to Sydney on the afternoon of Tuesday 23rd and within a couple of hours of landing I'd bumped into a friend from Railway Square YHA.  I tried to make my room Christmassy by pinning mu Christmas cards under the bunk above me!  I have to admit that while I was queueing at Brisbane Airport for the Bag Drop, the realisation that I wouldn't be at home for Christmas hit me and I had to hold back the tears!  I had visions of me sobbing to the poor Check In assistant but luckily by the time I reached the desk I was composed once more!

Wendesday 24th December 2014, Christmas Eve
Now I was back in Sydney I was keen to see the Christmas sights as well  as Martin Place after the seige the week before.  The first stop was the Lego Tree in Pitt Street Mall which was very impressive.  The tree itself was made of Duplo but all of the extras were made of small lego bricks.

Arriving in Martin Place, I admired the impressive tree before continuing to the floral tibutes.  The majorty had been collected up and those that remained were sheltered under a marquee.  It was very moving to be there for the first time since the seige and I'm not ashamed to say I choked up and shed a few tears.  Even wrtiting this a week later, I'm welling up.  Thoughtfully the City of Sydney had printed montages and fixed them around large screens.  I don't know why but I felt compelled to sit opposite the Lindt Cafe and it was quite haunting to see it boarded up with black plastic covereing some of the windows.

Later that day I went to Broadway Shopping Centre to try to get even more Christmassy, this being the extent of my efforts!

In the evening I headed over to Railway Square where they were holding a Christmas Eve dinner.  Frustratingly, I'd missed out on a ticket but still enjoyed a few drinks before heading to the fireworks in Darling Harbour.  We didn't make it in time though, only catching glimpses in the reflections of the nearby buildings and arriving just in time for the final flurry!

We enjoyed some busking dancers though and another drink in a nearby bar and I have to say I really enjoyed this different Christmas Eve!

Thursday 25th December 2014, Christmas Day
After a slow start, I headed over to Railway Square YHA where I met Steph and Zoe for our Secret Santa Book Exchange.  It worked really well with everyone pleased with their gift - I received The Messenger by Markus Suzak, the author of The Book Thief - I hadn't even realised that is had published other novels.

After a short while, Steph, Zoe, Ceri, Judith and I headed to Bronte Beach on the bus.  Luckily we got on at one of the first stops as in the end it was heaving with revellers visiting Bondi or Bronte.  We had glorious weather but when it came to having a barbeque, the public sites were heaving!  Zoe and I gave up waiting, electing instead for a medicore hot dog and chips from the kiosk, eating them in the park. 

We left Bronte at just the right time because after battling a massive queue for the bus, the heavens opened, welcoming a thunder storm.  Back at the hostel, Steph and I shared Mr Kipling's Mince Pies (imported from the UK!) and a Trivisal Pursuit card game and Stategories.  In amongt games I Facetimed home to share in Jamie's Santa excitement.  He'f left a note asking Santa to tick a box and forgotton to check.  When I reminded him I heard squeals of "He has!" from the hallway!  After Steph went home, I watched Elf before returning to my hostel. 

Friday 26th December 2014, Boxing Day
I think there's something about sleeping in a very dark room that makes it easy to lie in so I got up late and before I knew it, it was 12:30pm. Realising it was the day of the Sydney to Hobart boat race I jumped on a train to Circular Quay before discovering in left from nowhere near!  Nevertheless, I managed another sunny selfie and proof that I had at least tried to get there!

I enjoyed the afternoon at the Art Gallery of New South Wales at the Pop to Popism exhibition where I saw lots of my favourite pieces of art. I'll try to add images at some point. 

Richard Hamilton - Carapace

Eduardo Paolozzi - I was a rich mans plaything (only A4!)

Jasper Johns - white numbers

Richard Hamilton - just what... (again, really small!)

Peter Blake - Self portrait witb buttons 

Andy Warhol - Campbell's soup

Roy Lichtenstein -in the car

Andy Warhol - triple elvis

Andy Warhol - Marilyn Monroe

Niki de saint phalle - black beauty from the nana series 

Erro - pop's history

Mike Brown - big mess

Martin Sharp - Mr Tamborine Man

Martin Sharp/Tim Lewis - the unexpected answer

Martin Sharp/Tim Lewis - still life

Andy Warhol - self portrait no 9

Maria Kozic - masterpieces (Warhol)

In the evening I saw the lego tree lit up and deafened Jamie and Dad on FaceTime when it started belting out Christmas tunes.

I also found a huge Christmas tree in the Queen Victoria building which you can see on each level. I wonder how they got it in there. 

Unfortunately the animations were no longer being projected onto the town hall but it was still beautifully lit. 

As I said at the beginning of this post, I really enjoyed these few days with good company but it just didn't feel like Christmas! Imagine the hottest week in July with everyone wearing Santa hats - it was just like that!

It's true, Christmas can feel like a lot of work, particularly for mothers. But when you look back on all the Christmases in your life, you'll find you've created family traditions and lasting memories. Those memories, good and bad, are really what help to keep a family together over the long haul. - Caroline Kennedy