On to Byron

I rose early from my closet like room in Brisbane and after a refreshing morning shower walked back down to the transit station to catch the bus to Byron Bay. It was a very nice Greyhound coach, and I had two seats to myself. As it turns out it was hardly enough because the odd schizophrenic woman who sat across the aisle insisted on listening to her "music" without earphones. Why this affection for American hip-hop? It makes me feel as if I am in a strip club, but of course without the distraction of nudity. The bus took a torturous route through the Gold Coast, a strange place of widely spaced high rise apartment buildings that is oddly devoid of people. You would think with such a sea of humanity stacked atop each other that the streets would be a sea of humanity, but it was like a movie set from one of those "end of the world" pictures where the streets are deserted. I imagine the surfing is excellent, but I was eager to get beyond the concrete. Once we crossed the border into New South Wales the countryside began, with lush forested hillsides and open pastures with cattle grazing. It was very beautiful. Then we reached Byron Bay where I waited in the city center for a shuttle to take me to the packpacker hostel where I am currently ensconced. This is a very nice place, with lots of room and what appears to be a laid back clientle. I have just settled in, but will take a walk, or bicycle ride, back into the town to look for some Indian food, some cold Coopers, and people watch a bit.

Take Me Out to the Ball Game

I can't seem to get "Blogger" to upload my photographs, but I will keep trying and, if all else fails, add them later. I had a good night's sleep in the hostel after a pretty exciting evening. From my wanderings yesterday I realized I was a mere three blocks from Suncorp Stadium, the home of the Brisbane Broncos rugby team. When I went out for dinner last night there was a sea of humanity flowing towards the stadium and I realized it was game night! Rather than go to a restaurant, I decided to go to the game and eat stadium food, and I am glad I did. What a spectacle! There was a crowd of over 22,000 and they didn't even fill the stadium, but they made up for it in volume. The Broncos were taking on the Parramatta Eels, and the latter proved a very slippery opponent. The local boys made a lot of mistakes, to the groans of many around me, but also to the delight of just as many Eel fans who were seated in the same section. Periodically a small blimp would tour the stadium, and a woman on horseback with a large Broncos flag would gallop along the sidelines to the tune of "Bonanza." At halftime they brought out two teams of little tykes, about five to six years old, who went at a rugy game themselves with boys and girls sharing in the tackling. It was a hoot, but I am sorry to say, especially for Ronald, that the beloved Broncos lost the game 42-22. I believe the maroon warriors were subjected to a severe tongue lashing by their coach from what I read in this morning's paper. Today I am taking an ambitious walking tour that was laid out in one of my guide books, and will stop for a lengthy visit at the Queensland art gallery to see the "Treasures of the Prado" exhibit. This will all be done at an easy pace, allow plenty of time to consume more Coopers and eat meat pies.

Arrival

I landed in Brisbane after a pretty exhausting flight, filled with confusing connections and airport terminals that were neither air conditioned or clean. I think Los Angeles is probably one of the worst places to connect for international flights. Someone ought to point out to them the advantages of having departure and arrival signs at various locations....and the advantages of air conditioning. Once I got on my overseas flight, I was so tired that I settled back into my seat, inflated my little neck pillow, and promptly slept about eight hours. Unfortunately when I woke up I realized I had four hours to go, which was helped somewhat by the service of an excellent breakfast and a selection of movies on the back seat monitor. Brisbane took an hour to reach because customs was very, very slow. To my relief, they did not raise an eyebrow at my confession that I was acting as Ronald's coffee "mule" and waved me through without ceremony (although my luggage was thoroughly sniffed by a very cute little beagle pup. Not the most intimidating of dogs in looks, but I'll wager that nose could beat out many of the larger breeds.) I caught the train into town and at the travel center I upgraded my train tickets to insure I would have a sleeper car for my trips to Sydney and Back, and then hiked the mile or so to my lodgings, a very funky backpacker's hostel called the "Aussie Way." It is right across the street from an army barracks and a male strip club, but I am reasonably sure there is no connection between the two. After a shower and change of clothes I went out for a long walk to explore the city. Brisbane is confusing, but only because I am unfamiliar with the place, and I really enjoyed seeing the City Museum and a downtown casino that is housed in the old treasury building. That is the photo I chose to head this entry with. I took a picture of myself sitting on a park bench, but I look exhausted and fat so I will not post it. I will wait until I am not exhausted (but I will still be fat.)

A New Journey

The day rapidly approaches for my next journey to Oz, and I am quite excited. I have a rather ambitious plan, starting my trip in Brisbane, heading next to Byron Bay, then by train to Sydney, and back again to Brisbane to deliver a paper at a conference and take a plane home. I have contacted all my friends and warned them of my arrival, and they seem to be ready. Australia, here I come!