Posts Tagged new south wales
Cruise ships help add ballast to local economies
Posted by Malcolm in Uncategorized on March 6, 2012
Adam Carey March 6, 2012
- Read later
But the value to Victoria’s economy pales in comparison to Queen Mary 2′s next destination, Sydney. Cruise ship berths at Sydney’s harbour contributed $371 million to New South Wales’ economy last year, according to the report, and that sum is tipped to rise to $1.1 billion by 2019-20.
Queensland’s cruise industry also leaves Victoria’s behind, having added $166 million to the state’s economy last year, which is forecast to rise to $341 million by 2019-20.
David Jones, a spokesman for Carnival, said Victoria benefited less from cruise ship tourism than NSW and Queensland because fewer ships used Melbourne as their home port.
State Tourism Minister Louise Asher said Melbourne had recently lured seven new ships to the Port of Melbourne, bringing the total to 15. ”The value of home-port visits is significantly higher than the estimated $1 million each visiting cruise ship contributes to Melbourne’s economy,” she said.
But the Deloitte report also said the high cost of berthing in Australian ports, among the most expensive in the world, could drive some cruise ships to cheaper harbours in the region.
”High and increasing costs may become a potential barrier to the medium-term growth of the cruise industry in Australia,” the report said. ”Given that higher costs are passed on to passengers as higher prices, to maintain demand at lower prices, operators are likely to allocate ships to a global location where costs are lower, for example the South Pacific or Asia.”
Cruise ships help add ballast to local economies
Sydney, Australia: R & R from Vietnam [Part one of two]
Posted by Malcolm in Uncategorized on February 29, 2012
(From the Book: where the Birds Don’t Sing)
New South Wales–City with the Rainbow Door
Sydney, Australia: R & R
When I arrived in Australia, a country plus a continent in itself, I landed in the city called Sydney, which in its own right is in a section of Australia called New South Wales, in comparison: –it might be considered another state, had it been in the United States. within the city of Sydney I would end up in a hotel in a section of the city called Queensland. And to make my visit a little more geographically complicated, –when I looked from the roof of my hotel you could see the beautiful harbor and a park, I always called it simply, Queen’s Park. there were huge trees, a water front, shrubs, flowers, and a kind serene wonderland. yes, the view was meticulously beautiful.
Girl from the Farm
[Sydney]
It doesn’t seem to matter where you travel, for there is always one thing that stands out among most of the others; –while taking R & R [Rest and Recuperation] in Sydney, for seven days, it was no different [and we'll get to that in a second]. but what made it especially unique, for me anyways, was, it was paid for the US Government, that is, the airfare and my extra seven day leave–and possible the main thing that stood out was the women were much more friendly than the men, or at least to American’s and in particular, GI’s.
Most all of us GI’s in Vietnam got a seven-day to go someplace [such as Hong Kong, Bangkok, Hawaii, or Sydney] even though I had only eight-months to serve, they gave it to me none the less. but back to what I was saying, that you always remember one thing, attached to that female-friendliness was Zolinda a girl I met on a tour. although I had met quite a few females on that seven-day adventure, she would standout among the rest.
To repeat myself, I was on a city tour, it was 7:05 PM, and she had already been on the bus when I arrived, so I sat in the seat in front of her. She quickly gave me a smile, standing up, and asked if she could sit with me. She was as petite and cute as a sparrow.
Soft spoken, slow and witty with chosen words, if not editing herself; her introduction seemed most sensitive, and curious. The bus had to go to several hotels and pick up other people for the city tour, and in so doing, she seemed to do most of the talking, if not asking many questions.
I told her about my hometown, and state, being: St. Paul, Minnesota, and my high school, along with how cold it was back there in Minnesota, implying it was like living in the Arctic, which is not far from the truth; –and how my life had turned when I left San Francisco, and got drafted, and now was stationed in an Ordnance Company in Vietnam.
She explained she was from a small farm outside of Sydney; and, that seemed to consume most of our bus time during the first thirty-minutes of our getting to know one another. actually we were finding out we were both very easy to talk to, which she seemed quite taken by.
We were now sitting, or so it seemed, a little closer together than we were in the beginning, looking out the window as the woman guide pointed out a few things.
Her hair was silky blond, very slim, and a creamy light completion. Her lips were thick and very sexy looking.
I told myself, as I was thinking, remembering what I had said to Rosalie, the Guide, which was, .what’s the use in going on a tour with young girls, when you only got a week in the city. What can you do? She simply laughed and said, Have fun, that’s what you’re here for. but I was now glad I let her persuade me to go, I was having fun. And I liked Zolinda.
As we continued on the tour I maintained my posture, and was kind of showing off my brown leather jacket, with long fringes like Wild Bill Cody, and his Wild West Show -I saw on T.V. I had it especially made for this occasion, or may I say, vacation, plus I’d take it home with me when I left Vietnam, and back home it would cost three times as much as what I had paid for it. I figured it was a good investment. It was tailed made in South Korea for me–, I suppose I showed off to her a little too much, being proud of it, but it was really the only nice thing I had in the world. If she had noticed my little arrogance, she never showed she did, or complained about it.
I commented [soothingly], you are really fresh looking, stunning..
She said with surprise and delight, and a little laughter [contentedly], I’ve never heard anyone say that before, I think that’s good, right? I nodded my head with a smiling-grin, implying yes it was good.
[Puzzled] how come you came on such a tour? I asked her.
[Aghast--but attentively] She said with a little disappointment in her face,
Well, to be honest, this is my first tour, and I had heard many of my senior classmate High School [girls] talking about it, and how polite American GI’s are, and I asked my grandmother, who is ill now, and my father and mother–we all live together you know; anyway, I asked them if I could, and they agreed I could, at least one time. And so here I am. I just wanted to have some fun. And I’m having it now.
The night was not over yet, but I wanted to make a little move so I asked, I’d like to see you tomorrow, if that’s all right with you and your parents.
She smiled saying, I’d like that very much, and I’m not sure who took whose hand, but we ended up holding hands on the bus now.
As we all sat in the bar, the tour folk that is, the girls having coke and other soft drinks, and I with a cold beer, I left the group for a moment to go to the bathroom. As I came back out, having combed my hair, five men came up to me, asked where I was from, I said the states, .why? they seemed to circle me after asking that question.
[Appalled, with a scornfully voice] We don’t like hippie’s here that’s why Said one of the brave; I started to walk away, but they quickly surrounded me, and then I figured here we go. I’ve always been a fighter, sort of a fighter that is, but this was turning out to be a no win battle.
[Talking nervously, yet stern] you all want to fight one man, how about one at a time or you’re only tough with a group backing you up; –I fought bigger guys than you in Vietnam, who’s first?
[Laconically] Wha’dya-sa., said one of the men half drunk, trying to find his self confidence.
[Boldly now, with a rush of a fighting spirit] I said I fought better men than you in Vietnam, who’s first?
You’re a soldier from Vietnam, another asked.
Yes, why? I was now encircled [this was curtains I told myself], and they were too tight against me to do much kicking or punching, there was no real way to fight my way out of this circle of bodies, I would have a hard time moving anything, what I could do is jump down, I mean, stoop low, hit a few groins, knock them balls to Mars, and take a beating, that was the best I expected to do now.
As the men started to look at me, it dawned on them, they had troops over in Vietnam, and so what was their ‘beef’ over me. [It had the hippie look, the long hair].
Let’s see you’re ID, said a man,
[Looking towards the other men] Damn Joe, he is, man o man, I’m sure sorry soldier, I mean real sorry, let’s buy this man a drink on us. And then all of a sudden they were all buying me drinks, patting me on the back, and had everything good to say about me. I shook my head, thinking, what a life, from the frying pan to the snack bar.
Zolinda was looking over by me I had noticed. I think she was scared for me but didn’t know what to do, and now confused about everyone being friendly. As I said my goodbyes to them, telling them I had to join the group, Zolinda, asked [with a voice that seemed to be coming out of a light panic state],
I thought you were in trouble for a moment And she grabbed my hand, and pulled me to the group, Why not stick with us, she added. [It did seem safer.]
The tour and the party was over, the tour guide told the group whoever wanted to stay there at the bar, they could, except the high school kids, and so I left with Zolinda. We talked again on the way back to the hotel, and she assured me we would see each other around 4:00 PM tomorrow, after school. but it wouldn’t work out that way. Her grandmother was ill, and the tour guide got a hold of me and told me she was under obligation to remain home and care for her grandmother. I found out her number and called her and just reassured her I had a good time. She didn’t ask me for my address, and I didn’t offer it. It was a one time meeting, but for some reason she had taken a little of me with her I think, as I most assuredly took a little of her. I guess if things in life do not work out, it is good if one can take the best out of a person, for we often have a long journey ahead, we might be able to use it.
Maybe her parents didn’t want her to get involved with me, she was like a rose ready to blossom, and her hard looking breasts were almost fully developed, along with many other womanly features. She was a prize in a confused world, and I respected her for staying home with her grandmother, if that was truly the case, and if it wasn’t, I still had a grand time.
The Park in Queensland
[Sydney]
Several boats were along the sides of the lagoon—or so it looked kind of like a lagoon, but then maybe it was more of an inlet, –none the less, several small boats were tide nice and neat to the dock area, along with several boats out in the lake type atmosphere of the water. The sky was–was romantically rich with clouds hanging over like white umbrellas, and shades of blue like mirrors reflecting back and forth, one matching the other from the waters to the sky, made for a lit up day: –everything reflected blue [my color].
A huge tree decorated the main area of the park; it was like if Rip-Van-Winkle had been resting there for 20-years, —-it was all so serene; — The sun making its way between the clouds and the blues and the trees; –the warm wind soaping my face. I pulled out my small Polaroid camera and took several pictures, then noticed a woman near by me, she seemed to be interested in me –, she came walking over towards me, about five foot four inches, slim, brown hair, with glasses, her skirt hugged her legs as the wind pushed between them, and her light scarf was loose around her neck; then stepping within a few feet in front of me, she introduced herself, hello, she said softly, an older woman, maybe thirty-five at best,
Hearing my accent, realizing I was an American [after a pause], she become even more interested in me [dropping her guard], and thinking with my long hair I was in Sydney on some kind of business. Evidently, I was learning I did not look like a GI at all.
When I told her I was an American GI from Vietnam, she seemed to have been let-down a bit [became a little stiffly]. I think she was looking for a Berkley graduate, too bad, she was a fine looker, and I just didn’t have the right DNA.
And so I walked around the park, looked at the gulls gliding through the air; moreover, I continued my stroll along the shore line, talking to myself, singing, humming; grabbing the moment, for one must not let themselves down, because the woman will not dance with you. No need to do much else, just go about your business I always say, it was all here, the moment, the camera, the sun the trees the water, it was at best intoxicating; the woman, well, a plus, a conversation. What would I do with her anyway?
Sydney’s Martin Place loses shine as banks move out
Posted by Malcolm in Uncategorized on February 21, 2012
SYDNEY Feb 7 (Reuters) – Sydney’s Martin Place, theepic centre of the central business district and packed withheritage buildings, is losing its financial hub status as majorAustralian banks consolidate offices and relocate to bigger andnewer buildings.
The latest move comes from Commonwealth Bank whichsaid on Tueday that it was planning to sell its office building48 Martin Place, a grand office complex built in the 1920s witha distinctive feature of terracotta and pick granite facade.
“What we are seeing is that Martin Place, which wasoriginally the bastion of Australian banking, is definitelybeing emptied out as its traditional banking occupiers co-locateto bigger facilities,” said Adam Learmonth, director forproperty investment advisory firm Anvil Capital.
“Eventually, the Reserve Bank of Australia will be the onlyreminder that Martin Place was the banking heartland,” he added.
CBA has already moved its staff to Commonwealth Bank Place,which comprises two eight-storey buildings, and Darling Park Onetower on the fringe of the city centre.
“Part of our property strategy for the group for the lasttwo years was to consolidate from 13 buildings down to the twoprecincts we have in Darling Harbour,” said Steve Batten, aspokesman for CBA.
Australia and New Zealand Banking Group hasannounced it will relocate its New South Wales head office fromMartin Place to 163 Castlereagh Street, a new office buildlingbeing developed by Grocon.
Westpac Banking was ahead of the pack, moving toWestpac Place, a 33-storey office tower completed in 2006 andlocated in the northern end of Darling Harbour.
Sydney’s office market has been struggling to fill space,while other resource-driven state capitals have seen occupancyrates improving.
Learmonth said the bank decisions to relocate were madebefore the recent round of financial difficulties, but warnedthat banks now occupy mega buildlings as a sole tenant or majoranchor tenant, making it hard for them to sublease.
“The implication is that, unlike in previous downturns whenbanks reduced their workforce, this time it is going to beharder for the banks to sublease excess space,” he said. (Reporting by Eriko Amaha; Editing by Michael Perry)
Get Sporty in Sydney
Posted by Malcolm in Uncategorized on February 16, 2012
If you’re lucky enough to be booked into a Sydney 5 star hotel, remember that your holiday doesn’t just have to be about unwinding with a cool tequila sunrise on a sun-drenched beach. If you want a true taste of Sydney life, then know that Australians are fanatical about their sports, and Sydney is no different. Sports and keeping fit play an integral part in the city’s cultural community, and for sport lovers – whether you want to take part or just watch – the city is a must. Down Under it’s not just a hobby, it’s a lifestyle
Rugby League
Rugby League is perhaps the most popular sport for Sydney residents. During your stay at a Sydney 5 star hotel, why not pop down to one of the many stadiums and experience a National Rugby League game. the city is home to nine teams – namely the Canterbury Bulldogs, Cronulla Sharks, Manly Sea Eagles, Penrith Panthers, Parramatta Eels, South Sydney Rabbits, St George Illawarra Dragons, Sydney Roosters and Wests Tigers. just choose your allegiance wisely
Cricket
If your sojourn at a Sydney 5 star hotel is during the summer season, then the talk of the city will undoubtedly be all about cricket. Sydney’s home team is the New South Wales Blues, and, in Australia, cricketers are treated with the same reverence as rock stars. You can check out a league or international game at the Sydney Cricket Ground and the ANZ Stadium. If you’re timing is lucky enough, you might even find yourself caught up in the mania of an Ashes series, too.
Surfing
We’ve all seen the adverts – bronzed, golden-haired Aussies frolicking in the waves, riding surfboards and making it all look so effortless and sexy. the Aussies love to surf so why not learn with one of the professionals at Bondi or Manly beaches, and catch some rays and sightings of beach-strolling beauties in the process?
Sydney Hobart Yacht Race
For almost 70 years, this ever-popular race has been a highlight of the Australian summer sporting season. It attracts more media coverage than any other yachting race in the world. Participants sailing all craft from maxi yachts to weekend racers take part in this event, which starts from Nielsen Park, Sydney Harbour, and finishes 628 nautical miles later at the Derwent River in Hobart.
The Cole Classic Swim
Australia has produced a bevy of world-class swimmers, like Ian Thorpe and Grant Hackett. But it’s not just the pros that get obsessive about the sport. Every year thousands dust down their trunks and goggles to take part in Australia’s largest ocean swim. Starting from Manly beach, its path takes swimmers past many a waterfront Sydney 5 star hotel, so you may not even have to leave your veranda for a first-class spectator’s seat.
Sydney, Australia: R & R from Vietnam [Part one of two]
Posted by Malcolm in Uncategorized on February 1, 2012
(From the Book: Where the Birds Don’t Sing)
New South Wales–City with the Rainbow Door
Sydney, Australia: R & R
When I arrived in Australia, a country plus a continent in itself, I landed in the city called Sydney, which in its own right is in a section of Australia called new South Wales, in comparison: –it might be considered another state, had it been in the United States. within the city of Sydney I would end up in a hotel in a section of the city called Queensland. And to make my visit a little more geographically complicated, –when I looked from the roof of my hotel you could see the beautiful harbor and a park, I always called it simply, Queen’s Park. there were huge trees, a water front, shrubs, flowers, and a kind serene wonderland. Yes, the view was meticulously beautiful.
Girl from the Farm
[Sydney]
It doesn’t seem to matter where you travel, for there is always one thing that stands out among most of the others; –while taking R & R [Rest and Recuperation] in Sydney, for seven days, it was no different [and we'll get to that in a second]. But what made it especially unique, for me anyways, was, it was paid for the US Government, that is, the airfare and my extra seven day leave–and possible the main thing that stood out was the women were much more friendly than the men, or at least to American’s and in particular, GI’s.
Most all of us GI’s in Vietnam got a seven-day to go someplace [such as Hong Kong, Bangkok, Hawaii, or Sydney] even though I had only eight-months to serve, they gave it to me none the less. But back to what I was saying, that you always remember one thing, attached to that female-friendliness was Zolinda a girl I met on a tour. although I had met quite a few females on that seven-day adventure, she would standout among the rest.
To repeat myself, I was on a city tour, it was 7:05 PM, and she had already been on the bus when I arrived, so I sat in the seat in front of her. she quickly gave me a smile, standing up, and asked if she could sit with me. she was as petite and cute as a sparrow.
Soft spoken, slow and witty with chosen words, if not editing herself; her introduction seemed most sensitive, and curious. The bus had to go to several hotels and pick up other people for the city tour, and in so doing, she seemed to do most of the talking, if not asking many questions.
I told her about my hometown, and state, being: St. Paul, Minnesota, and my high school, along with how cold it was back there in Minnesota, implying it was like living in the Arctic, which is not far from the truth; –and how my life had turned when I left San Francisco, and got drafted, and now was stationed in an Ordnance Company in Vietnam.
She explained she was from a small farm outside of Sydney; and, that seemed to consume most of our bus time during the first thirty-minutes of our getting to know one another. actually we were finding out we were both very easy to talk to, which she seemed quite taken by.
We were now sitting, or so it seemed, a little closer together than we were in the beginning, looking out the window as the woman guide pointed out a few things.
Her hair was silky blond, very slim, and a creamy light completion. Her lips were thick and very sexy looking.
I told myself, as I was thinking, remembering what I had said to Rosalie, the Guide, which was, .what’s the use in going on a tour with young girls, when you only got a week in the city. What can you do? she simply laughed and said, have fun, that’s what you’re here for. But I was now glad I let her persuade me to go, I was having fun. And I liked Zolinda.
As we continued on the tour I maintained my posture, and was kind of showing off my brown leather jacket, with long fringes like Wild Bill Cody, and his Wild West show -I saw on T.V. I had it especially made for this occasion, or may I say, vacation, plus I’d take it home with me when I left Vietnam, and back home it would cost three times as much as what I had paid for it. I figured it was a good investment. it was tailed made in South Korea for me–, I suppose I showed off to her a little too much, being proud of it, but it was really the only nice thing I had in the world. if she had noticed my little arrogance, she never showed she did, or complained about it.
I commented [soothingly], you are really fresh looking, stunning..
She said with surprise and delight, and a little laughter [contentedly], I’ve never heard anyone say that before, I think that’s good, right? I nodded my head with a smiling-grin, implying yes it was good.
[Puzzled] How come you came on such a tour? I asked her.
[Aghast--but attentively] she said with a little disappointment in her face,
Well, to be honest, this is my first tour, and I had heard many of my senior classmate High School [girls] talking about it, and how polite American GI’s are, and I asked my grandmother, who is ill now, and my father and mother–we all live together you know; anyway, I asked them if I could, and they agreed I could, at least one time. And so here I am. I just wanted to have some fun. And I’m having it now.
The night was not over yet, but I wanted to make a little move so I asked, I’d like to see you tomorrow, if that’s all right with you and your parents.
She smiled saying, I’d like that very much, and I’m not sure who took whose hand, but we ended up holding hands on the bus now.
As we all sat in the bar, the tour folk that is, the girls having coke and other soft drinks, and I with a cold beer, I left the group for a moment to go to the bathroom. As I came back out, having combed my hair, five men came up to me, asked where I was from, I said the states, .why? they seemed to circle me after asking that question.
[Appalled, with a scornfully voice] We don’t like hippie’s here that’s why said one of the brave; I started to walk away, but they quickly surrounded me, and then I figured here we go. I’ve always been a fighter, sort of a fighter that is, but this was turning out to be a no win battle.
[Talking nervously, yet stern] you all want to fight one man, how about one at a time or you’re only tough with a group backing you up; –I fought bigger guys than you in Vietnam, who’s first?
[Laconically] Wha’dya-sa., said one of the men half drunk, trying to find his self confidence.
[Boldly now, with a rush of a fighting spirit] I said I fought better men than you in Vietnam, who’s first?
You’re a soldier from Vietnam, another asked.
Yes, why? I was now encircled [this was curtains I told myself], and they were too tight against me to do much kicking or punching, there was no real way to fight my way out of this circle of bodies, I would have a hard time moving anything, what I could do is jump down, I mean, stoop low, hit a few groins, knock them balls to Mars, and take a beating, that was the best I expected to do now.
As the men started to look at me, it dawned on them, they had troops over in Vietnam, and so what was their ‘beef’ over me. [It had the hippie look, the long hair].
Let’s see you’re ID, said a man,
And I pulled it out,
[Looking towards the other men] Damn Joe, he is, man o man, I’m sure sorry soldier, I mean real sorry, let’s buy this man a drink on us. And then all of a sudden they were all buying me drinks, patting me on the back, and had everything good to say about me. I shook my head, thinking, what a life, from the frying pan to the snack bar.
Zolinda was looking over by me I had noticed. I think she was scared for me but didn’t know what to do, and now confused about everyone being friendly. As I said my goodbyes to them, telling them I had to join the group, Zolinda, asked [with a voice that seemed to be coming out of a light panic state],
I thought you were in trouble for a moment And she grabbed my hand, and pulled me to the group, why not stick with us, she added. [It did seem safer.]
The tour and the party was over, the tour guide told the group whoever wanted to stay there at the bar, they could, except the high school kids, and so I left with Zolinda. We talked again on the way back to the hotel, and she assured me we would see each other around 4:00 PM tomorrow, after school. But it wouldn’t work out that way. Her grandmother was ill, and the tour guide got a hold of me and told me she was under obligation to remain home and care for her grandmother. I found out her number and called her and just reassured her I had a good time. she didn’t ask me for my address, and I didn’t offer it. it was a one time meeting, but for some reason she had taken a little of me with her I think, as I most assuredly took a little of her. I guess if things in life do not work out, it is good if one can take the best out of a person, for we often have a long journey ahead, we might be able to use it.
Maybe her parents didn’t want her to get involved with me, she was like a rose ready to blossom, and her hard looking breasts were almost fully developed, along with many other womanly features. she was a prize in a confused world, and I respected her for staying home with her grandmother, if that was truly the case, and if it wasn’t, I still had a grand time.
The Park in Queensland
[Sydney]
Several boats were along the sides of the lagoon—or so it looked kind of like a lagoon, but then maybe it was more of an inlet, –none the less, several small boats were tide nice and neat to the dock area, along with several boats out in the lake type atmosphere of the water. The sky was–was romantically rich with clouds hanging over like white umbrellas, and shades of blue like mirrors reflecting back and forth, one matching the other from the waters to the sky, made for a lit up day: –everything reflected blue [my color].
A huge tree decorated the main area of the park; it was like if Rip-Van-Winkle had been resting there for 20-years, —-it was all so serene; — The sun making its way between the clouds and the blues and the trees; –the warm wind soaping my face. I pulled out my small Polaroid camera and took several pictures, then noticed a woman near by me, she seemed to be interested in me –, she came walking over towards me, about five foot four inches, slim, brown hair, with glasses, her skirt hugged her legs as the wind pushed between them, and her light scarf was loose around her neck; then stepping within a few feet in front of me, she introduced herself, Hello, she said softly, an older woman, maybe thirty-five at best,
Hearing my accent, realizing I was an American [after a pause], she become even more interested in me [dropping her guard], and thinking with my long hair I was in Sydney on some kind of business. Evidently, I was learning I did not look like a GI at all.
When I told her I was an American GI from Vietnam, she seemed to have been let-down a bit [became a little stiffly]. I think she was looking for a Berkley graduate, too bad, she was a fine looker, and I just didn’t have the right DNA.
And so I walked around the park, looked at the gulls gliding through the air; moreover, I continued my stroll along the shore line, talking to myself, singing, humming; grabbing the moment, for one must not let themselves down, because the woman will not dance with you. No need to do much else, just go about your business I always say, it was all here, the moment, the camera, the sun the trees the water, it was at best intoxicating; the woman, well, a plus, a conversation. What would I do with her anyway?
Sydney, Australia: R & R from Vietnam [Part one of two]
Posted by Malcolm in Uncategorized on January 27, 2012
(From the Book: Where the Birds Don’t Sing)
New South Wales–City with the Rainbow Door
Sydney, Australia: R & R
When I arrived in Australia, a country plus a continent in itself, I landed in the city called Sydney, which in its own right is in a section of Australia called new South Wales, in comparison: –it might be considered another state, had it been in the United States. Within the city of Sydney I would end up in a hotel in a section of the city called Queensland. And to make my visit a little more geographically complicated, –when I looked from the roof of my hotel you could see the beautiful harbor and a park, I always called it simply, Queen’s Park. There were huge trees, a water front, shrubs, flowers, and a kind serene wonderland. yes, the view was meticulously beautiful.
Girl from the Farm
[Sydney]
It doesn’t seem to matter where you travel, for there is always one thing that stands out among most of the others; –while taking R & R [Rest and Recuperation] in Sydney, for seven days, it was no different [and we'll get to that in a second]. But what made it especially unique, for me anyways, was, it was paid for the US Government, that is, the airfare and my extra seven day leave–and possible the main thing that stood out was the women were much more friendly than the men, or at least to American’s and in particular, GI’s.
Most all of us GI’s in Vietnam got a seven-day to go someplace [such as Hong Kong, Bangkok, Hawaii, or Sydney] even though I had only eight-months to serve, they gave it to me none the less. But back to what I was saying, that you always remember one thing, attached to that female-friendliness was Zolinda a girl I met on a tour. although I had met quite a few females on that seven-day adventure, she would standout among the rest.
To repeat myself, I was on a city tour, it was 7:05 PM, and she had already been on the bus when I arrived, so I sat in the seat in front of her. She quickly gave me a smile, standing up, and asked if she could sit with me. She was as petite and cute as a sparrow.
Soft spoken, slow and witty with chosen words, if not editing herself; her introduction seemed most sensitive, and curious. the bus had to go to several hotels and pick up other people for the city tour, and in so doing, she seemed to do most of the talking, if not asking many questions.
I told her about my hometown, and state, being: St. Paul, Minnesota, and my high school, along with how cold it was back there in Minnesota, implying it was like living in the Arctic, which is not far from the truth; –and how my life had turned when I left San Francisco, and got drafted, and now was stationed in an Ordnance Company in Vietnam.
She explained she was from a small farm outside of Sydney; and, that seemed to consume most of our bus time during the first thirty-minutes of our getting to know one another. Actually we were finding out we were both very easy to talk to, which she seemed quite taken by.
We were now sitting, or so it seemed, a little closer together than we were in the beginning, looking out the window as the woman guide pointed out a few things.
Her hair was silky blond, very slim, and a creamy light completion. Her lips were thick and very sexy looking.
I told myself, as I was thinking, remembering what I had said to Rosalie, the Guide, which was, .what’s the use in going on a tour with young girls, when you only got a week in the city. what can you do? She simply laughed and said, have fun, that’s what you’re here for. But I was now glad I let her persuade me to go, I was having fun. And I liked Zolinda.
As we continued on the tour I maintained my posture, and was kind of showing off my brown leather jacket, with long fringes like Wild Bill Cody, and his Wild West show -I saw on T.V. I had it especially made for this occasion, or may I say, vacation, plus I’d take it home with me when I left Vietnam, and back home it would cost three times as much as what I had paid for it. I figured it was a good investment. It was tailed made in South Korea for me–, I suppose I showed off to her a little too much, being proud of it, but it was really the only nice thing I had in the world. If she had noticed my little arrogance, she never showed she did, or complained about it.
I commented [soothingly], You are really fresh looking, stunning..
She said with surprise and delight, and a little laughter [contentedly], I’ve never heard anyone say that before, I think that’s good, right? I nodded my head with a smiling-grin, implying yes it was good.
[Puzzled] How come you came on such a tour? I asked her.
[Aghast--but attentively] She said with a little disappointment in her face,
Well, to be honest, this is my first tour, and I had heard many of my senior classmate High School [girls] talking about it, and how polite American GI’s are, and I asked my grandmother, who is ill now, and my father and mother–we all live together you know; anyway, I asked them if I could, and they agreed I could, at least one time. And so here I am. I just wanted to have some fun. And I’m having it now.
The night was not over yet, but I wanted to make a little move so I asked, I’d like to see you tomorrow, if that’s all right with you and your parents.
She smiled saying, I’d like that very much, and I’m not sure who took whose hand, but we ended up holding hands on the bus now.
The Bar – the Hippie
As we all sat in the bar, the tour folk that is, the girls having coke and other soft drinks, and I with a cold beer, I left the group for a moment to go to the bathroom. As I came back out, having combed my hair, five men came up to me, asked where I was from, I said the states, .why? they seemed to circle me after asking that question.
[Appalled, with a scornfully voice] We don’t like hippie’s here that’s why said one of the brave; I started to walk away, but they quickly surrounded me, and then I figured here we go. I’ve always been a fighter, sort of a fighter that is, but this was turning out to be a no win battle.
[Talking nervously, yet stern] You all want to fight one man, how about one at a time or you’re only tough with a group backing you up; –I fought bigger guys than you in Vietnam, who’s first?
[Laconically] Wha’dya-sa., said one of the men half drunk, trying to find his self confidence.
[Boldly now, with a rush of a fighting spirit] I said I fought better men than you in Vietnam, who’s first?
You’re a soldier from Vietnam, another asked.
Yes, why? I was now encircled [this was curtains I told myself], and they were too tight against me to do much kicking or punching, there was no real way to fight my way out of this circle of bodies, I would have a hard time moving anything, what I could do is jump down, I mean, stoop low, hit a few groins, knock them balls to Mars, and take a beating, that was the best I expected to do now.
As the men started to look at me, it dawned on them, they had troops over in Vietnam, and so what was their ‘beef’ over me. [It had the hippie look, the long hair].
Let’s see you’re ID, said a man,
[Looking towards the other men] Damn Joe, he is, man o man, I’m sure sorry soldier, I mean real sorry, let’s buy this man a drink on us. And then all of a sudden they were all buying me drinks, patting me on the back, and had everything good to say about me. I shook my head, thinking, what a life, from the frying pan to the snack bar.
Zolinda was looking over by me I had noticed. I think she was scared for me but didn’t know what to do, and now confused about everyone being friendly. As I said my goodbyes to them, telling them I had to join the group, Zolinda, asked [with a voice that seemed to be coming out of a light panic state],
I thought you were in trouble for a moment And she grabbed my hand, and pulled me to the group, why not stick with us, she added. [It did seem safer.]
The tour and the party was over, the tour guide told the group whoever wanted to stay there at the bar, they could, except the high school kids, and so I left with Zolinda. We talked again on the way back to the hotel, and she assured me we would see each other around 4:00 PM tomorrow, after school. But it wouldn’t work out that way. Her grandmother was ill, and the tour guide got a hold of me and told me she was under obligation to remain home and care for her grandmother. I found out her number and called her and just reassured her I had a good time. She didn’t ask me for my address, and I didn’t offer it. It was a one time meeting, but for some reason she had taken a little of me with her I think, as I most assuredly took a little of her. I guess if things in life do not work out, it is good if one can take the best out of a person, for we often have a long journey ahead, we might be able to use it.
Maybe her parents didn’t want her to get involved with me, she was like a rose ready to blossom, and her hard looking breasts were almost fully developed, along with many other womanly features. She was a prize in a confused world, and I respected her for staying home with her grandmother, if that was truly the case, and if it wasn’t, I still had a grand time.
The Park in Queensland
[Sydney]
Several boats were along the sides of the lagoon—or so it looked kind of like a lagoon, but then maybe it was more of an inlet, –none the less, several small boats were tide nice and neat to the dock area, along with several boats out in the lake type atmosphere of the water. the sky was–was romantically rich with clouds hanging over like white umbrellas, and shades of blue like mirrors reflecting back and forth, one matching the other from the waters to the sky, made for a lit up day: –everything reflected blue [my color].
A huge tree decorated the main area of the park; it was like if Rip-Van-Winkle had been resting there for 20-years, —-it was all so serene; — the sun making its way between the clouds and the blues and the trees; –the warm wind soaping my face. I pulled out my small Polaroid camera and took several pictures, then noticed a woman near by me, she seemed to be interested in me –, she came walking over towards me, about five foot four inches, slim, brown hair, with glasses, her skirt hugged her legs as the wind pushed between them, and her light scarf was loose around her neck; then stepping within a few feet in front of me, she introduced herself, Hello, she said softly, an older woman, maybe thirty-five at best,
Hearing my accent, realizing I was an American [after a pause], she become even more interested in me [dropping her guard], and thinking with my long hair I was in Sydney on some kind of business. Evidently, I was learning I did not look like a GI at all.
When I told her I was an American GI from Vietnam, she seemed to have been let-down a bit [became a little stiffly]. I think she was looking for a Berkley graduate, too bad, she was a fine looker, and I just didn’t have the right DNA.
And so I walked around the park, looked at the gulls gliding through the air; moreover, I continued my stroll along the shore line, talking to myself, singing, humming; grabbing the moment, for one must not let themselves down, because the woman will not dance with you. no need to do much else, just go about your business I always say, it was all here, the moment, the camera, the sun the trees the water, it was at best intoxicating; the woman, well, a plus, a conversation. what would I do with her anyway?
Sydney, Australia: R & R from Vietnam [Part one of two]
Posted by Malcolm in Uncategorized on January 25, 2012
(From the Book: Where the Birds Don’t Sing)
New South Wales–City with the Rainbow Door
Sydney, Australia: R & R
When I arrived in Australia, a country plus a continent in itself, I landed in the city called Sydney, which in its own right is in a section of Australia called New South Wales, in comparison: –it might be considered another state, had it been in the United States. Within the city of Sydney I would end up in a hotel in a section of the city called Queensland. and to make my visit a little more geographically complicated, –when I looked from the roof of my hotel you could see the beautiful harbor and a park, I always called it simply, Queen’s Park. There were huge trees, a water front, shrubs, flowers, and a kind serene wonderland. yes, the view was meticulously beautiful.
Girl from the Farm
[Sydney]
It doesn’t seem to matter where you travel, for there is always one thing that stands out among most of the others; –while taking R & R [Rest and Recuperation] in Sydney, for seven days, it was no different [and we'll get to that in a second]. but what made it especially unique, for me anyways, was, it was paid for the US Government, that is, the airfare and my extra seven day leave–and possible the main thing that stood out was the women were much more friendly than the men, or at least to American’s and in particular, GI’s.
Most all of us GI’s in Vietnam got a seven-day to go someplace [such as Hong Kong, Bangkok, Hawaii, or Sydney] even though I had only eight-months to serve, they gave it to me none the less. but back to what I was saying, that you always remember one thing, attached to that female-friendliness was Zolinda a girl I met on a tour. although I had met quite a few females on that seven-day adventure, she would standout among the rest.
To repeat myself, I was on a city tour, it was 7:05 PM, and she had already been on the bus when I arrived, so I sat in the seat in front of her. She quickly gave me a smile, standing up, and asked if she could sit with me. She was as petite and cute as a sparrow.
Soft spoken, slow and witty with chosen words, if not editing herself; her introduction seemed most sensitive, and curious. The bus had to go to several hotels and pick up other people for the city tour, and in so doing, she seemed to do most of the talking, if not asking many questions.
I told her about my hometown, and state, being: St. Paul, Minnesota, and my high school, along with how cold it was back there in Minnesota, implying it was like living in the Arctic, which is not far from the truth; –and how my life had turned when I left San Francisco, and got drafted, and now was stationed in an Ordnance Company in Vietnam.
She explained she was from a small farm outside of Sydney; and, that seemed to consume most of our bus time during the first thirty-minutes of our getting to know one another. actually we were finding out we were both very easy to talk to, which she seemed quite taken by.
We were now sitting, or so it seemed, a little closer together than we were in the beginning, looking out the window as the woman guide pointed out a few things.
Her hair was silky blond, very slim, and a creamy light completion. Her lips were thick and very sexy looking.
I told myself, as I was thinking, remembering what I had said to Rosalie, the Guide, which was, .what’s the use in going on a tour with young girls, when you only got a week in the city. what can you do? She simply laughed and said, Have fun, that’s what you’re here for. but I was now glad I let her persuade me to go, I was having fun. and I liked Zolinda.
As we continued on the tour I maintained my posture, and was kind of showing off my brown leather jacket, with long fringes like Wild bill Cody, and his Wild West show -I saw on T.V. I had it especially made for this occasion, or may I say, vacation, plus I’d take it home with me when I left Vietnam, and back home it would cost three times as much as what I had paid for it. I figured it was a good investment. it was tailed made in South Korea for me–, I suppose I showed off to her a little too much, being proud of it, but it was really the only nice thing I had in the world. If she had noticed my little arrogance, she never showed she did, or complained about it.
I commented [soothingly], You are really fresh looking, stunning..
She said with surprise and delight, and a little laughter [contentedly], I’ve never heard anyone say that before, I think that’s good, right? I nodded my head with a smiling-grin, implying yes it was good.
[Puzzled] How come you came on such a tour? I asked her.
[Aghast--but attentively] She said with a little disappointment in her face,
Well, to be honest, this is my first tour, and I had heard many of my senior classmate High School [girls] talking about it, and how polite American GI’s are, and I asked my grandmother, who is ill now, and my father and mother–we all live together you know; anyway, I asked them if I could, and they agreed I could, at least one time. and so here I am. I just wanted to have some fun. and I’m having it now.
The night was not over yet, but I wanted to make a little move so I asked, I’d like to see you tomorrow, if that’s all right with you and your parents.
She smiled saying, I’d like that very much, and I’m not sure who took whose hand, but we ended up holding hands on the bus now.
As we all sat in the bar, the tour folk that is, the girls having coke and other soft drinks, and I with a cold beer, I left the group for a moment to go to the bathroom. As I came back out, having combed my hair, five men came up to me, asked where I was from, I said the states, .why? they seemed to circle me after asking that question.
[Appalled, with a scornfully voice] we don’t like hippie’s here that’s why said one of the brave; I started to walk away, but they quickly surrounded me, and then I figured here we go. I’ve always been a fighter, sort of a fighter that is, but this was turning out to be a no win battle.
[Talking nervously, yet stern] You all want to fight one man, how about one at a time or you’re only tough with a group backing you up; –I fought bigger guys than you in Vietnam, who’s first?
[Laconically] Wha’dya-sa., said one of the men half drunk, trying to find his self confidence.
[Boldly now, with a rush of a fighting spirit] I said I fought better men than you in Vietnam, who’s first?
You’re a soldier from Vietnam, another asked.
Yes, why? I was now encircled [this was curtains I told myself], and they were too tight against me to do much kicking or punching, there was no real way to fight my way out of this circle of bodies, I would have a hard time moving anything, what I could do is jump down, I mean, stoop low, hit a few groins, knock them balls to Mars, and take a beating, that was the best I expected to do now.
As the men started to look at me, it dawned on them, they had troops over in Vietnam, and so what was their ‘beef’ over me. [It had the hippie look, the long hair].
Let’s see you’re ID, said a man,
And I pulled it out,
[Looking towards the other men] Damn Joe, he is, man o man, I’m sure sorry soldier, I mean real sorry, let’s buy this man a drink on us. and then all of a sudden they were all buying me drinks, patting me on the back, and had everything good to say about me. I shook my head, thinking, what a life, from the frying pan to the snack bar.
Zolinda was looking over by me I had noticed. I think she was scared for me but didn’t know what to do, and now confused about everyone being friendly. As I said my goodbyes to them, telling them I had to join the group, Zolinda, asked [with a voice that seemed to be coming out of a light panic state],
I thought you were in trouble for a moment and she grabbed my hand, and pulled me to the group, why not stick with us, she added. [It did seem safer.]
The tour and the party was over, the tour guide told the group whoever wanted to stay there at the bar, they could, except the high school kids, and so I left with Zolinda. we talked again on the way back to the hotel, and she assured me we would see each other around 4:00 PM tomorrow, after school. but it wouldn’t work out that way. Her grandmother was ill, and the tour guide got a hold of me and told me she was under obligation to remain home and care for her grandmother. I found out her number and called her and just reassured her I had a good time. She didn’t ask me for my address, and I didn’t offer it. it was a one time meeting, but for some reason she had taken a little of me with her I think, as I most assuredly took a little of her. I guess if things in life do not work out, it is good if one can take the best out of a person, for we often have a long journey ahead, we might be able to use it.
Maybe her parents didn’t want her to get involved with me, she was like a rose ready to blossom, and her hard looking breasts were almost fully developed, along with many other womanly features. She was a prize in a confused world, and I respected her for staying home with her grandmother, if that was truly the case, and if it wasn’t, I still had a grand time.
The Park in Queensland
[Sydney]
Several boats were along the sides of the lagoon—or so it looked kind of like a lagoon, but then maybe it was more of an inlet, –none the less, several small boats were tide nice and neat to the dock area, along with several boats out in the lake type atmosphere of the water. The sky was–was romantically rich with clouds hanging over like white umbrellas, and shades of blue like mirrors reflecting back and forth, one matching the other from the waters to the sky, made for a lit up day: –everything reflected blue [my color].
A huge tree decorated the main area of the park; it was like if Rip-Van-Winkle had been resting there for 20-years, —-it was all so serene; — The sun making its way between the clouds and the blues and the trees; –the warm wind soaping my face. I pulled out my small Polaroid camera and took several pictures, then noticed a woman near by me, she seemed to be interested in me –, she came walking over towards me, about five foot four inches, slim, brown hair, with glasses, her skirt hugged her legs as the wind pushed between them, and her light scarf was loose around her neck; then stepping within a few feet in front of me, she introduced herself, hello, she said softly, an older woman, maybe thirty-five at best,
Hearing my accent, realizing I was an American [after a pause], she become even more interested in me [dropping her guard], and thinking with my long hair I was in Sydney on some kind of business. Evidently, I was learning I did not look like a GI at all.
When I told her I was an American GI from Vietnam, she seemed to have been let-down a bit [became a little stiffly]. I think she was looking for a Berkley graduate, too bad, she was a fine looker, and I just didn’t have the right DNA.
And so I walked around the park, looked at the gulls gliding through the air; moreover, I continued my stroll along the shore line, talking to myself, singing, humming; grabbing the moment, for one must not let themselves down, because the woman will not dance with you. No need to do much else, just go about your business I always say, it was all here, the moment, the camera, the sun the trees the water, it was at best intoxicating; the woman, well, a plus, a conversation. what would I do with her anyway?
Sydney, Australia: R & R from Vietnam [Part one of two]
Posted by Malcolm in Uncategorized on January 21, 2012
(From the Book: Where the Birds Don’t Sing)
New South Wales–City with the Rainbow Door
Sydney, Australia: R & R
When I arrived in Australia, a country plus a continent in itself, I landed in the city called Sydney, which in its own right is in a section of Australia called New South Wales, in comparison: –it might be considered another state, had it been in the United States. Within the city of Sydney I would end up in a hotel in a section of the city called Queensland. And to make my visit a little more geographically complicated, –when I looked from the roof of my hotel you could see the beautiful harbor and a park, I always called it simply, Queen’s Park. there were huge trees, a water front, shrubs, flowers, and a kind serene wonderland. yes, the view was meticulously beautiful.
Girl from the Farm
[Sydney]
It doesn’t seem to matter where you travel, for there is always one thing that stands out among most of the others; –while taking R & R [Rest and Recuperation] in Sydney, for seven days, it was no different [and we'll get to that in a second]. But what made it especially unique, for me anyways, was, it was paid for the US Government, that is, the airfare and my extra seven day leave–and possible the main thing that stood out was the women were much more friendly than the men, or at least to American’s and in particular, GI’s.
Most all of us GI’s in Vietnam got a seven-day to go someplace [such as Hong Kong, Bangkok, Hawaii, or Sydney] even though I had only eight-months to serve, they gave it to me none the less. But back to what I was saying, that you always remember one thing, attached to that female-friendliness was Zolinda a girl I met on a tour. Although I had met quite a few females on that seven-day adventure, she would standout among the rest.
To repeat myself, I was on a city tour, it was 7:05 PM, and she had already been on the bus when I arrived, so I sat in the seat in front of her. She quickly gave me a smile, standing up, and asked if she could sit with me. She was as petite and cute as a sparrow.
Soft spoken, slow and witty with chosen words, if not editing herself; her introduction seemed most sensitive, and curious. the bus had to go to several hotels and pick up other people for the city tour, and in so doing, she seemed to do most of the talking, if not asking many questions.
I told her about my hometown, and state, being: St. Paul, Minnesota, and my high school, along with how cold it was back there in Minnesota, implying it was like living in the Arctic, which is not far from the truth; –and how my life had turned when I left San Francisco, and got drafted, and now was stationed in an Ordnance Company in Vietnam.
She explained she was from a small farm outside of Sydney; and, that seemed to consume most of our bus time during the first thirty-minutes of our getting to know one another. Actually we were finding out we were both very easy to talk to, which she seemed quite taken by.
We were now sitting, or so it seemed, a little closer together than we were in the beginning, looking out the window as the woman guide pointed out a few things.
Her hair was silky blond, very slim, and a creamy light completion. her lips were thick and very sexy looking.
I told myself, as I was thinking, remembering what I had said to Rosalie, the Guide, which was, .what’s the use in going on a tour with young girls, when you only got a week in the city. What can you do? She simply laughed and said, have fun, that’s what you’re here for. But I was now glad I let her persuade me to go, I was having fun. And I liked Zolinda.
As we continued on the tour I maintained my posture, and was kind of showing off my brown leather jacket, with long fringes like Wild bill Cody, and his Wild West show -I saw on T.V. I had it especially made for this occasion, or may I say, vacation, plus I’d take it home with me when I left Vietnam, and back home it would cost three times as much as what I had paid for it. I figured it was a good investment. it was tailed made in South Korea for me–, I suppose I showed off to her a little too much, being proud of it, but it was really the only nice thing I had in the world. if she had noticed my little arrogance, she never showed she did, or complained about it.
I commented [soothingly], You are really fresh looking, stunning..
She said with surprise and delight, and a little laughter [contentedly], I’ve never heard anyone say that before, I think that’s good, right? I nodded my head with a smiling-grin, implying yes it was good.
[Puzzled] how come you came on such a tour? I asked her.
[Aghast--but attentively] She said with a little disappointment in her face,
Well, to be honest, this is my first tour, and I had heard many of my senior classmate High School [girls] talking about it, and how polite American GI’s are, and I asked my grandmother, who is ill now, and my father and mother–we all live together you know; anyway, I asked them if I could, and they agreed I could, at least one time. And so here I am. I just wanted to have some fun. And I’m having it now.
The night was not over yet, but I wanted to make a little move so I asked, I’d like to see you tomorrow, if that’s all right with you and your parents.
She smiled saying, I’d like that very much, and I’m not sure who took whose hand, but we ended up holding hands on the bus now.
The Bar – the Hippie
As we all sat in the bar, the tour folk that is, the girls having coke and other soft drinks, and I with a cold beer, I left the group for a moment to go to the bathroom. As I came back out, having combed my hair, five men came up to me, asked where I was from, I said the states, .why? they seemed to circle me after asking that question.
[Appalled, with a scornfully voice] we don’t like hippie’s here that’s why Said one of the brave; I started to walk away, but they quickly surrounded me, and then I figured here we go. I’ve always been a fighter, sort of a fighter that is, but this was turning out to be a no win battle.
[Talking nervously, yet stern] You all want to fight one man, how about one at a time or you’re only tough with a group backing you up; –I fought bigger guys than you in Vietnam, who’s first?
[Laconically] Wha’dya-sa., said one of the men half drunk, trying to find his self confidence.
[Boldly now, with a rush of a fighting spirit] I said I fought better men than you in Vietnam, who’s first?
You’re a soldier from Vietnam, another asked.
Yes, why? I was now encircled [this was curtains I told myself], and they were too tight against me to do much kicking or punching, there was no real way to fight my way out of this circle of bodies, I would have a hard time moving anything, what I could do is jump down, I mean, stoop low, hit a few groins, knock them balls to Mars, and take a beating, that was the best I expected to do now.
As the men started to look at me, it dawned on them, they had troops over in Vietnam, and so what was their ‘beef’ over me. [It had the hippie look, the long hair].
Let’s see you’re ID, said a man,
And I pulled it out,
[Looking towards the other men] Damn Joe, he is, man o man, I’m sure sorry soldier, I mean real sorry, let’s buy this man a drink on us. And then all of a sudden they were all buying me drinks, patting me on the back, and had everything good to say about me. I shook my head, thinking, what a life, from the frying pan to the snack bar.
Zolinda was looking over by me I had noticed. I think she was scared for me but didn’t know what to do, and now confused about everyone being friendly. As I said my goodbyes to them, telling them I had to join the group, Zolinda, asked [with a voice that seemed to be coming out of a light panic state],
I thought you were in trouble for a moment And she grabbed my hand, and pulled me to the group, Why not stick with us, she added. [It did seem safer.]
The tour and the party was over, the tour guide told the group whoever wanted to stay there at the bar, they could, except the high school kids, and so I left with Zolinda. we talked again on the way back to the hotel, and she assured me we would see each other around 4:00 PM tomorrow, after school. But it wouldn’t work out that way. her grandmother was ill, and the tour guide got a hold of me and told me she was under obligation to remain home and care for her grandmother. I found out her number and called her and just reassured her I had a good time. She didn’t ask me for my address, and I didn’t offer it. it was a one time meeting, but for some reason she had taken a little of me with her I think, as I most assuredly took a little of her. I guess if things in life do not work out, it is good if one can take the best out of a person, for we often have a long journey ahead, we might be able to use it.
Maybe her parents didn’t want her to get involved with me, she was like a rose ready to blossom, and her hard looking breasts were almost fully developed, along with many other womanly features. She was a prize in a confused world, and I respected her for staying home with her grandmother, if that was truly the case, and if it wasn’t, I still had a grand time.
The Park in Queensland
[Sydney]
Several boats were along the sides of the lagoon—or so it looked kind of like a lagoon, but then maybe it was more of an inlet, –none the less, several small boats were tide nice and neat to the dock area, along with several boats out in the lake type atmosphere of the water. the sky was–was romantically rich with clouds hanging over like white umbrellas, and shades of blue like mirrors reflecting back and forth, one matching the other from the waters to the sky, made for a lit up day: –everything reflected blue [my color].
A huge tree decorated the main area of the park; it was like if Rip-Van-Winkle had been resting there for 20-years, —-it was all so serene; — the sun making its way between the clouds and the blues and the trees; –the warm wind soaping my face. I pulled out my small Polaroid camera and took several pictures, then noticed a woman near by me, she seemed to be interested in me –, she came walking over towards me, about five foot four inches, slim, brown hair, with glasses, her skirt hugged her legs as the wind pushed between them, and her light scarf was loose around her neck; then stepping within a few feet in front of me, she introduced herself, Hello, she said softly, an older woman, maybe thirty-five at best,
Hearing my accent, realizing I was an American [after a pause], she become even more interested in me [dropping her guard], and thinking with my long hair I was in Sydney on some kind of business. Evidently, I was learning I did not look like a GI at all.
When I told her I was an American GI from Vietnam, she seemed to have been let-down a bit [became a little stiffly]. I think she was looking for a Berkley graduate, too bad, she was a fine looker, and I just didn’t have the right DNA.
And so I walked around the park, looked at the gulls gliding through the air; moreover, I continued my stroll along the shore line, talking to myself, singing, humming; grabbing the moment, for one must not let themselves down, because the woman will not dance with you. No need to do much else, just go about your business I always say, it was all here, the moment, the camera, the sun the trees the water, it was at best intoxicating; the woman, well, a plus, a conversation. What would I do with her anyway?
1928 Sydney Harbour Bridge Boomerang
Posted by Malcolm in Uncategorized on January 21, 2012
Collection
Powerhouse Museum, Sydney, Australia.
Object name
Object description
A Timber with poker-work boomerang made by Tommie Foster at La Perouse, New South Wales, Australia in 1928. the boomerang was hand carved from a section of mangrove probably from Kurnell at Botany Bay. the central motif of the Sydney Harbour Bridge spans the curve of the boomerang and there is a wattle sprig and geometric design at each end. the water beneath the bridge has been coloured with green pigment. the reverse side bears the inscription in lead pencil: ‘To Jim Kenney (1928) From Tommie Foster, La Perouse’. Dimensions 235mm wide x 545mm long x 10mm deep.
During the 19th century the vast majority of the Sydney Aboriginal communities were forced off their land out into regional areas, including the South Coast of New South Wales. But as the South Coast was subdivided for dairy farming from the 1870s, these Aboriginal communities were again landless and began to drift back to Sydney or up the North Coast. Several locations in Sydney including La Perouse and Blacktown became informal refuges. the refuge at La Perouse was known by government officials as the ‘Blacks Camp’.
In 1885 a small Anglican mission was established at La Perouse. In addition to providing food, shelter and basic education, the mission also provided religious instruction.
In 1895 seven acres was gazetted by the New South Wales Government as a ‘Reserve for the use of Aborigines’ at La Perouse. the New South Wales Protection Board’s decision was partly prompted by the desire of local Aboriginal people to protect their homes and lifestyle from the encroachment of commercialism and missionaries.
In the late 1920s the world economy slumped into the great Depression. In some areas of Sydney unemployment was 40 per cent. Many families had no incomes at all and could not pay their rent. Unemployment camps sprang up at various locations around Sydney including happy Valley at La Perouse. happy Valley was next to Anzac Parade behind Congwong Beach.
People often arrived with only the possessions they could carry. They would simply pick a spot and erect a hut with scrounged corrugated iron roofing, white washed hessian walls and earthen floors. They scrounged food from local Chinese market gardeners and local fishermen. the government provided one pint of milk per family per day.
In 1932 happy Valley had a stable population of at least 330. while life at happy Valley was hard, in other ways things weren’t so bad. one former resident recalled life as ‘happy, carefree, no rush and bustle, no money, no work, swimming all day on Congi Beach’. another recalled that ‘we had freedom… even if it was the freedom to starve’.
The Aboriginal Mission was located opposite happy Valley and the two communities enjoyed a good relationship. Extensive trade and interaction developed and many European- Aboriginal relationships formed resulting in many marriages and children.
In 1938 the New South Wales Golf Course, tired of having so many poor people living on its boundaries creating an eye sore for its wealthy patrons, pushed for evictions. the mayor of Randwick Alderman Bourke was also concerned about the Council’s image and the number of ‘illegitimate and half caste’ children being born at happy Valley and lobbied the State Government to remove the camp. by 1939 all the residents were moved to more suitable housing and the huts were demolished.
The boomerang has historical significance as evidence of many boomerangs that were made in the La Perouse community in the 1920s and 1930s. the central motif of the Sydney Harbour Bridge was an icon inspiring hope for the future for a nation going through the hardships of the great Depression. the icon of the Harbour Bridge was a much used symbol of many products and logos. it was used on at least one other La Perouse boomerang and was a common motif on many non-Indigenous souvenirs and designs.
The boomerang has aesthetic significance in the design and manufacture of aboriginal material culture incorporating contemporary European icons and design.
The boomerang is significant for researchers as it has the potential to resonate with all types of material culture produced by urban indigenous communities at a time when sections of the community were under significance financial and social stress.
The boomerang has tangible significance to the Aboriginal people of New South Wales, the wider population of Sydney and Australia as a symbol of the overall harmonious nature of the Australian community despite continual waves of migration and the issues of dispossession and violence in the Colonial era and the stolen generations of the 20th century.
The boomerang is rare as one of series of individual object made by Tommie Foster at La Perouse using the Sydney Harbour Bridge design.
The boomerang represents sub themes in Australia’s migration history of minority communities that carry on with stoicism and optimism in the face of indifference and racism by the dominant Australian cultural groups, mainly Anglo Australia. In celebrations and large cultural events Aboriginal people have traditionally been presented as either historical curiosities swept away by the arrival of Europeans after 1770 or as fauna. Aboriginal people during the great Depression faced the double disadvantage of racism, and economic disadvantage.
The boomerang interprets the survival and celebration stories of the Aboriginal people and their communities in the greater Sydney area and New South Wales. the issue of dispossession, settlement, genocide and survival are issues that still inhabit the indigenous debate in Australian society and politics. These tensions are still evident in Australian culture today.
Bibliography
Coupe, S & Andrews, M 1992, Was it only Yesterday? Australia in the Twentieth Century World, Longman Cheshire, Sydney.
Heritage Office & Dept of Urban Affairs & Planning 1996, Regional Histories of NSW, Sydney.
Heritage Collections Council 2001, Significance: A guide to assessing the significance of cultural heritage objects and collections, Canberra.
Thompson. S 2002, Lapérouse Museum, Department of Environment & Conservation, Sydney.
Thompson, S 2007, at the Beach: Contact, Migration & Settlement in South East Sydney, Migration Heritage Centre, Sydney.
Websites
Written by S ThompsonSeptember 2011Migration Heritage Centre NSW © 2011
Sydney, Australia: R & R from Vietnam [Part one of two]
Posted by Malcolm in Uncategorized on January 20, 2012
(From the Book: where the Birds Don’t Sing)
New South Wales–City with the Rainbow Door
Sydney, Australia: R & R
When I arrived in Australia, a country plus a continent in itself, I landed in the city called Sydney, which in its own right is in a section of Australia called new South Wales, in comparison: –it might be considered another state, had it been in the United States. within the city of Sydney I would end up in a hotel in a section of the city called Queensland. And to make my visit a little more geographically complicated, –when I looked from the roof of my hotel you could see the beautiful harbor and a park, I always called it simply, Queen’s Park. there were huge trees, a water front, shrubs, flowers, and a kind serene wonderland. yes, the view was meticulously beautiful.
Girl from the Farm
[Sydney]
It doesn’t seem to matter where you travel, for there is always one thing that stands out among most of the others; –while taking R & R [Rest and Recuperation] in Sydney, for seven days, it was no different [and we'll get to that in a second]. but what made it especially unique, for me anyways, was, it was paid for the US Government, that is, the airfare and my extra seven day leave–and possible the main thing that stood out was the women were much more friendly than the men, or at least to American’s and in particular, GI’s.
Most all of us GI’s in Vietnam got a seven-day to go someplace [such as Hong Kong, Bangkok, Hawaii, or Sydney] even though I had only eight-months to serve, they gave it to me none the less. but back to what I was saying, that you always remember one thing, attached to that female-friendliness was Zolinda a girl I met on a tour. although I had met quite a few females on that seven-day adventure, she would standout among the rest.
To repeat myself, I was on a city tour, it was 7:05 PM, and she had already been on the bus when I arrived, so I sat in the seat in front of her. She quickly gave me a smile, standing up, and asked if she could sit with me. She was as petite and cute as a sparrow.
Soft spoken, slow and witty with chosen words, if not editing herself; her introduction seemed most sensitive, and curious. the bus had to go to several hotels and pick up other people for the city tour, and in so doing, she seemed to do most of the talking, if not asking many questions.
I told her about my hometown, and state, being: St. Paul, Minnesota, and my high school, along with how cold it was back there in Minnesota, implying it was like living in the Arctic, which is not far from the truth; –and how my life had turned when I left San Francisco, and got drafted, and now was stationed in an Ordnance Company in Vietnam.
She explained she was from a small farm outside of Sydney; and, that seemed to consume most of our bus time during the first thirty-minutes of our getting to know one another. actually we were finding out we were both very easy to talk to, which she seemed quite taken by.
We were now sitting, or so it seemed, a little closer together than we were in the beginning, looking out the window as the woman guide pointed out a few things.
Her hair was silky blond, very slim, and a creamy light completion. Her lips were thick and very sexy looking.
I told myself, as I was thinking, remembering what I had said to Rosalie, the Guide, which was, .what’s the use in going on a tour with young girls, when you only got a week in the city. What can you do? She simply laughed and said, have fun, that’s what you’re here for. but I was now glad I let her persuade me to go, I was having fun. And I liked Zolinda.
As we continued on the tour I maintained my posture, and was kind of showing off my brown leather jacket, with long fringes like Wild bill Cody, and his Wild West show -I saw on T.V. I had it especially made for this occasion, or may I say, vacation, plus I’d take it home with me when I left Vietnam, and back home it would cost three times as much as what I had paid for it. I figured it was a good investment. It was tailed made in South Korea for me–, I suppose I showed off to her a little too much, being proud of it, but it was really the only nice thing I had in the world. If she had noticed my little arrogance, she never showed she did, or complained about it.
I commented [soothingly], You are really fresh looking, stunning..
She said with surprise and delight, and a little laughter [contentedly], I’ve never heard anyone say that before, I think that’s good, right? I nodded my head with a smiling-grin, implying yes it was good.
[Puzzled] How come you came on such a tour? I asked her.
[Aghast--but attentively] She said with a little disappointment in her face,
Well, to be honest, this is my first tour, and I had heard many of my senior classmate High School [girls] talking about it, and how polite American GI’s are, and I asked my grandmother, who is ill now, and my father and mother–we all live together you know; anyway, I asked them if I could, and they agreed I could, at least one time. And so here I am. I just wanted to have some fun. And I’m having it now.
The night was not over yet, but I wanted to make a little move so I asked, I’d like to see you tomorrow, if that’s all right with you and your parents.
She smiled saying, I’d like that very much, and I’m not sure who took whose hand, but we ended up holding hands on the bus now.
The Bar – the Hippie
As we all sat in the bar, the tour folk that is, the girls having coke and other soft drinks, and I with a cold beer, I left the group for a moment to go to the bathroom. As I came back out, having combed my hair, five men came up to me, asked where I was from, I said the states, .why? they seemed to circle me after asking that question.
[Appalled, with a scornfully voice] we don’t like hippie’s here that’s why said one of the brave; I started to walk away, but they quickly surrounded me, and then I figured here we go. I’ve always been a fighter, sort of a fighter that is, but this was turning out to be a no win battle.
[Talking nervously, yet stern] You all want to fight one man, how about one at a time or you’re only tough with a group backing you up; –I fought bigger guys than you in Vietnam, who’s first?
[Laconically] Wha’dya-sa., said one of the men half drunk, trying to find his self confidence.
[Boldly now, with a rush of a fighting spirit] I said I fought better men than you in Vietnam, who’s first?
You’re a soldier from Vietnam, another asked.
Yes, why? I was now encircled [this was curtains I told myself], and they were too tight against me to do much kicking or punching, there was no real way to fight my way out of this circle of bodies, I would have a hard time moving anything, what I could do is jump down, I mean, stoop low, hit a few groins, knock them balls to Mars, and take a beating, that was the best I expected to do now.
As the men started to look at me, it dawned on them, they had troops over in Vietnam, and so what was their ‘beef’ over me. [It had the hippie look, the long hair].
Let’s see you’re ID, said a man,
And I pulled it out,
[Looking towards the other men] Damn Joe, he is, man o man, I’m sure sorry soldier, I mean real sorry, let’s buy this man a drink on us. And then all of a sudden they were all buying me drinks, patting me on the back, and had everything good to say about me. I shook my head, thinking, what a life, from the frying pan to the snack bar.
Zolinda was looking over by me I had noticed. I think she was scared for me but didn’t know what to do, and now confused about everyone being friendly. As I said my goodbyes to them, telling them I had to join the group, Zolinda, asked [with a voice that seemed to be coming out of a light panic state],
I thought you were in trouble for a moment And she grabbed my hand, and pulled me to the group, why not stick with us, she added. [It did seem safer.]
The tour and the party was over, the tour guide told the group whoever wanted to stay there at the bar, they could, except the high school kids, and so I left with Zolinda. we talked again on the way back to the hotel, and she assured me we would see each other around 4:00 PM tomorrow, after school. but it wouldn’t work out that way. Her grandmother was ill, and the tour guide got a hold of me and told me she was under obligation to remain home and care for her grandmother. I found out her number and called her and just reassured her I had a good time. She didn’t ask me for my address, and I didn’t offer it. It was a one time meeting, but for some reason she had taken a little of me with her I think, as I most assuredly took a little of her. I guess if things in life do not work out, it is good if one can take the best out of a person, for we often have a long journey ahead, we might be able to use it.
Maybe her parents didn’t want her to get involved with me, she was like a rose ready to blossom, and her hard looking breasts were almost fully developed, along with many other womanly features. She was a prize in a confused world, and I respected her for staying home with her grandmother, if that was truly the case, and if it wasn’t, I still had a grand time.
The Park in Queensland
[Sydney]
Several boats were along the sides of the lagoon—or so it looked kind of like a lagoon, but then maybe it was more of an inlet, –none the less, several small boats were tide nice and neat to the dock area, along with several boats out in the lake type atmosphere of the water. the sky was–was romantically rich with clouds hanging over like white umbrellas, and shades of blue like mirrors reflecting back and forth, one matching the other from the waters to the sky, made for a lit up day: –everything reflected blue [my color].
A huge tree decorated the main area of the park; it was like if Rip-Van-Winkle had been resting there for 20-years, —-it was all so serene; — the sun making its way between the clouds and the blues and the trees; –the warm wind soaping my face. I pulled out my small Polaroid camera and took several pictures, then noticed a woman near by me, she seemed to be interested in me –, she came walking over towards me, about five foot four inches, slim, brown hair, with glasses, her skirt hugged her legs as the wind pushed between them, and her light scarf was loose around her neck; then stepping within a few feet in front of me, she introduced herself, Hello, she said softly, an older woman, maybe thirty-five at best,
Hearing my accent, realizing I was an American [after a pause], she become even more interested in me [dropping her guard], and thinking with my long hair I was in Sydney on some kind of business. Evidently, I was learning I did not look like a GI at all.
When I told her I was an American GI from Vietnam, she seemed to have been let-down a bit [became a little stiffly]. I think she was looking for a Berkley graduate, too bad, she was a fine looker, and I just didn’t have the right DNA.
And so I walked around the park, looked at the gulls gliding through the air; moreover, I continued my stroll along the shore line, talking to myself, singing, humming; grabbing the moment, for one must not let themselves down, because the woman will not dance with you. No need to do much else, just go about your business I always say, it was all here, the moment, the camera, the sun the trees the water, it was at best intoxicating; the woman, well, a plus, a conversation. What would I do with her anyway?