A taste of local culture -- part 2

So, Tuesday brought kangaroo on a plate and Wednesday brought Anzac Day, a unique Aussie/Kiwi memorial to veterans, fallen soldiers and military combat.

I had absolutley no idea what Anzac meant when I arrived in Australia. It sounds a bit like the name of an insurance firm. However, in my first week in Sydney I discovered the Anzac Memorial in Hyde Park, a small but beautiful stone structure that is the perfect spot for a moment or two of quiet reflection. Anzac -- the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps --is what they call soldiers down here.

Anzac Day happens each year on April 25 to mark the anniversary of the first major military action seen by the Aussie/Kiwi troops in the First World War. There are Anzac Day parades, dinners, luncheons and the like. I have to say that for a day that marks many awful, sombre events, Anzac Day was fairly fun and festive, in a tempered sort of way. This is due largely to the afore-mentioned parades but also to a wonderful game called Two-up.

I was vaguely aware of a form of gambling that is only legal to play on Anzac Day between certain hours, having seen something about it on the news a couple of days ago. Yesterday, while strolling down the street in Kings Cross, I came across a circle of people gathered on a street corner. A pile of gravel was scattered on the ground and a few different men were taking turns tossing two coins into the air. "Heads!" and "A head and a tail!" would yell the man in the centre of the circle. After each coin toss, more and more bets were placed. Guys would throw down $20, $40 or even $100 while declaring their intention to back heads or tails and calling on others to match their bets.

It's really the simplest of games. If you bet heads and two heads are thrown, you win. If two tails land on the ground, you lose. That's it. But the energy these guys brought to game was pretty fun to watch. Eventually people just walking by on the street would stop and throw down a bit of cash to try their chance. A couple of the guys, who had clearly played this game before, made a small fortune. I was tempted to play but not being much of a gambler (read: I be po') I held back and let the other guys lose their money.

Last but not least, I made more travel plans yesterday. I am now the proud owner of a bus pass from Sydney to Cairns, a city at the far northeastern end of Australia. I have six months to use the pass and can hop on and off the bus as many times as I like en route. The first leg of the journey begins next week when I leave Sydney on May 1 for Coffs Harbour, a coastal resort town about 500 kilometres to the north. Can't wait!