Yesterday we took our first trip by train to Sydney. It is about an hour and 15 minute train ride to Central Station from Gosford. We ended up taking another train to Circular Quay where the kids and I said goodbye to Tom and we headed off on our separate adventures. The kids and I walked through the Botanical Gardens to the ANZAC Memorial where the Sydney Women's March was being held. It was a well organized non-violent coming together of all kinds of people with the common purpose of unity, equality, and social justice. My kids learned words like sexism, racism, xenophobia, and feminism. All great social studies related words right there in real-life-usage! After some speeches, the crowd of about 5000 walked peacefully through the streets of Sydney. There was only one small anti-protest group that gathered with flags and a bullhorn at the other end of the final protest destination. Apparently after we left there were some small 'scuffles' as the Aussie news put it, but that no one was arrested.
While we were at the march Tom went to the National Maritime Institute. He had wanted to go when we were here 8 years ago, but I had nixed it, as walking through a Maritime Museum with a 1 year old as Tom got absorbed in marine engines didn't seem like it would have all that positive of an outcome! So... Tom finally got to go! Afterwards we met at Darling Harbor for a couple beers and chips on the patio and then off to the Sydney Fish Market. Unfortunately, the fish market was closing as we got there so we didn't get to see most of the cool stuff, but on the bright side we now know where it is, so it will be easy to find the next time we come to Sydney! The train ride home was peaceful. As we were leaving the city, Alta was looking at the window, and noticed all the graffiti. "Mom, what's that writing all over the walls." I told her. "Mom, Why do people do graffiti?" That was harder to answer. Tom and I gave her a few different reasons. "I just don't understand why people do it." "A lot of people don't Alta." Such a thinker our girl is.
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AuthorThe Liljemark's enjoy exploring the world. This blog chronicles our adventures. Archives
December 2017
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