Australia Day is a time to celebrate beaches, lamington drives, and Kylie – at least that’s what one commercial said. Another opinion is a day that we can all take off work to watch cricket. I’ve never been able to get excited about cricket. (and lamington drives are what American’s would call bake sales).
On January 26th, 1788 the First Fleet ran the British flag up over Sydney Cove (I think this might even be on the citizenship test). It’s similar to July 4th as the respective national holiday. It’s also similar to Columbus Day both in a celebration of the “discovery” (by the British), and protests by the people that were already here. There have been suggestions of moving the national holiday to a different day as some native people look at it more as Invasion Day.
We didn’t go to the beach, but I made John listen to a little Kylie. I gave the grill a good cleaning only to realize we were out of gas. Our indoor grill had to sub. I’m so full I’ll barely be able to make room for ice cream. :)
Just to clarify for those reading who aren't familiar with Australian history, the 'discovery' of the East Coast of Australia by the British occurred about 18 years before that date in 1788 so it's more a settlement/invasion date than a discovery date.
ReplyDeleteAnd American 'bake sales' don't generally have lamingtons in them (do they?) It's a roughly 2" cubed cube of sponge cake (sometimes cut in half to add cream and/or other filling) and surrounded with a jelly (jello) or chocolate mix and coconut bits. Actually I've never made them so I hope that's roughly right. There's always Google or Wikipedia if anybody wants to check.
Happy Australia Day!
ReplyDeleteYeah, I'm still alive, still kind of a little back, but just a little. Thank you for checking on me. I'll be BACK before too long. Long, ugly, boring story. Love you, Rob.
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