Ash Cloud

Photo: Reuters from The Sydney Morning Hearld

Tomorrow is (supposed to be) an important day. After 8 months and 18 days (not that I am counting), I am returning to the “land of the free and home of the brave” for a visit. 

But of course an important day would not be complete without a little drama, and as most of you know, drama seems to follow me wherever I go. So yesterday, as I was getting ready for my day with the news on in the background, I was quickly disrupted by the talk of the Chilean ash cloud that has now grounded flights throughout Australia.

Photo by Paul Rovere from the Illawarra Mercury

First of all, what is the deal with all of these volcanoes? Why all of a sudden has this become a trend? Before Iceland’s recent volcano/ash cloud incident that left millions stranded in Europe, I don't remember volcanoes being a typical excuse for flight delays. What is going on in this world?

Although our flight is still estimated to leave (hopes are high), we are awaiting news on Sydney international flights. As Qantas states on their website, "Sometimes due to circumstances outside our control, such as bad weather or industrial action, your flight may be disrupted or cancelled." I guess they need to add “possible volcanic ash residue” to the list! Fingers crossed that all dramas will be diverted and we won't be stranded at the ends of the world. It completely makes sense that when it's time to return home a volcano in Chile (only about 7000 miles away) threatens our air space. Just my luck....

Queue II

Just a quick follow up to a previous post regarding the opening of Zara in Australia... Top news in Australia today is focusing on the opening of the second Zara in Australia, this time in Melbourne. Once again, crowds have swarmed, some even spending a cold winter’s night outside, awaiting the 9am opening. Apparently when the Sydney store opened 80% of the store sold in three minutes. In Melbourne they are prepared, storing excess stock on a ferry just minutes away in the river. Is this for real? What's the rush?

Thank you to Queen Elizabeth

Image from Wikipedia

Today we celebrated Queen Elizabeth II and her 85^th birthday. It is public a holiday (they do not really say vacation here), which means we had the day off. Even though her actual birthday is April 21^st, Australians celebrate it each year on the second Monday in June. I don’t really get it but apparently June fits better into the Australian holiday schedule as April is Easter holiday (gotta love the vacation time here). I have to admit, a couple of weeks ago I was extremely jealous of all of my American friends who had a three day weekend for Memorial Day, when I had to go to work. But now it is my turn…

Vivid Sydney

Throughout the nine months we have been here, we have experienced many of Sydney's various cultural events. From Sculpture by the Sea to the Sydney Festival to the Night Noodle Markets in Hyde Park. Even though nothing will replace the easy access to the MoMA, Guggenheim, Whitney, The Met... (which I am beginning to accept), I am enjoying the varied activities that Sydney has to offer.

Currently, and until June 13, Vivid Sydney , the largest festival of lights, music and ideas in the southern hemisphere, is taking place. Taking advantage of the winter darkness (I am still having issues linking June and winter), the city comes alive. Buildings become screens for animated light displays, small interventions (over 40) are dispersed and scattered throughout the city’s harbour producing a haze of blending colors over the city.

Obviously the Opera House is the highlight, the building's shells and its tiles reflect imagery that seems to slip along the buildings surfaces. But Kate and I were completely overwhelmed by the installation at the Customs House, Unfamiliar Customs, which gives the building a changing makeover. "An electronic canvas transforms the sandstone architecture with a series of 3D-mapped animation sequences." It's awesome!

If you are in town, don't miss it! It is well worth the visit (even in the rain, as we experienced).