Day 36 - Brisbane

Brisbane Butterfly

I spent most of the day walking around the CBD (Central Business District) and Roma Parklands of Brisbane. It’s been two days since the Brisbane River peaked (flooded) here. As I was approaching the city by car, I heard there were 10,000 volunteers for the cleanup effort.

Beautiful Brisbane Plaza

I expected the flooding to be worse. Perhaps in other areas it was. Downtown, the sidewalks were littered with sandbags, some businesses were setting up their stores (the ones that had removed merchandise), volunteers and pumper trucks were busy, and the public was moving through it all.

Brisbane was my favorite stop last year, and I was curious if it would be as charming to me this trip. For a city of its size (roughly 2 million), it does fell nice. Traffic flows well, people are relaxed and young, and there are lots of memorials, historic buildings, parks and plazas, uniquely designed sky scrapers, the river (usually that’s a good thing), and bridges. The weather’s not as hot here (it’s subtropical), yet it's still sultry and enjoyable. Much of the surprise of last year’s visit has been replaced with a sense of familiarity this visit. But all in all, I do like Brisie.

I found a nook down by the river where volunteers were gathered for a reward of steaks and wine. The wine was set out as individual bottles on the ground, and volunteers were coming over to take a few of their favorites. The volunteers all seemed to be in good spirits (no pun intended), and I enjoyed watching them.

Speaking of “watching them”, I find that the larger the city, the more lonely it is. It’s so ironic. I had only one semi-personal exchange all day. Perhaps it is me. The opportunity for meeting people certainly exists in larger population centers. But instead, I revert to being almost completely an observer.

Part of a Great Skyscraper

Flood Cleanup Volunteers and Wine Survivors

Roma Parklands

Roma Parklands are located adjacent to downtown, and for how little land they used to create it, it’s an incredible experience. Roma’s packed with a maze of walks that include bridges, sub-tropical jungle, water (in the form of streams, falls, ponds, and fountains), dozens of flowering species, lawns, playground equipment, an amphitheater, and lizards. Yes lizards – scurrying all over the place. I haven’t included any photos of them because I don’t like them. They’re ugly and a nuisance (once you realize they’re everywhere). I just wanted to punt each one I saw into the water.

Aaron and his American Muscle

A powder blue 1960s vintage Camaro SS convertible went zipping by – and the steering column was on the left. ‘Crap, my camera’s in my backpack’, I thought. But then it pulled over and parked up the street from me. I ran to catch the driver. I asked him about the car and found out this one origninally came from the U.S. (he was the second owner in Oz), but he had imported another Camaro from America previously. Wow, I was being sarcastic with the import comment. Maybe there’s something to that.

That makes two "semi-personal interactions" here in Brisie today. I guess it was me afterall.

I tell people we each create our own reality, starting in our own minds. I guess I just made the point to myself. Big cities must be as personal as you want to make them.

Now, why don't I have one of those beautiful American muscle cars?! Oh yeah, they're too expensive because the Aussies have been snapping them up!

Brisbane

Bride and Bridesmaids in Roma Parklands

Return to Oz

Day 36 – Brisbane

< Previous Post         Next Post >