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It is true to say that the Australians are an extremely proud nation. At first, I found it a bit annoying that they promote their country so much, I suppose it was because I felt as though it was in my face all the time. It is pushed your face all of the time. But I'm starting to understand why.
Adam bought me a drink for lunch today from the cafe just next door and the first thing that I actually checked was if it was made in Australia. And it was. But the fruits were imported. And the truth is, I actually wished that he'd picked up a drink that used fruit form Australia. So their campaigns are clearly working! I thought to myself, I love this country so much, I want to support it by buying Australian.
Last Saturday, we were woken up in the middle of the night (6am is pretty much the middle to me) by singing and trumpets vibrating through the apartment. I opened the blind to see 40,000 people standing, all wrapped up on the lawn outside out apartment- by the Shrine of Remembrance. We had through (for a millisecond) of getting up at 5:30am to go to the Dawn Service for remembrance service but quickly forgot all about it..until then of course.
We rolled into clothes and wobbled across the road. I couldn't believe how many people were there. Families, groups of kids and ex-soldiers. I suddenly remembered a group of lads on the tram talking about it. They'd obviously had a few drinks and were off on a night out, laughing and joking boisterously. Their conversation about the Dawn Service however was admiral as they were 'definitely going to the service'. I laughed to myself- nothing would get me out of bed the morning after a few drinks! Those lads wanted to pay their respects to the soldiers who fought to protect their home. Good on them!
As the service finished, I walked alongside a soldier proudly wearing his medals. I asked them whose medals they were (this was to not insult him incase he was too young to have gone to war. I clearly had no idea of Australia's input in any war at all!!) That soldier had been presented them for his service in Vietnam.
Later, I went home and googled the Vietnam war. When I found out that the soldiers were not warmly welcomed back from war, I was absolutely gutted. While the men were out fighting, the rest of the country were in total disagreement with Australia's involvement with the war, meaning that the soldiers were not given full support. I felt terrible for that guy I'd spoken to.
The ANZAC parade went on for hours. I felt immensely proud of the men and women who had fought for Australia, supporting England in many wars. It was strange, because I'd never really wanted to support wars before. I didn't want to give the 'OK' to violence. But Ive never liked the German language, so I suppose I should.
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This weekend, Adam and I hired a car. We drove the 800km round trip, along the Great Ocean Road (later I found out that the road has been built by WW1 soldiers after they had come home from battle). How proud the Australians are of their country became all the more clearer. No photo or words can describe how beautiful the cost of Victoria is. And apparently this is 'nothing compared to the north.'
I don't know how to exactly tell you about how amazing it was. Kangaroos and Koalas. Bright blue and red birds.
In this case, I think photos will speak a thousand words...
The 12 Apostles
