AUSSIE WEEKENDER 24

The New Year Eve! I remember this was a day which was nothing for me till the TV came in around 1987. Even during the initial times of TV, the only excitement was Prannay Roy’s special ‘World this Week’. Then, it grew as a big event with all night programs in TV. But still, my New Year had nothing more than TV events! Mostly the next day’s news will have some of the New Year celebrations happening in some part of the World. I am not sure the fireworks were only there in Sydney during those days, some 15 years ago, but it was shown at first always! So I think, I had noticed it and the first thing I know about Sydney is this bridge and the lotus-like building lit in the fireworks. I had no clue of what this lotus-like building was until a few years ago when people in South Africa use to talk about Sydney and Opera house. I got some more clear idea when my junior Binish wrote about being in Sydney, a couple of years ago. So you can see that I will be boasting if I say it was a dream for me to be there for the fireworks! It was far beyond being thought of as a dream, thanks to my ‘geography and general Knowledge’!
But sometimes reality overtakes your dream, and some dreams never become reality! So I am here in Sydney, and now realise that these people also are still enthusiastic about it as much as I am! But as I had been telling you about the crowd and it was a tough day ahead for me.
The forecast: It was supposed to be a Sunny day with the Sun heating to 35 degree in C !
The Plan: As my initial going through the sites said that Macquarie’s Chair is been made a paid spot to see the fireworks, I was looking for Circular quay to enjoy the fireworks, which is the second best spot to watch the same.
The Morning: It was a busy morning for us. Anish in St.Leonard’s had invited us for lunch and was suggesting planning it together for the fireworks. He was here last year and knows the crowd better; this year is his first after marriage.
The packing: We packed with fruits, food for night, some dry fruits and nuts to keep Krithi’s energy level, some basic medicines, some bread and a bed sheet to reserve the place.
We started by around 10. Took a NYE ticket which was a special ticket enabling us to travel across the city unlimited in trains till 1st Jan noon. Whereas a normal return ticket costs 5.40, this one was just 5 $. We had some relaxed time at Anish’s place and after lunch, started by 2pm towards the city’s action spot for the day! My only worry then was that Anish was sure that they will have a public access area in Macquarie’s Chair as well, which I was not sure. I was a bit worried of not being able to get any place anywhere after wasting our time to go till Macquarie’s Chair and finding it inaccessible and then moving to another spot. Anyway, there is always a factor of risk to get the best !
14h30: Got down at Wynyard, and took a taxi to the Domains gate. I am not sure why Anish was insisting on taking a taxi while we could use the free ticket with us to take another train to the station near the Domains. Anyway, it was people everywhere! All walking to get the best possible view they can get, of the fireworks. We crossed the checking point where they check for any bottles or other prohibited items including liquor (!). Don’t guess it, you can’t bring liquor but you can buy it inside ;). Else I am sure I will not have even 10% of this crowd. But there is a condition. If you have to buy liquor, you should have proved your age is more than 18 and got it authorised. That was the first amazing thing we witnessed as we got in to the botanical garden compound: a long queue to get them verified for alcohol. Once they find the identity card authentic, they will be tied with a non-reusable red plastic band on their hands. That enables them to stand in another 'short'er queue to buy drinks (Picture 1). We walked around 10 minutes to reach the tip of the botanical garden, the most wanted part – Macquarie’s chair! It was full in sunlight and shades. There was a climb which has no proper way to sit, was free! We tried to get a spot there, but the volunteers were telling us that we may be told to leave later as these areas are not safe to sit! We just got a shady part there and sort-of settled down (Picture 2). In the meanwhile, Anish managed to acquire a bed-sheet space in the ‘valley’ below us but it was too hot to sit there. We still settled on the hilly part, waiting for the Sun to go down. It was around 3 by that time. Still 9 hours to go…! And the crowd was just pouring in…(Picture 3) I know I am trying to explain an event which is to me like having a lunch with Queen Elizabeth ! So it is taking its time to convert it in to words. Again, as you know, I am not such a picker of words. All I know is a handful of words to do a trial and error to see if it matches my feelings! So I will continue with the NYE next week.
Tailpiece : Hope you would have read of Kerry Packer’s demise. He is told to be the most influential man in Australia! We can remember him as a determined man who just went on to create one day cricket calling the best available cricketers all over the World just for the reason that he( his Channel 9) didn’t get the telecasting rights ! I also join the Aussies and cricket lovers all over the World to pay my tributes to this legend!