Anzac Day

It was Anzac Day for Australia and New Zealand yesterday, a public holiday that recognises and remembers the troops who have fought and who continue to fight.  Mystical Roo, Monster Noggin and I ventured into the city to watch the parade.  Sydney was transformed into a completely different city than the one I've come to know in the past few weeks.  The streets, normally packed with people and vehicles, were deserted and all of the shops were shut.  I saw a woman laying in the middle of the road, camera in hand, taking photos of her children.  It was probably the only time of year when a person could get away with laying in the middle of the road in Sydney without the risk of getting run over by car, bus or bicycle.  In total contrast, if you hit the right part of the city you could see massive crowds lining the pavements as different battalions marched the streets, flying their respective flags.  It was an impressive sight and I must confess that I became choked up on more than one occasion.  After the parade the pubs literally began overflowing with men in uniform.  Monster Noggin was pleased.  And then the beer started flowing.  Mystical Roo was pleased.  And we stopped off at Darling Harbour for lunch.  Little Stalky was pleased.  There is a tradition on Anzac day for copious amounts of drinking and a gambling game - legal only on this day - called two-up.  I've never witnessed anything quite like it and to be honest, I still don't think I understand it.  It's like a game of heads or tails but with two coins and an exchange of money.  There are drunken people clutching notes from a modest $5 to a monstrous $50, shouting "$10 for heads, $5 for tails!"  Someone takes them up on their offer, someone holds the cash (there's a lot of trust involved), some dude throws the coins and everyone cheers.  Money is then passed around depending on the turn of the coin and there is much rejoicing.  I hear this game dates back to the trenches, which is why it's played on Anzac day.  It's a crazy atmosphere and there's literally no room to move but there's such a sense of comradeship that you feel completely safe.  Everyone is in a good mood and everyone just wants to be friends.  If you happen to find yourself in Sydney around Anzac Day then watch the parade and then get yourself down the pub!  It's a unique Aussie experience.