HEY HO LET'S GO was the phrase of the day at Sacred Heart Mission's Community Cup XIV. The event is a fundraiser for the Sacred Heart Mission (directly across the street from my flat with glimpses of the bay just beyond it). It's held at the Junction Oval, one of Melbourne's footy/cricket stadiums, and a nice walk through Albert Park from my flat. I love where I live!!! The day's festivities cost a whopping $5 and consisted of live music and a footy game played between local musicians and radio dj's. Footy is HUGE here - it's Australian Rules Football, and it moves quite a bit faster than American football (less time outs, no downs, it seems the ball just changes possession and continues play - of course this is my first impression and may well be wrong). The field is oval, not rectangular. The band I saw play at Spanish Club played today, along with several others, starting around 11 AM until around 2 PM, when the footy game began. One singer was introduced as the mayor of St Kilda and came on stage in a skeleton costume... wouldn't put it beyond the realm of possibility for this neighborhood. During the live music, we (spectators) filled the footy field - throwing footballs and frisbees, chasing down dogs (there were heaps of them!!), and of course drinking beer. I got a bottled water and laughed at the label, "another bloody water," with a label that jokes about no picturesque mountains and waterfalls to lure customers. Australians have a funny sense of humor. The musician that sang the national anthem clearly did not know the words and spoofed his way through it. Later during the game, the commentators said the players seemed to have taken an unannounced intermission because nothing was happening on the field. The tone of the day was very relaxed and casual and easy, as most things seem to be Australia. I ran into a bunch of Cassie's friends within my first half hour there, and adopted Lisa's dog for the afternoon. Would have loved to bring Jack.
