1. Room service! I've been a few places this week. This was a business trip and it was pretty intense. I arrived in Coffs Harbour in the middle of the afternoon. The sky was very blue and my overcoat was unnecessary (I would need it later in Canberra). I checked in to my hotel and made myself a cup of tea. I checked email, returned some calls, ironed my clothes and prepared for the next day. At about 4:30 I went for a walk, enjoying just being in a different place. I decided to order room service for dinner. The menu was interesting and I ordered a piece of rib fillet steak topped with a soft shell crab! It was delicious and I ate it while wearing pyjamas and watching TV. Room service is a nice treat sometimes.
2. My personal taxi driver. I've had my personal taxi driver since before I moved to Melbourne twelve years ago. Charlie and Gary are completely reliable, the cab is clean and they're funny. Highly recommended to take one of the stressful, unpredictable parts out of travel.
3. My prepacked toiletry bag. I learnt this trick years ago when I was doing the fly out Monday morning, fly home Friday night routine. I have my toiletry bag permanently packed with travel sizes of the stuff I use. There's no last minute scrambling around. It lives in my suitcase.
4. My Sony e-reader. I finished three books this week and started another one. In the olden days that would have meant lugging them with me or buying another book at the airport - frustrating when I would think of all the unread books filling my shelves at home. Now all I need is my e-reader. Not only do I have a selection of books available to choose from (I keep it well stocked), but I have several dictionaries available also. Before I had one, I never thought I'd want one. Then when I was given one, I wasn't sure I'd use it. Now, I can't imagine life without one. Currently I'm reading The Richmond Conspiracy by Andrew Grimes. I have to finish before book group on Sunday.
5. Vacant seats. I don't know how it happened, but I'm very glad it did: on all five flights I took this week I had a vacant seat beside me. Even on a short haul flight, this is bliss.
And for this week, there's a sixth thing on the list: the public art in Canberra. It seems that on every corner and in other unexpected places, there is art. Of course, I took some photos to share with you.
I noticed this spectacular woman on the way out of the new part of Canberra airport. She's quite something.
 |
| (c) divacultura 2012 |
 |
| Taken from inside at the top of the escalators (c) divacultura 2012 |
 |
| Not drowning...waving. I love this photo. (c) divacultura 2012 |
 |
| Big foot (c) divacultura 2012 |
 |
| Drain cover in Garema Place, Civic. (c) divacultura 2012 |
 |
| Giant silver pillow, Garema Place, Civic (c) divacultura 2012 |
As I contemplate renewing my commitment to divacultura for another year, I feel excitement and affection. Thank you for sharing some of your time with me. As a thank you gift - and so I can gain a better sense of who's out there - I'll be giving away a pair of my hand knitted socks to two very lucky readers, where ever you are in the world (ie two readers will receive a pair of socks each). To be in the running, leave a comment on this post by Friday 17 August 2012, stating why you like reading divacultura. My favourite responses will receive the prize (my decision is final). Why not take the opportunity to sign up and follow too!
She is stunning! Thanks for sharing. I've never been to the Canberra airport and I would never have know she was there.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome. I haven't been to Canberra for about five years and was quite surprised by the redevelopment of the airport. There's a lot of art around. I think it's excellent.
ReplyDelete