Strutting Budgies

Budgie Strut 2010

Yesterday I was privileged to bear (bare) witness to one of Sydney’s record setting events.  During the annual AIME Strut the Streets, the world record was set for largest gathering of people wearing Budgy Smugglers.  If the term Budgy Smuggler is unfamiliar, you might want to check out the Urban Dictionary definition, before scrolling through the rest of these photos.  Consider yourself properly warned.

Budgie Strut 2010

The event, which Gabe with his love of being semi-nude whenever possible was happy to participate in, was certainly a site to behold.  But if anything says welcome summer in true Australian style, it’s a show of proud Aussie flesh.

Budgie Strut 2010

There were budgy smugglers of all shapes and sizes,

Budgie Strut 2010

Budgie Strut 2010

which people accessorized with class and whimsy.

Budgie Strut 2010

Budgie Strut 2010

And though some adjustments were necessary,

Budgie Strut 2010

the event was thoroughly enjoyed by participants and confused audience alike.

Budgie Strut 2010

You can bare witness to the rest of the event by checking out my photos on flickr.

When Animals go Royal

Welcome all to my photo journey through Sydney’s Royal Easter Show, a longstanding tradition which we were told was a must do for our first Easter in Sydney.  Okay, so I didn’t get stuck on a carnival ride, or eat a fried cheese stick, but I did manage to eat uncomfortable amounts food purchased from stands, and to take in some of the more usual sites at this Sydneysiders version of a county fair.

We started at the food dome where we could purchase local fare and check out the winners of this years food display competition.

At the Royal Easter Show

Then moved on to check out some of the K9s who came in to show off fancy furcuts and prancing talent. But most of them seemed pretty bored.

At the Royal Easter Show

As did their owners.

At the Royal Easter Show

We sadly missed seeing Noddy, the world’s tallest horse, but there was plenty of other livestock around.

At the Royal Easter Show

At the Royal Easter Show

Perhaps the most alarming of these proudly displayed animals were the birds. I’m not sure when, and for what purpose, we started breeding pigeons that looked like this . . .

At the Royal Easter Show

. . . but apparently that’ s what it takes to win a blue ribbon. The hall of birds was also particularly loud, with the constant crowing, clucking and cooing of all its feathered residents. I’m not sure what all the fuss was about, unless they were all just alarmed by each other appearances.

At the Royal Easter Show

We also took in some wood chopping competitions, tough sport, appropriate for an Australian audience. At the end of the day I toyed with the idea of getting a show bag. Everyone usually walks away from the Royal Easter Show with at least one of these bags full of sugary food or cheap items likely to contain lead, but this sign convinced me that I need not feed the consumerist leviathan.

At the Royal Easter Show

I’m also glad I didn’t eat here. Yes, I already know what ” a nachos” is.

At the Royal Easter Show

To see more from Sydney’s Royal Easter show, check out the rest of my photos on flickr.

Australia Day

We didn’t manage to get ourselves any tiny Australian flags or T-shirts, bikini’s or fake tattoos that bear the Union Jack, the Southern Cross and the Commonwealth Star (Yes, eventually I learned that was what comprises the Australian flag).  We did’t go to the beach, because we didn’t want to be there with the entire population of Sydney.  We missed the ferry races by just a few minutes.  And we missed the fireworks even if we did get stuck on a train home with everyone who went to see them.

So how did we celebrate Australia day?

In short we ate lots of grilled meat, drank beer, played in the park and listened to the top 100 countdown on Triple J (which I was assured by several Aussies is tradition).  Does that remind you of any American summer holidays?  I don’t think that’s a coincidence.  Regardless of hemisphere, everyone loves a good BBQ.