Monday, December 26, 2016 | Language: English | Currency: Australian Dollar | Population = 4,246,375

Melbourne is described as stylish and arty, a city that’s both dynamic and cosmopolitan and is proud of its place as Australia’s cultural capital. Mark and I decided to start our exploration of the city on foot at Federation Square. Although it has only been around since 2002, it seems as if has always been the cultural center of the city. It is anchored by the Australian Centre for the Moving Image.

Right next door is Flinders Street Station. As Australia’s oldest train station, its characteristic yellow façade and green copper dome remain one of the city’s most recognizable icons. It is still in use today and is the busiest suburban railway station in the Southern Hemisphere. This is the building you saw in the recent news stories about a planned terrorist plot to detonate explosive devices on Christmas Day in Melbourne. Thankfully, it was disrupted by police before it could occur.

The streets were wide and full of trams and trolley, many which are free to ride within city limits. There is an abundance of trees and parks; Melbourne is often called the Garden City. There were modern designs interspersed with traditional architecture. The city was ablaze in true holiday splendor.

Mark and I decided to visit the East Melbourne Hebrew Congregation, the only synagogue in the city limits. Since it was established in 1857, after separating from the Melbourne Hebrew Congregation, it has played a major role in the community. Unfortunately, it was locked shut but we discovered a beautiful park, Parliament Gardens, along the way.

In the park we came upon these statues, holding fresh flowers in their hands. We learned this is the first memorial statue in Melbourne dedicated to two Aboriginal community leaders, Pastor Sir Douglas and Lady Gladys Nicholls. I’ve only gotten a glimpse of the history of the Aboriginals here as not many seem willing to discuss it. It feels similar to the relationship of the American Indian.

Archaeologists believe that the Aboriginals first came to Australia around 45,000 years ago. From the website Survival International – Aboriginals themselves, however, trace their creation back to the Dreamtime, an era long past when the earth was first formed. One Aboriginal man explained it thus:

Since it was a national holiday, Boxing Day, the businesses were closed but the stores were open. Boxing Day in Australia is comparable to Black Friday in the US.

Boxing Day is on December 26th and is only celebrated in a few countries; mainly ones historically connect to the UK, like Australia. (The US is a major exception.) While the exact origins of the holiday are obscure, it is likely that Boxing Day began in England about 800 years ago, during the Middle Ages.

Some historians say the holiday developed because servants were required to work on Christmas Day, but took the following day off. As servants prepared to leave to visit their families, their employers would present them with gift boxes; hence boxing day.

Other tidbits I learned today. The city is pronounced “Melbun.” If you say Melbourne to a local they will wince. A lot like Bawdmore. There’s an intense, but friendly, rivalry between Melbun and Sydney.

Sport is crucial to the fabric of the town, taking on something of a religious nature here. Melburnians are passionate about AFL football (footy), cricket and horse racing, and also love their grand-slam tennis and Formula One car racing. There are casinos and off-track betting. They seem to like to welcome all.