Tuesday 19^th September 2000

Share the Olympic Spirit

The choreographed dancers who formed waratahs and desert pea flowers were a favourite, and the stadium torch is brilliant. The question of "who will light it and how?" kept us so busy wondering, we never stopped to think of "what kind of design?"

The mass media certainly didn't question the strange performance by our Governor General. Most people I speak to say he was overwhelmed by the occasion or nervous. I find this difficult to believe about someone who is an ex judicial type.

As for the effects on the city I can say that the streets are quiet, which confirms the fact that the influx of tourists is not quite enough to replace the locals who disappeared overseas. And since the visitors are all using public transport, it is the everyday public transport users who notice any effects at all. Train stations have removed all bins for security reasons, entrances and exits have been re-arranged and staffed by mega-phone armed enforcers. The buses at Wynyard have been relocated for no reason I can tell.

Large public viewing screens have been placed at key locations so any crowds that are about are out of harms way.

I have been enjoying the spotlight/laserlight extravaganza. Every night the city buildings scan the skies for spitfires and bombers. Every so often a couple of green lasers pan the horizon making sure the that the city is still on level ground. Overall I am reassured of my safety.

End Of Rant.

(C)opyright Sylvano Lucchetti.