Odds and ends, Museum and Art Gallery

Yesterday was an odds and ends day. I walked in the rain to get a printer cartridge, bought a Canadian writing magazine, some postcards and forgot the cartridge. I sent the postcards and a letter. I tightened up a poem and also the 3 Pongo stories. I tried to start work on another story, but it just wouldn't happen.

Despite a night where my dreams told me the story was about maths 'factors' and then that it was about being too small, I woke determined to get into the story. I did too. I was keen to go to the museum and told myself that I wrote 500 words, (half of my target) then I could go into the city and finish the rest when I returned.

I went to the museum first and saw the Afgan Cameleers exhibition. My knowledge of their role in Australian history was very sketchy and it was great to see artifacts and photos from this time. I wonder how their experience compares to muslims arriving now? Any guesses about what this is? (Front and side view)



I walked through most of the other galleries. I'm not sure how I feel when I visit the animal galleries. It is interesting to see the animals together, and compare their similarities and sizes. But I also find them rather spooky for some reason. The Pacific collection is quite amazing, with examples of weapons, tools, decorations and basketry from many small islands.


I don't think I'd ever really thought about the origin of sayings about Snake Oil salesmen, but I found bottles of snake (and scorpion) oil amongst other medicines and syringes and even needles. It doesn't bear thinking about how blunt those needles would have become after multiple uses...making an already difficult experience more painful.


There was a fantastic collection of hats from Alice Spring's Annual Beanie Day. The felt ones were my favourite, although the picnic hat was amazing.



The art gallery was full of people lining up for the second-last day of the Egyptian Exhibition. I opted instead for the permanent collection and had a lovely time wandering through the different galleries. I particularly liked the collection of Sidney Nolan portraits. I also liked the work of an early 20C Australian woman painter, but can't remember her name. Sigh.

I waited for the bus but when the free bus pulled up and people hopped off carrying their fruit&veg, I thought I'd go to the Central Market. When I checked my map, the bus didn't really go all that close and I hopped back off again at the next stop and walked home. Fortunately the promised rain held off until after I was safely inside.

I completed my daily target of words, but think I'll need another post-it note session tomorrow before I do any more.