The Brisbane Finale

November 12th, 2006 Bridgewater Apartments, Brisbane, Australia
A couch that didn’t move was an excellent place to park my rear end for a little while. Speaking of things not moving: perhaps I should have listened to Rich about seeing a doctor. A few times during the day I became quite dizzy and began stumbling around. I had to catch myself and sit down for a few minutes before the discombobulating feelings passed. It was a little disconcerting. Patrick had some ibuprofen, and that seemed to help because today I’ve been able to walk straight.
I actually spent a large portion of my time sitting on the couch of suite 3009. Katie wanted me to put all of my pictures on her computer. Felicity wanted all of my pictures and all of Katie’s pictures on her computer, and I wanted quite a few of Katie’s on my external hard-drive. So, I transferred the rest of mine to Felicity’s (I had done most of them while on the ship), and then downloaded all of Katie’s pictures onto my hard-drive, which was followed by me putting all of mine onto her computer. Then I plugged my little machine into Felicity’s computer and shot off Katie’s pictures. It took a long time. I then went through Katie’s pictures deleting all the ones I didn’t want, which also took quite a bit of time. I should get paid for all this work. Felicity said I didn’t have anything better to do, like (cough) a scrapbook (cough).
Derek and I walked to Tuppy’s and got something to eat and a couple of movies. We watched Red Eye and Inside Man while I worked on another drawing for Will’s scrapbook. It’s not the best I’ve ever done. I haven’t drawn anything for quite some time, and I think I’m a tad rusty. If I had more time it would have been much better, but he had to turn it in this afternoon so I was limited to the amount of time I had. I then set myself once more into that beautiful bed by the balcony and drifted off into a comfortable sleep.

We were on the bus at 8:45 this morning driving to Cleveland for church. It was the last time we would be worshipping with this amazing community. These people are another reason I plan on returning. I’ll miss Michel Chekertri, and Trav and Niki, and her parents Martin and Sue (who were both raised in Zimbabwe and spent quite a bit of time after they were married backpacking around the world), and the other wonderful individuals that comprise this church. I did communion. I didn’t prepare very much beforehand unfortunately, because I was asked to take charge of this late the night before. I turned to Matthew 26 where the thirteen guys are sitting in an upper room reclining around a low-lying table, breaking bread together. I said nothing new, but I think it was profound in that we don’t always think about why we choke down a cracker and (in the case of the Churches of Christ) sip on grape juice. It represents something, and it’s good to remember that. After all, Jesus said to do it for that reason. Rich spoke about the history of baptism, and did a very good job. It was interesting to be reminded of the origins and different practices. He did an admirable job with a difficult topic.
As I said goodbye to Martin, he told me when I come back they would have a preaching job open for me. I assured him they didn’t want to waste money on that, but as long as I could just sit and be with them all I would be back. He told me he would hold me to that promise.
A large potluck had been prepared and as we waited a card game of Spades was played by the usual four people. After the meal, I spoke for quite some time with a lady whose name escapes me about American literature. She is taking a class on the subject and had been told by some of the other HUA students that I am an English major. Unfortunately, I have not yet taken American Literature in college, but we had a wonderful conversation about authors such as Langston Hughes, Ellison, Melville, Nathanial Hawthorne, and John Steinback. She has some sort of project approaching and was seeking advice about good American authors about whom to speak. I don’t think I was much help, but it was still enjoyable to talk about it.
I was sorry to leave. I don’t know when I’ll be back to Cleveland. It was an encouraging and uplifting church experience. I’m thankful to have been a part of that community, even for a short time.
I did a few touchups on the drawing for Will at the apartments and then went ahead and repacked my suitcase, making sure everything was in order. At 4, we loaded the bus again and drove to our final event in Brisbane. We were going to see the Cirque du Soleil’s new production called Varekai. A series of large circus tents had been constructed in a vast parking lot. We entered the largest one and found our seats. The performance took place on a circular stage backed by a jungle of towering poles.
This was by far the finest production we have seen on this trip. It was a magnificent show. At first, it was a bit strange, feeling like a weird dream, or just something out of a Tim Burton movie. The costumes were lavish and extravagant in color. The music was one of my favorite parts of the entire thing, a mix of Italian and Celtic, with occasional African-sounding melodies. The acrobatics of the performers was absolutely astounding. They flew through the air, flexibly shifting in the most incredible positions. Every single act was unbelievable, everything from the juggler to the comedy and the guys leaping and flipping from one swing to another to the three little kids twirling around ropes while doing gymnastics all across the stage. It’s hard to do such a thing justice, because to adequately describe the specific acts would be very difficult. We were not allowed to take pictures and the DVD of the show was $45. The CD was $30, and I wasn’t about to fork over either price. That being said, I was thoroughly impressed. I would watch it again.
As we drove to dinner, William sat with me and Joelle. I spent the ride picking hairs out of his head and slurping them like spaghetti, as well as pulling stuff out of his ears and nose. I was so full from eating his hair and ear particles that I almost wasn’t hungry enough for the buffet at the Casino, but I managed to choke down a few things. I sat with Rex, who has been our bus driver quite a few times. He’s a really great guy to sit and have a few glasses of ginger ale with. Originally from Christchurch, he and his wife came to Australia twenty years ago. He owns the bus charter company for which he drives, as well as some sort of car company. He and I spoke about the past several months and life in Australia and how strange it will be to go back home and driving across the Outback (which he did ten years ago) and all sorts of fun and exciting things. He gave me his contact information for whenever I’m back in Australia so I can stay with him and his wife.
Tomorrow we leave the grand city of Brisbane for good, at least for good on this trip. It’s a sad thought. But a few days in Sydney shouldn’t be too painful.

PS The buildings in the pictures are Tuppy's and one of the two buildings in which the Cleveland church meets.