ANZAC Day

Today is ANZAC day. This is the Aussie's equivalent of veteran's day. ANZAC, stands for the Australia New Zealand Army Corp. Today Katriana does not have school, the grocery stores are closed until 1pm and most shops are closed for the entire day or at least the morning. There were dawn services held all over the city and after reading this, I think a big reason people go is for the "gunfire coffee." That is, coffee with rum added that people have after the super early service. I find it refreshing that public holidays are really treated as holidays. The shops also closed for Good Friday AND Easter. Smaller shops closed for the entire weekend. America, pay attention you could learn a little from that country down under.

On another note, I am failing as an American with my youngest child. Mariska is locating countries on the map, she names Australia with great excitement, Sri Lanka, and New Zealand. Then I point to the U. S. and ask her what country that is, and she says, "Uhhh, I don't know, China?" Then, a few days later the TV is on and showing American flags. Mariska says, "Look Mommy, it's a flag with stars on it!" She didn't recognize it as the American flag. She does, however recognize Sri Lanka's and Australia's flag. We might want to work on that.