Beethoven's Souvenirs

The world is unfair. Today, as we have to leave Jervis Bay, the sun is shining from all buttons.

What's this? Do we deserve it? We always finished our food and were well-behaved.

Oh well. Sydney, here we come. Today we had to leave early because we had tickets for the opera at 1:30 p.m. Beethoven's 7th Symphony.

The drive to Sydney

reminded us a bit of the Great Ocean Road.

Unfortunately, we were already under time pressure. What can I say, we started at 9:20 a.m. and drove into the parking garage at 1:03 p.m. And despite pre-reserved parking, we spent 15 minutes looking for a parking space because there were no reserved spaces. So as always, a spot-on landing.

Beethoven's 7th Symphony is divided into 4 parts. Written by Beethoven around 1812, at the time when Napoleon was planning his attack on Russia.

Entrance of the first violin (now I also know where the saying "playing first violin" comes from - admit it, you didn't know that either), followed by the conductor. The first part was very beautiful. A harmonious, ear-pleasing interplay of instruments, especially the violins. Did you know that there are first and second violins, as well as additional violins? I once again asked myself the question of what the conductor is there for. Nobody looks at him except the audience. The musicians are 95% focused on their sheet music. However, during the concert, it was very amusing to see how passionately he waved his baton, waved his arms, made faces, and contorted his body.

In the second part, the conductor brought a woman on stage, wearing a silver dress with golden shoes. What followed was already physical abuse for me. It hurt my ears so much. World premiere of a reinterpretation with the famous Claire Edwardes, one of the world's best percussion players. She was probably amazing, but Carsten has had ringing in his ears ever since. Beethoven must have turned over in his grave. When this part ended, I didn't know if I should applaud out of courtesy or because it finally, finally ended. Some people even gave standing ovations. People with hearing aids were really lucky with this part.

The 3rd and 4th parts were then a balm for our violated ears.

Let's exclude part 2, or precisely because of it, it was an unforgettable experience.

So now off to the airport, check into the hotel, drop off the car, and back to Sydney City. We still need souvenirs (we haven't had time for them yet), a postcard for Herzi, and we also had to go to the Hard Rock Café.

Let's quickly witness the farewell of a cruise ship.

Admire the Christmas decorations in the middle of summer.

And what can I say - we did it all, including the last nightcap beer at the hotel bar. That was almost 7 weeks in Australia. Tomorrow we're going to

......................New Zealand.