Sunday etc

Well I better start by saying that seeing The Nutcracker Ballet for the 1st time was pretty awe-inspiring to say the least! I had a great seat on the 1st balcony right in the centre, so I could see everything including all of the orchestra pit! The dancing of course was world class. All the lead dancers just completely drew all your attention. The 2 children playing um.... what are the names.... Marie? & Misha I think... were AMAZINGLY talented & the dancers playing the Nutcracker, Uncle Nicolai & the Sugarplum Fairy were definite stand-outs. Being a ballet, the orchestra were more prominent than in The Sound of Music, and watching the players & conductor while hearing the music is something I'll never forget.
After the performance... oh hold on.... BEFORE the performance was 'Story Time' where 2 actors acted out the basic storyline for everyone, which was pretty good too!
After the performance I went for a late lunch at.... you guessed it.... REXtaurant again, where a jazz dance band was playing some trad-jazz including a few Louis Armstrong numbers I liked.
Stayed in Sunday night talking music with a mixture of Canadian, French, Swiss & Aussie people at the hostel.

Today (Monday) hasn't been too eventful yet, as there's a LOT of snow outside and it's one of the coldest days since I've been here! But we found the perfect place for Christmas lunch this afternoon, so I'm looking forward to my first white Christmas now! With my first REAL Christmas tree! (At least I don't think I've had a real one before. Maybe in Geelong? Do any Geelongites remember?). I'll put some snow & tree photos up next time.

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