Ferdy is not much interested in big cities. Can Melbourne, with a population of 4 million plus, be an exception? Certainly the impressive skyscrapers, highway architecture, interesting cityscapes and shopping arcades all try hard to make it impressive. The use of trams cause it to have less downtown car traffic than Ottawa. And, this being Melbourne Cup Day, a Victoria State holiday, creates a level of excitement. Many folk dress up in period dresses, tuxedos and hats, and many will end up drunk and unruly by the end of the day. Seeing a friendly demonstration to celebrate the 8-hour work day initiated here in 1856, and chatting with some of the participants, was cool. Cool, very cool indeed, was the weather, unseasonably cold (about 14C) and rain for Melbourne, good thing we actually brought our rain
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