Out and About in Melbourne - The Novak Djokovic saga!!

Hi Readers,

Well I haven't posted for a few days after going ballistic and posting a number of posts in less than 24 hours.

Priorities have changed somewhat since a family member has been discharged from hospital and I'm now the primary carer. 

While I had been on my own I had the opportunity to go for many walks, runs and rides around Melbourne as I needed to fill my time somehow. It was always amazing to take note of the various things I'd see that I'd normally miss or just take for granted.

One of the biggest news items here in Australia, and especially in Melbourne since last Thursday has been the Novak Djocovik visa saga.

People from all walks of life have their own views about whether or not he should be allowed to stay or be sent home. I've got my own views on this but I'm not going to use this platform to air them. We are all entitled to our views and I respect that.

While coming home from one such walk I was approached by a lady in the street with a microphone and camera, who ever so politely asked me if I'd care to share my views on the Djokovic ordeal, something I didn't mind to do at all as I had nothing else to do.

She asked about ten or so questions that were very interesting and which made me think carefully, and through my answers we soon discovered that she came from the same place where I live. What a small world!!

We said our goodbyes and went our seperate ways, and after a few minutes it suddenly dawned on me... "Who was she representing and what was going to be done with my responses?"

She wasn't wearing a uniform and didn't identify herself as belonging to any organisation, so at first I was a bit worried. But then I thought that I hadn't said anything untoward or offensive in my responses, so there was nothing that was going to have the KGB, North Korean Secret Police, the CIA or ASIO coming after me, so I just let it it go and forgot all about it.

Until the next day.

One of my brothers who lives in Brisbane sent me a message to say that he had seen me on BBC News that morning!!

Apparently, this lady was a reporter who was gathering responses from 'everyday Australians' about what was happening with Novak Djokovic. Only one of my responses was aired, which was to be expected, for if they showed all the responses from the various people interviewed the clip would be hours long!! 

https://youtu.be/qi9as6jXt-Y

The next day I went out again (not searching for someone to interview me again!!) and on the way home I thought I'd walk past the hotel where Djokovic had been placed the night before.

Overseas readers, at this point I need to make you aware that this former hotel is now being used to house refugees and people who are waiting to have their entrance into Australia validated.

Many of these people have been housed here for a number of years, with little prospect of being released in the foreseeable future. 

What struck me immediately was the very large police presence interspersed from about a block away from the hotel. They were obviously very well prepared for any trouble at all, which has unfortunately been a feature of Melbourne quite a lot in the past few months as anti lockdown demonstrations have gotten out of hand.

In this case it was pleasing to see some of the protesters casually chatting to the police, rather than being vocal and threatening. The police were even able to chat calmly with the protesters, all in all it was a win for both sides. These protesters were there to complain about the ongoing detention of refugees in the hotel, and how they were being forgotten, while it was perceived that Djokovic was receiving undue preferential treatment.

More protesters going in to bat for Djokovic were expected at around midday, so there was obviously some tension for when the two groups eventually collided.

Thankfully, later on in the day we found that everything went smoothly for all groups.

Then there were the camera crews. Everywhere.

And journalists dressed in all their finery waiting around to do that special 'on the spot ' report.

Of course there were the usual nuffies standing in view behind the reporters making hand signals and stupid faces and waving placards ( with spelling errors!! There's the teacher in me coming out!). The patience of these reporters is to be commended.

The outside of the hotel. If you zoom in you may see the signs in the windows displayed from other detainees. Overnight the focus centred on just one detainee who might only spend a few nights in here. I wonder if the spotlight will soon focus on everyone else in there as well.

The camera crews every few metres.

 Note the graffiti on the building and signs in the windows.

Another view of the building. Zoom in to see more of the police  presence.

And Finally, some pure gold!!!

And finally, this is the moment when I felt like Charley Bucket when he scored the final Golden Ticket to visit the Wonka Chocolate Factory!!

I was walking past a chemist and I saw a lady rush in carrying a large box that she had just taken out of her car.

Odd I thought. Normally people carry a box OUT of a shop, rather than INTO the shop.

Trying my luck, I stepped in and casually asked if they had any Rapid Antigen Tests ( which are as rare as Golden Wonka Tickets in Melbourne and everywhere else at the moment)

Sure enough, that was what the lady had just carried in. What perfect timing!!!

After purchasing the one box that I was allowed to buy I bolted back to my apartment, keeping it disguised just in case I got mugged for it!!

Hopefully, I won't have to use it, but with the way things are going here I'm just about resigned to catching Covid at some stage, as much as I don't want to with all the steps I'm taking to avoid it.

Well Readers,

The next few days will be very telling for us all in regards to Covid, so let's just do our best.

Until my next post...

Cheers!!  😁