Some of the coolest things about being part of a diplomatic corps are the invitations sent to us by the host government to go to places generally unknown or inaccessible to tourists, or even locals. Aside from learning of a site's fascinating history, we get to get up close to rare sights, and then message our millennial nieces and nephews "Ha! Wala ka pa nyan sa instagram mo, 'no!
But seriously, all the Consuls in Sydney were delighted to be invited by the Armed Services to attend (for the first time ever, I think) High Tea at the historical Victoria Barracks. The 1800-era place was gorgeous, with an interesting (IG) story at every turn.
(I don't know how to use IG story)
The parade grounds used to double as a cricket field, and the soldiers would know they've "Hit for Six" if the ball reached the clock tower (or is it if it hit the number "6" on the clock? or is it if the clock struck six' o clock then times up and the match ends? i still don't fully understand cricket)
The cannons that still take positions around the place are from the First Fleet. That is all.
Columns for the building were actually ballasts of the early colonial ships. That's...that's just home renovation planning.
The Barracks are made from beautifully colored Sydney sandstone (or as it's called here, sandstone). Those black lines are actually centuries old scratch-marks from soldiers lighting up matches for their cigarettes (after the cricket, presumably), while the deep indentations you see at the corners are from soldiers wiping off muddy boots and bayonets after a long march (before the cricket, presumably)
I just now noticed that one sandstone block kinda looks like the Philippine flag. I wonder what's the story behind that? If only I knew instagram. Or cricket.
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