A good day for being out

[m_findlow]

Good day today.

Caught up for lunch with two ex collegaues who are now working in the city. Since it was my half day, I trained into the city to meet them on their lunch break. We had lunch at a grand old building converted into a huge restaurant. I had a freekah and roast veg salad with salmon which was lovely. It was just a shame that we only had an hour. I miss both of them at work. They were the two people I could really talk to about stuff so we all couldn't wait to catch up.

Afterwards I decided that if I was feeling up to it I'd go wander around the city for a bit.

By accident when googling the place we met up for lunch I stumbled on the ANZ bank museum in the old bank building just a few doors down. This got me excited as I've had a WIP fic on the go for ages set in an old victorian age bank building in Glasglow. I've got heaps of pictures of old buildings and architecture to set up my mental image of the place, but getting to see inside a real bank was too good to pass up.

The museum bit itself was a bit disappointing - just a little below ground room with some old notes and piggy banks. Though they did have some historic pistols and rifles, typewriters and other banking machinery which was interesting. I just love old stuff and getting to see unsual items up close is cool.

They wouldn't allow photos inside the main building which sucked but makes sense given security and all I suppose, but I've since downloaded a bunch of images. I took photos in the catherdal room which was part of the old exchange building but wish I could have gotten some of the main room as it was amazing. Since everything in the city is less than 200 years old, we don't have a lot of gothic buildings, much less ones kept in such beautiful condition. I could have sat there for hours but the security guy would probably worry I was casing the place. He did ask if I needed help and I said I was just admiring the view.

The main bank lobby.

A cool 360 view.

The ceiling is amazing. So much detailed paintwork and gold leaf.

Looking back from the entrance to the cathedral room.

Amazing vaulted ceiling.

Cathedral room.

Outside windows and gargoyles. I think they're gryphons.

I wish I had a few of these guarding my house.

After reliquishing my camera I wandered around the little arcades and bought lots of yummy chocolate, nougat and raspberry drops for mum for mothers day which is next weekend. They were expensive but they're Haighs and Beechworth so I know she'll like them. The Bourke St mall shops didn't excite me even though I know I need more work clothes and knitted jumpers for winter. Not sure I was really in the mold for clothes shopping. I was just happy being out in public and not feeling that nagging anxiety about being on my own in crowded places with lots of people. I only wish I'd had a little more time so that I could stop for tea and scones at one of the little laneway cafes. Still, all in all good day.

Comments

[bk_forever]

Souds like you had a really good time =D

The architecture and decoration is stunning, not surprising you just wanted to stand there and look at it! I'd be doing the same.

[m-findlow.livejournal.com]

And the more you look the more you see. When you stare at the ceiling long enough you start to notice all the little refernces made back to the English bank from whence they began - there's lots of triple lion helms, roaring lions and Edward crosses and a few other insignia I'm not familiar with.

[bk_forever]

I think it would need hours of study to take in all the details. It's a shame that buildings today are so functional. They lack the style and elegance of old, they have no personality. Buildings like this one are works of art in their own right, they deserve to be preserved and cared for.

[enchanted-jae.livejournal.com]

I r confused. The beautiful bank is still a working bank, yes? And the museum part is a small room in it?

[m-findlow.livejournal.com]

That basically sums it up. I should probably not call it a museum so much as a little information centre. You weren't even allowed to take photos in there, either! I'm now totally jealous of the people that get to work there. Beats a plain grey office any day!