Holiday Blog: More people

So we set out to walk to the Chinese museum and temple since history and the stories of people are what interest me, although we did go to Crocosaurus Cove yesterday and I surprised myself by finding it interesting and informative and I nearly touched a snake but declined to hold one. Not the baby croc nor any other reptiles.
The Chinese museum was fascinating. I didn't know that there were way more Chinese people than European settlers in Darwin in the 1890s. Thier contribution to the settlement and culture of Darwin has been amazing. Sadly it's no surprise that then (and now) there has been discrimination. Some second and third generation Australian born people of Chinese background, when asked where they come from say 'Darwin' but inevitably get the 'But where did you really come from?' response.
I enjoyed listening to recordings of the recollections of older Chinese people and reading about Chinese culture and beliefs. The temple is still used so we entered with reverence respecting that it is a worship space.
So that accomplished our mission for the day and it was very well worth it.
But the highlight for me was the serendipitous find along the way of an exhibition at the Darwin Visual Arts Association gallery. It opened Friday night. Titled 'Pyjama Years: Surviving Anxiety, Depression and Panic' it featured artwork by Leah Clarke and this morning she was there. We talked about her experience and looked at her fabulous watercolors. She shared warmly and generously about the days when she couldn't get out of her pyjamas and about what it was that brought her back to functionality again. A great sign of hope that there is a way through and to live with depression. My thoughts have gone back to her since then - her bravery, her generosity, her talent. Thank you, Leah.
And what's more, while we were talking we discovered that she lived in Berri for a while as a child.
Check out http://leahjmclarke.blogspot.com.au/ for some of her work which expresses so well her expereicne. I think her work admirably fulfills her aim of adding to the awareness of anxiety and depression and the effect it has.

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I found this on Leah's blog and loved. One of my other favourites at the exhibition included a black cat.