Apr 12, Adelaide

Anna arranged a wonderful tour of the Central Market for us. First we had a huge breakfast at Lucia's. Not sure of the name of the dish, there was crunchy toast covered with a homemade tomato and red pepper sauce and topped with poached eggs.

John told us about the origins of the market and the present day operations and her took us to several shops. We had samples of yogurt, apples, lemon tarts, coffee, melted chocolate with strawberries and Russian peroshkis (like perogies, but made with yeast dough and fried - ours were ricotta and spinach). We watched a woman stretch mozzarella. She added salt and hot water to cheese curds and used paddles to pull the cheese together. She used her hands to pull on the cheese and smooth it, then squeezed small balls out and placed them in salted water. What a great tour.

After the market, Anna joined us and we went to St Francis Xavier Cathedral. Then we drove to Himeji Japanese Gardens. It was a beautiful and peaceful place to wander around. Himedji is one of Adelaide's sister cities, another is Austin TX.

Then the three of us went for a tour of Parliament Building. There are 2 houses in the legislature, the Legislative Council has 22 members and the House of Assembly has 47. The population of South Australia is about 1.6 million. In 1856 South Australia granted all men the right to vote, including Aborigines. In 1894, all women were granted that right. South Australia was the first place in the world where women could become members of Parliament. We didn't learn much of this from our guide, she wasn't very good.

Our last stop was the Jam Factory, an art space where we watched people blowing and shaping glass. There was also a shop where they sold art works by local artists.

Tonight was another special night in Adelaide. We went out with Anna and Beverly. First dinner at a bistro near the Festival Centre. It was a very lively place with an after work crowd. Delicious food. Then we went to see Cirque at the Symphony. The Adelaide Symphony Orchestra played and there were spectacular performances onstage at the same time. They were the Cirque artists who almost defy description: working with things hung from the ceiling, like ropes and silks and a hoop; a juggler, a contortionist who also did a quick change act, and men who performed feats of strength in slow motion. The acts were amazing and the audience was wildly enthusiastic. It was a wonderful evening.

Pictures - Woman stretching mozzarella, Jeanne & Anna at Himedji Gardens, Glassworker