Sunday 10 July 2011

Independence Day 2011

After leaving Seoul I headed, not home, but to Santa Clara in California to see my new grand-daughter, Ella, and the rest of the clan.I arrived on 2 July and just two days later attended the official July 4 celebrations, Santa Clara version. The occasion was rather like Australia Day, mainly an opportunity for informal family get-togethers and a little formal flag-waving - aided by some gorgeous weather. The event was held in some lovely parkland near Em and Greg's home, as the picture shows. Cmpare the green of the well-watered lawns with the light brown of scorched grass over the neighbouring hillsides! We selected lunch from a variety of food stalls, which we ate on the grass, and listened to a band playing in the distance.


After lunch we walked around the grounds listening to big bands playing, watching flag-waving / tossing a bit like one sees on the European mainland, and curiously looking at various cultural exhibits. The firs picture shows a high school band decked out in green livery, a group of flag-wavers, and an old California Highway Patrol vehicle. All told, it was a relaxing and interesting expereince.





AS

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