The Sydney Opera House - A True Story From A Fellow Traveler

I arrived in Sydney six days ago and while I've been writing furiously it was only yesterday that I finally managed to gather my thoughts along with my notes and begin piecing together something that might be interesting to read. After a few hours focusing on my impressions of Sydney Harbour, I packed up my laptop was headed to my stateroom to upload the finished product. Feeling quite pleased with myself and deserving of a reward for my work, I stopped at a bar to order an afternoon beverage. While waiting for my drink, I began a casual conversation with a lovely woman from Sydney. As sometimes happens, our exchange of pleasantries lead into a real discussion and I soon realized that her stories of the iconic Opera House were much more interesting and authentic than the mere impressions of a first time tourist so I did what any would be writer would do and I started over.

The woman's name is Beth and based on her story I would estimate that she is probably in her early 70's but she looks much younger. Well dressed and attractive she had a bright smile and her eyes glimmered behind her glasses. As we were each ordering drinks we introduced ourselves and she told me that she was from Sydney and had lived there her whole life. She then asked me, as a visitor, what I thought of her city. I replied that "It was absolutely enchanting." I went on to explain how in my travels I've been fortunate enough to visit many iconic buildings, the Colosseum, Eifel Tower, Empire State Building, and others. Each time I would feel an internal sense of gratitude that I was able to see these historical landmarks. I would snap a few photos from various angles trying to get the perfect shot.  Maybe if the timing was right I would take a guided tour and marvel at the architecture and engineering and then I would move on to the next tourist site on my "must see" list. However, from my perspective the Sydney Opera House was different.

I had heard the story about how the design was inspired by ships sails and I had seen countless pictures over the years but none of that prepared me for what it looked like close up and in person.  In a word, I found it to be magnificent.  It took up so much space and every angle was completely different.   I found an empty bench by the water, sat down and just looked at it for a long time.   There have been natural wonders that I’ve felt like I could look at forever, the Grand Canyon in Arizona, the fairy chimneys in Cappadocia, Paradise Bay in Antarctica all come to mind but I don’t think I ever felt similarly about a building. The longer I sat there staring, the more difficult it became to tear myself away.

As I told Beth my impressions her eyes lit up and she said, "That is so wonderful to hear, it is a remarkable structure and Jorn Utzon is a national hero." (Utzon was the Danish architect who designed the building.) She then went on to share her story with me.

Beth was born and raised in Sydney and was attending an all girls school down by the harbor when the construction began on the Opera House in 1957. Initially, the plans estimated that the building would take four years to complete. The plans were wrong. It took over 14 years before it was finished.

Year after year as the building was slowly constructed, gradually rising from the ground, Beth had a view from the window of her classroom in a colonial building across the harbor. As the time passed the delays continued, the costs began to skyrocket. Many citizens became concerned and questioned whether the project was worth the costs. The government became involved and was considering abandoning the project. However, not everyone was convinced that this was a foolish folly and Beth was among the crowd of protestors picketing in front of the site to allow the construction to continue. Now a young woman, this building that was once only an idea was now a tangible symbol of a modern Australia.

Shortly before the building was completed in 1973, Beth had met and married her husband. The two of them shared a love of travel and spent holidays exploring the world. First as a young couple and later with their children. She told me about their early trips to Bali then visiting the great cities of Europe and eventually exploring the United States. Beth has a clear love of art, architecture and history and I found myself mesmerized by her stories.

Conversation then returned to the Opera House. Over the years the Opera House became the place to go on New Year's Eve. Throngs of people would gather in front to watch the fireworks over Harbour Bridge. A tradition akin to New Year's Eve in Time Square. But inside, there is the annual New Year's Gala. A formal event with a gourmet dinner, champagne, private entertainment and the most amazing view of the fireworks at midnight. For years, she and her husband talked about attending the gala just once, for the experience, to create a special and unique memory. Several years ago they finally did attend and she painted the picture of a magical night in a special place that was part of her personal history.

Beth lost her husband last year after 50 years of marriage. She decided to take this cruise alone to visit a place in New Zealand that she and her husband always talked about going to but never managed to get around to it. She said that she has friends in the country that she might stop and see but she isn't sure yet. For now she just wants to continuing living and exploring the world and let each day take her where it will. I think I met a kindred spirit today and for that I feel very blessed. The world is indeed a amazing place but it is the people that we meet a long the way that help us to grow in our own journey.

Eventually I may rework my original post on the wonders of Sydney Harbour and my enchanted afternoon exploring the restaurants, shops and wharfs. It truly is an unforgettable place made even more so by a spontaneous conversation with an amazing woman.