tourism – everydaysparks

OK, I’ll admit it – I’m a bit of a Kennedy nut. I own a lot of books about them and find that whole dynasty fascinating. Although, to put my cards on the table, I’m a much bigger fan of Robert Kennedy than JFK. Bobby wasn’t the pin-up boy of the clan, but from what we know of him, he was a really good man. Whatever your personal opinion of them as individuals, there is no doubt that they were a pretty incredible family. Descendants of Irish Catholic immigrants made good – really good, if you rate the election of the youngest-ever US President as a success. And the youngest-ever US Attorney General (Bobby).

JFKoutside — Here it is…And that sky is not PhotoShopped, I promise.

When you add it all up, you can see how the Kennedys have been the fodder for so many books and films and telemovies (argh, Katie Holmes as Jackie Kennedy): a father and three brothers reaching very senior levels in US politics, tons of children, some very interesting women who were born into or married into the family, significant controversies & scandals & tragedies. Not to mention Marilyn Monroe, some major moments in US history, their Catholic faith, a super-stylish First Lady and a domineering dad. Anyways, lots of stories to tell from before, during and after JFK’s presidency and so I was super excited to visit the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum in Boston – it was #1 on my itinerary.

JFKlobby — The lobby, with stunning views of the ocean & the city in the distance.

The Museum was outstanding and even better than I’d hoped – in a beautiful location, with incredible attention to small details and a great collection of memorabilia. Starting with a movie (in a theatre, if you don’t mind) to provide some background on the early years of JFK, in his own words, then moving through brilliantly set up exhibits depicting the election, life in the 60s, the inauguration (with seats set up so you can watch the whole thing on a big screen – since it was a freezing cold day back then, this is a much more comfortable way to see it), the Cuban Missile Crisis and the assassination.

JFKview — Yep, that’s the view from the lobby. Sorry the iPhone pic is a bit wonky looking.

There was a room dedicated to the too-often-overlooked Bobby Kennedy and a room with more info on others in the family. So interesting – even if you’re not a Kennedy nut, there’s enough personal material, video footage and realistic room settings to keep your attention.

JFKflag — The giant flag hanging from the glass atrium in the lobby.

And I was lucky to strike a new addition – a Jackie Kennedy exhibit, including quotes from interviews she gave to a family friend in her latter years, personal video footage and photos, dresses and amazing gifts from leaders all over the world. Incredible stuff.

JFKvoting — Recreating the excitement of the election.

Anyways, I’m mindful that this might be like re-telling a dream, which is always more fun if you actually witnessed it first hand. So, I’ll stop now. But please make sure that you add this to your itinerary if you’re in Boston!

JFKbrothers — And, last but not least, a wall-sized version of my favourite photo of JFK & RFK. I would totes love this in my home.

It’s really tough to explain Gnomesville in Western Australia. Surely one of the most bizarre places I’ve ever been and I’m so grateful to my brother and sister-in-law for adding it to the itinerary when I visited Perth last year. Down a small side road, surrounded by bushland and farms, Gnomesville is another world. Its impossible to capture the scale of it with my limited photographic skills, but trust me when I say it covers a very large area. Just when you think you’ve passed the last gnome grotto, you’ll notice a little weather-beaten sign and yet another collection of slightly worse-for-wear little statues. There are bridges and hills creating sort of gnome-y neighbourhoods, often with their own theme and signage. And often pretty creepy.

There are more bad gnome puns than you can poke a stick at – mostly hand-painted on (sometimes quite elaborate) signs. And that’s probably what surprised me the most: the pre-meditation of Gnomesville tourism. I felt very slack turning up without a bunch of gnomes (tattooed with the names of my family) – like a vegetarian at a butcher’s BBQ or an unmanicured Kardashian, I was feeling unprepared and out of place. Clearly, people carefully plan their visits to Gnomesville – gathering their gnomes, preparing their puns, slapping up their signs and then ensuring that they find just the right part of the village to house their little friends.

And, just like anywhere else in Australia, there is a real mix of characters: from South African and Kiwi gnomes, to dodgy looking gnomes in trailers and on bikes, to a big group of scantily clad girlie gnomes, to gnomes commemorating anniversaries and births and all sorts of families. And a DJ gnome, a Doctor gnome (presumably to staff the gnome hospital, where they seem to throw all the broken pieces of gnome) and some interlopers like frogs and bears that are wannabe gnomes trying to fit into the neighbourhood.There is even a tin of Spam on display in a wooden frame attached to a tree trunk. It’s that kind of place.

So if you’re travelling around WA, it’s definitely worth stopping at Gnomesville for a unique experience of life in an alternate universe – where you are giant-sized, gnomes drive cars and run hospitals, puns abound and you start debating the relative attractiveness of little plaster statues with glasses or pointy hats. But be warned – it can get a bit overwhelming and creepy and mess with your head – so whatever you do, don’t camp there overnight. Lest you venture past the point of gnome return (dammit, see what I mean?) and become part of the madness…

Tag: tourism

Getting close to JFK in Boston

Welcome to Gnomesville