[slideshow] At the beginning of a 2011 trip to Oz, Blonde and Brunette cashed in some Starwood points and enjoyed three free nights at the Westin in Melbourne. The Westin is in the central business district near Flinders Street train station, groovy bricked alleyways with small cafes and the city’s Visitor Center. It is not in an area that brings the Bible to mind (fortunately, from Blonde’s perspective.)
Many passers-by were tattooed, pierced, wearing unfortunate, yet intentional, attire and possessing of a range of improbable, unflattering and undesirable hair colors. The others were primarily standard issue White business people. In the midst of this hub of funk and capitalism What Would Jesus Do?
The answer is he would appear, at the entrance to the Westin, and have a full red-beard, goofy smile, well-groomed donkey and a small, grinning, quivering dog with exceptional balancing skills.
Blonde and Brunette were heading out to get some breakfast when they found Jesus. Literally.
Although more interested in getting food than in being saved, the sister duo nevertheless stopped for a Jesus photo-op and to ponder the unknowable – WTF???
Jesus was not at all pesky about trying to convert us, however, as he didn’t do the whole loaves and fishes thing pronto, he failed to hold our interest. You have to whip out a miracle ASAP to catch the attention of two hungry American tourists.
After not particularly enjoying a $23 USD breakfast from the elite international eatery Subway, Blonde and Brunette headed off for the day’s adventures. On the way to Flinders Street Station we encountered Jesus for a second time. A less spiritually obtuse pair may have seen this as a “sign”. Our reaction was once more- WTF???
Later, after having gotten thoroughly trapped on the wrong side of the Yarra river due to some annoying charity race, B&B were wearily making our way back to the Westin when, once again, we spotted Jesus and his animal companions.
This time Jesus was hanging out at the tail-end of a group of priests (could do a lot with that phrase but trying to take the highish-road) who were holding a public Palm Sunday service in front of the Visitors’ Center.
It has to be tough to be Jesus in Melbourne.
First two American women encounter you twice and seek no more than a digital image. Then you are a bit player relegated to the fringes of a religious observation.
He must have yearned for the good old days of celebrants offering palm branches of peace.
Or maybe he just wished he’d brought a tip jar.