_ Multicultural moments
One of first visitors to the Gold Coast Street Library’s Tuesley Park branch was Petros, a broadly-smiling, not-too-tall, olive-skinned, stubble-faced chap, in his late 30s perhaps.
“Hello, I am Petros. Who are your names?”
Introductions all round.
So, are you Greek then, Petros?
“No, I am Persian.”
Can we help you with any particular type of book?
“No, I cannot read English.” He speaks it very well, however, having fled Iran a couple of years after the revolution and coming to Australia some time later.
"Well, we’ll have to look out for books in Persian.
From over the way comes a voice: “How about Polish?”
Victor is sitting on the fence, sharing a smoke and a chat with a mate.
Sorry, none of those either … but, we’ll try!
So Persian and Polish books now go on our seek list, along with marine biology and those by David Ray Griffin.
Such are the pleasurable challenges of the Gold Coast Street Library team.
Next to poke around the table is the exuberant Frenchie, who introduced himself last week. He’s in town from Darwin for a few weeks to spend Christmas with his adult children.
“Today is good and warm (28C) but some nights I have to put on a jumper,” he says with a grin. “I like the heat. I like Darwin. Very cosmopolitan. Lots of good people … who like having a good time … and laughing.
“They look after you up there. Public transport is free for those with pension cards. Can’t wait to get back.”
Frenchie has spotted a primary school atlas. “Good for me, easy to read,” he says.
He flips through and finds a map of South America, points to French Guiana and a smile splits his face like a watermelon slice.
“This … this is where I want to go,” he beams.
“Cheap to fly from France and if you have French passport, you no need to have visa to go to Brazil. I have Australian and French passports so no problem for me, hey!”
“My parents told me I’d end up a bum. I’ve been to many parts of the world. Not so bad for a bum, hey! And my kids, they all got through uni, so is all good.
“I like the atlas, the maps. I can see the places I been … and where I can go next, hey!”
Bon voyage, Frenchie. Glad we could help keep your dreams alive.
Anyone with Persian or Polish books to donate can contact the Gold Coast Street Library.
One of first visitors to the Gold Coast Street Library’s Tuesley Park branch was Petros, a broadly-smiling, not-too-tall, olive-skinned, stubble-faced chap, in his late 30s perhaps.
“Hello, I am Petros. Who are your names?”
Introductions all round.
So, are you Greek then, Petros?
“No, I am Persian.”
Can we help you with any particular type of book?
“No, I cannot read English.” He speaks it very well, however, having fled Iran a couple of years after the revolution and coming to Australia some time later.
"Well, we’ll have to look out for books in Persian.
From over the way comes a voice: “How about Polish?”
Victor is sitting on the fence, sharing a smoke and a chat with a mate.
Sorry, none of those either … but, we’ll try!
So Persian and Polish books now go on our seek list, along with marine biology and those by David Ray Griffin.
Such are the pleasurable challenges of the Gold Coast Street Library team.
Next to poke around the table is the exuberant Frenchie, who introduced himself last week. He’s in town from Darwin for a few weeks to spend Christmas with his adult children.
“Today is good and warm (28C) but some nights I have to put on a jumper,” he says with a grin. “I like the heat. I like Darwin. Very cosmopolitan. Lots of good people … who like having a good time … and laughing.
“They look after you up there. Public transport is free for those with pension cards. Can’t wait to get back.”
Frenchie has spotted a primary school atlas. “Good for me, easy to read,” he says.
He flips through and finds a map of South America, points to French Guiana and a smile splits his face like a watermelon slice.
“This … this is where I want to go,” he beams.
“Cheap to fly from France and if you have French passport, you no need to have visa to go to Brazil. I have Australian and French passports so no problem for me, hey!”
“My parents told me I’d end up a bum. I’ve been to many parts of the world. Not so bad for a bum, hey! And my kids, they all got through uni, so is all good.
“I like the atlas, the maps. I can see the places I been … and where I can go next, hey!”
Bon voyage, Frenchie. Glad we could help keep your dreams alive.
Anyone with Persian or Polish books to donate can contact the Gold Coast Street Library.
