While the Melbourne Cup, is a public holiday, only in Melbourne do people take the day off. But, everyone in Australia , has a day off for the annual cockroach races, partly because, the races take place, on Australia Day.
According to the story of cockroach racing, which started in 1981, two men, both, from Kangaroo Point, were arguing, at the bar, called the Story Ridge Hotel, about, which of their suburbs, was home to, the biggest cockroaches. Of course, what else.
I must add, that I am sure, since they were in a pub, they were drinking. Can we at least agree on that? Yeah, sure we can. We shall hence call them the two drunks.
So, these two drunks, to settle their dispute, caught a cockroach each, at home, on their own, and brought it to the pub.
Again, to catch, mind you, catch, a disgusting insect, like a roach, and they are big for the race, you have to be smashed, right? Bombed?
Bringing those gross things in was one thing but these delightful hammered men, proceeded to race them. No one knows why, no one knows what, prompted the decision to “race” the disgusting pests.
Now, the whole country makes this a holiday. And I thought, we Americans, come up with holidays to have days off. No Siree Bob, we do not even come close to this lovely and charming holiday that the whole of Australia celebrates together with races, beer, food, and fun in the sun.
Eeeeewwwwwwww!
If you do not believe me, read on. Here is a link, with pictures. 🙂