We wandered down the main street just in time to join locals in honoring ANZAC Day, a national day of remembrance to honor members of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) who fought at Gallipoli in Turkey during World War I. Now, ANZAC Day more broadly recognizes all those who died and served in military operations. Carnarvon's small population lined the town's main road for a parade and memorial service. Veterans march the street, a small band of horns play music, family and friends lay flower wreaths at the base of the town memorial in honor of loved ones. A chaplain leads the town in a moment of silence followed by prayer.
We spent the next few days hanging out at the corner auto shop and exploring the sleepy town of Carnarvon. Each morning, we ate breakfast perched on the trunk of our dead car outside the auto repair garage, followed by coffee at one of the town's two coffee shops. We spent most of our afternoons at the riverside park, relaxing in the sun and reading. We spoke with the mechanic on a regular basis, checking on the latest status of the car. Each evening we wandered to the Thirsty Camel Tavern to play pool and share brew with our new local friends.
