Getting to the MCG was easy, once landing in Melbourne; I got the bus into central station, then a tram through to the stadium and went on the tour. We started by going around the inner circle of the seats showing us the pitch and where various seating stands are located.
From there we moved on down into the lower levels, including the indoor cricket training centre, which can be seen when going to a bar or food outlet, and the media rooms where the commentators and radio announcers sit.
The dressing rooms were fascinating where the players prepare before a match, the tunnel that they run through onto the pitch. Once we walked around the pitch in the middle we went up into the Members area.
This was a great part of the tour. (side note: when babies are born they are put on the waiting list to become a member) we saw the long room with many signed bats by famous cricketers and AFL balls from various teams through the years.
There was a photo of Don Bradman & Sachin Tendulkar, signed by the both of them with the negative destroyed. There was a lot of items that are basically irreplaceable and worth a lot of money.
We also went into the Members library, which can be accessed during the tea break at cricket, and half time when the footy is playing. There is a book that is not allowed to be handled by anyone and is in a glass cabinet, it is a book from 1611 that has the first written reference to a game like cricket.
Upon leaving the members area we went down into sports museum and saw a whole wall full of baggy green caps and shirts from famous Australian victories.
There was also the history of the AFL teams and the 2013 trophy which will be awarded at the end of September.
By this time they asked me to leave as they were closing up, I saw everything you could but it was just too interesting to exit. I then headed on over to the conference and finished my time as a tourist in Melbourne.
Meeting so many of the Christian Today young writers for the first time made my weekend a memorable one. The commitment they all have to the Lord is phenomenal and a joy to my heart to be part of this movement.
Christopher Archibald lives in Sydney and is an under-graduate student.
Christopher Archibald's previous articles may be viewed at www.pressserviceinternational.org/christopher-archibald.html