Just for Fun

We went to Luna Park for the first time in about 5 years. As soon as I hit Coney Island, I am immediately flooded with memories from when I was 5. For my fifth birthday I got to go to Luna Park. This was my present, and also instead of a party. I explain this to my kids, who look at me blankly as if I'm speaking a strange language - 'What? With no friends? Just you and your family???'.

My daughter, who is 4, was not allowed to ride any of the rides that I loved as a just turned 5 year old (Modern safety standards differ greatly these days). I love the Turkey Trot, purely because as a little child, too scared of most rides, I thought this was so much fun, and that I was awfully grown up and brave to go on it.

My favourite is the spinning wheel (known in the '70's by a far less PC name), for the joyous memory it evokes - I adored that ride. As a kid we all crammed onto it - big, small, as many people as could fit. Now it's far more orderly, but still the same fun.

I remember getting lost in the mirror maze and crying (seems impossible now, seeing the size of it through adult eyes).

I remember feeling so clever getting myself through the Barrel of Fun.

I also remember my Mum not doing any of the rides - she'd just watch. Our Dad would join in with us. What happened between her generation and ours? What suddenly changed and we decide to join in with our kids (or not miss out on the fun, as I think is actually the thought process behind it)?

Nowadays, my favourite is the giant slides - and as my 4 year old could ride them, we spent much of the day going up those stairs and down the slides.

The heritage cartoons are still on the walls - part of me likes the reminder of how far we have come, part of me is horrified at how racist and sexist we were, and that it was deemed okay to publicly display.

Outside, as the kids waited to be escorted onto the Tango train, I remember the mad scramble as a kid - they'd open the gate and you'd run to find a carriage on whatever ride you wanted to get on. Like a mass musical chairs.

All in all, we had a ball. I love that it hasn't changed so much, that it triggers those strong memories from almost 40 years ago. I'm a little saddened that our kids are so over indulged that these 'treats' are nothing special to them, that everything is taken in their stride. Yet I'm the only one to blame for that.

When were you last at Luna Park? Did you ever go as a child? What do you love about it?

Linking up with some Grace for FYBF

PS This is not a sponsored post, but I did win tickets from Seana Smith - so THANK YOU! It needs to be said, there is no better view in Sydney than aloft the Ferris Wheel...