Melbourne Cup, a day of races!

Melbourne Cup is unlike any other Horse Race. Kentucky Derby has nothing on it. When the horse race is on, the nation stops. Our agency along with the rest of Australia stopped work and started partying around 1pm, 2 hours before the big race. In Melbourne, the Cup is a recognized holiday; all establishments close down for the day in anticipation of the race and ensuing party.

I made the mistake of trying to go to the post office this morning before work, only to be turned away by a sign that read, "Closed for Melbourne Cup."

At 1pm, our agency stopped all work and had a BBQ in our upstairs bar, along with endless rows of Champagne, shots, and liquor. A bit after 1pm, the CEO who had just gotten back to the office from the client meeting, exclaimed, "I just get back to the office, and there are still shots on the table, what kind of agency is this?!" Shortly before throwing the neatly packaged shots into the crowd. Although the horse race itself is all of 5 minutes long, the party lasts all day and into the night. A good excuse to end work early and enjoy a day of fun.

The weather outside today was well into the 90s, making it a perfect day to be on the roof top of Ogilvy enjoying the sun and fun.

I had never experienced anything like this, and was so glad to be in Australia for the big race! An experience unlike any other.