Serendipity again

Today we went over to Ardeer, in Sunshine, now the closest Costco to 505.  It took about 30 minutes to drive there, and we didn't get lost once (unlike the previous place in Docklands where we got seriously lost every time).  Once in the building no serendipity in the queue out, which looked like hell.

Cutting to the chase, when we had finished shopping Frances said she would join said queue while I went and fill up with diesel.  At 154  cents per litre it was way better than most prices and I was able to fill the Mazda and get another park before she had got started at the checkout!

The place was vast: far bigger that the one at Canberra Airport and very crowded.  I am tempted to say we added to ethnic diversity by introducing Anglos to the mix, but that might be a slight exaggeration. It was a very diverse crowd.  All the usual stuff was there and a few more things.   I have never before seen a slab of cheese costing a Grand: at $26.67/kg it was definitely pricey.
Having negotiated that reason for our trip, the only thing of interest I had noted in the area was the mosque next door.  Their website seemed quite welcoming but I hadn't contacted them about visiting and thought we'd scout around when we got there.  Here is the building - 17 domes and the minaret. 
It appeared to be closed up but we wandered around outside noting this interesting sign ...
.. and some windows (with tulips)...
... and a door (with another sign).
As we got nearly back to the car I found another door which was open, leading to an area with many shoe racks.  A bloke appeared from the prayer hall and I asked if I could have a look inside the prayer hall.  Certainly, and Frances could come too.  She was initially going to the women's gallery but I suspect they couldn't find the key so we were invited to take seats at the back of the hall while prayers were held.  The Imam was away and a member of the congregation who knew the meaning of the Scripture in detail led the service.  We spoke with several of the congregation and they were all very welcoming, seeming to be very pleased that we were interested in their mosque and their community.

Here is the roof of the prayer hall.  The colours are those traditional in Turkish mosques and this one was founded by a Turkish Cypriot community in the area.  
It is traditional for prayer halls to include a large Chandelier.  In this case it is engraved with quotations from the Quran: the guy who was explaining things to us said he could read the Arabic script and understand the basic meaning but not the detail which others including the Imam knew.
The pattern on the floor was interesting as the lines marked off a personal space for each worshipper.  We watched the prayers in silence noting the number times they knelt and rose: after the service the leader spoke with us explaining that they have to bow 4 times but in this group they had done 3 more for added devotion.
It really was an excellent experience, primarily down to the attitude of the people.  


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