Just and odd shot

[Flagpole]

G'day gents! I'll be absolutely honest to say I'm not much of a photographer, but I would appreciate any constructive comments on this image:

http://www.users.bigpond.net.au/bfeldman/bg_sydney.jpg

I've took it in Sydney's Botanic Gardens. The original is in colour and was taken by Canon G2. Due to the metering it was quite difficult for me with my limited skills to get most of the image properly exposed so as to still capture writing on the bamboo and get most of the details on the background. So I ended up using 420EX flash and bouncing it off the subject. I know that the top right came out over exposed somewhat and it would ahve been better to play around with the flash exposure.

I've removed the colour in PS7 and played with contrast to get a more darker dramatic finish. Otherwise the image was left untouched.

However does anyon have any comments on the composition and subject and does it make for an eye-catching image?

Flagpole
Sydney, Australia

P.S. A colour original can be seen here:
http://www.users.bigpond.net.au/bfeldman/bg_sydneyC.jpg

[henkbos]

Before giving any comments it would be nice to know what YOUR purpose of this picture was. You know the scene and might have an emotional bonding with it.
To me the composition is not quite right.:
- you want to capture the writing on the bamboo, yet nothing is readable.
- there is a lady walking on the street that takes away attention from the rest. Was is supposed to be a candid shot?
- then there is the rest of the street, not very interesting to me.
I think you try to capture too much in one shot. Keep is simple and take it from there!