Three months in and I’ve finally experienced the quintessential Australian Outback experience, complete with red dirt roads, boomerangs, and poisonous insects.
Last week, the entire ND crew shipped out to the Kimberly region up far up north in Western Australia for a mandatory 5-day field trip to learn about Aboriginal culture for our Australian History class.
Yet, this was no ordinary field trip.
We spent those five days roughing it in the Outback: sleeping in open tents under the stars, chatting around the fire and embracing a new level of dirtiness/sweatiness. We met Aboriginal elders who taught us about certain indigenous spiritual practices and we held candid discussions about current socio-economic problems within the region. We embraced our outdoorsy side by mud crabbing in mangroves forests and off-roading on sand dunes. We even rode camels while watching the sunset on one of Australia’s most scenic beaches.
Yet, this was no ordinary field trip.
We spent those five days roughing it in the Outback: sleeping in open tents under the stars, chatting around the fire and embracing a new level of dirtiness/sweatiness. We met Aboriginal elders who taught us about certain indigenous spiritual practices and we held candid discussions about current socio-economic problems within the region. We embraced our outdoorsy side by mud crabbing in mangroves forests and off-roading on sand dunes. We even rode camels while watching the sunset on one of Australia’s most scenic beaches.
I entered the Kimberly having few expectations, but I left having been transformed on many levels. A few things I took away were:
· Appreciation for the simple things in life, like a good campfire, special friendships, and the stars in the night sky.
· Increased sensitivity to life’s complexities and how they can ravage communities (like racism, substance abuse, etc.).
· Awareness of the importance of ancestral history and kinship ties across generations.
· Respect for the raw beauty of nature.
· How to get off the clock and enter “Broome time” where the time of day is gauged by the sun’s position in the sky and the hunger-level of your stomach.
Feeling blessed on so many levels,
Maggie
· Appreciation for the simple things in life, like a good campfire, special friendships, and the stars in the night sky.
· Increased sensitivity to life’s complexities and how they can ravage communities (like racism, substance abuse, etc.).
· Awareness of the importance of ancestral history and kinship ties across generations.
· Respect for the raw beauty of nature.
· How to get off the clock and enter “Broome time” where the time of day is gauged by the sun’s position in the sky and the hunger-level of your stomach.
Feeling blessed on so many levels,
Maggie