Our first Road Train Truck Driver (who never gave us his name). We were on our way to Litchfield during the late evening, and had stopped off at a blue P. We’d just finished a cup of coffee, when in pulled a road train hauling wide pipes. The three of us were ooohhhing and ahhhing while the driver went through a series of checks. I was commenting to Albert on the positive safety measures, when the driver came over and explained that his check was to ensure that the pipes didn’t go through his cab, again. Ahhh, learning safety measures by escaping near misses. It’s a better learning device than listening to the course on strapping your load down at truck school, I’m sure.
Our Road Train Driver had been all over the western and central part of Australia. Told us tips where to park if you wanted to go into Adelaide city, and it was actually his stories of sleeping with the cab open, that allowed us to leave the back door of our van open during the 2nd day of our commandeering of the Ambassador Van. Great tip!! (add mosquito coils and all is hunky dory)
Jeff and Kay, volunteers at the local information centre in Batchelor, NT, the gate way to Litchfield National Park. They’ve worked across Australia, and chose to live in Batchelor four years ago, after almost freezing to death down in Tassie. They shared stories from their work days in sheep stations, as Road Train drivers, as keen environmentalists, as well as their view on modern society and bringing up children with sound ethics. The tip about just needing a bucket to wash my hair in, will come in handy somewhere in this trip! Sooner rather than later, I guess.
In Darwin, on the day we left, we met The Flag Man, Ron. He was interested in Albert, coming from Catalonia, and invited us for a drink at the local RSL. His passion for flags helped us to see beyond the basics. ‘People kill for flags. Flags create all sorts of emotions; a sense of belonging, of pride, of war. They foster good will, enmity, change, revolution, sovereignty.’ His undeniable knowledge about geography and history was interwoven with diplomacy and sensitivity. He was in interesting man to listen to. Thanks for the beer Ron!
When you’re travelling, other travellers and helpful locals have the power to make you feel welcome. They are substitutes for your regular family and friends. When you meet people who are especially kind and helpful, they make their mark upon your memories on the move. So thank you to Jules and other helpful rangers in Litchfield national park. Its not just information, but the friendly way Jules and co interacted with us that left their mark. Thank you!
Glen Bambu A white man in black skin, with a foot in both worlds. Impressive for enthusiasm and vision. Things he said have impacted my spiritual growth in a positive way. There’s no words for that.
He spoke about his own spiritual growth, his vision, his life, his future. He said things that only make sense in the shadow of your mind and come back later. He helped us understand the basis for story telling and art, and dance and the didj within the indigenous community. But he told us with white words.
And he asked us ‘What is your view of Aboriginal people?, opening up a ravine filled with ghostly emotions. Guilt, forgiveness, sadness, loss, crying, helplessness, ignorance. There was a moment of total silence, when words couldn’t fill the space. He didn’t judge. I don’t’ think he honestly listened. He knew his response. He was sharing his self. ‘I’m proud.’
Some of his story was helpful. His finding his ‘Aboriginality’. His identification with his spiritual side. And its something we can do, being born of the world. We belong to both worlds. Earth, Spirit, Humanity. For honest organic fusion, to meet the demands of the future, we need people interacting with both. Who can see the sun, and the moon. Who can walk on the street, and see the spirit within. Who can feel the earth beneath their feet and feel that they are a conduct for the spirit.
I’m proud. Proud to be born in this country. Proud to be human. Proud to walk the earth, smell the air, to hear the words, to write the stories, to see the beauty, to dance with life.
To Glen! Living in both worlds. Speaking as a translator for both.
