Desert Perspectives
Being in Alice Springs has offered a different perspective on our desert experiences around Uluru and Watarrka, as well as Yuendumu. We visited the “Desert Park” in Alice and realised how sterile a zoo can be, and what it does to you when you visit. We raced around all the exhibits, seeing animals in captivity and being annoyed when they were off hiding somewhere. If we didn’t see what we wanted, we quickly pushed on to the next one.
In the desert, our attitude was different. We were not conscious of time, and much more aware of the surrounds and alert for its inhabitants. We didn’t ‘push on’ so readily if we didn’t see what we were expecting, but were often surprised by the creatures we did encounter – wild camels, wild horses, birds of many varieties (black cockatoos, wedge-tailed eagles, kestrel hawks, peregrine falcons, honeyeaters, and Mistletoe birds among others), kangaroos and wallaby, lizards and NO SNAKES! Rather than being an ‘observer’ of the desert, we found ourselves to be a part of it. Not consumers but integrally related.
We have enjoyed exploring both East and West MacDonnell Ranges, and are heading north tomorrow, first stop Devil’s Marbles. Thanks for all the comments and feedback. We have loved hearing from you all. Only ten weeks to go?!?!?!!@#
In the desert, our attitude was different. We were not conscious of time, and much more aware of the surrounds and alert for its inhabitants. We didn’t ‘push on’ so readily if we didn’t see what we were expecting, but were often surprised by the creatures we did encounter – wild camels, wild horses, birds of many varieties (black cockatoos, wedge-tailed eagles, kestrel hawks, peregrine falcons, honeyeaters, and Mistletoe birds among others), kangaroos and wallaby, lizards and NO SNAKES! Rather than being an ‘observer’ of the desert, we found ourselves to be a part of it. Not consumers but integrally related.
We have enjoyed exploring both East and West MacDonnell Ranges, and are heading north tomorrow, first stop Devil’s Marbles. Thanks for all the comments and feedback. We have loved hearing from you all. Only ten weeks to go?!?!?!!@#
posted by revheard at 9:01 pm
2 Comments:
Hey guys - looks as though you are having a great trip - Ev I am glad to see that you are still smiling and hope that this state will continue thorughout the trip. I just got back from Sydney on Wednesday. Had quite a trip and will tell more at another time.
Thnking of you all
Blessings
Christine
We had a similar experience in Vanuatu - after spending a few days in remote villages on the island of Tanna, we came back to the tourist resorts of Port Vila and found their "cultural experiences" to be somewhat ludicrous. Am enjoying reading of your journey very much - particularly like your writing style, Ev!
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