A friend of a friend told me that Darwin was her favourite city. A colleague spent her first 2 years in Australia in Darwin. What is so enticing about this city? Its nature, history, people?
Who are they? Aboriginal People
I haven’t spoken much about Aboriginal people (the only other time was William Ricketts Sanctuary). Their stories are not prominent in cities like Melbourne or Sydney. They are mostly concealed in the Northern Territory / Central Australia. And by stories, I really mean the Aboriginal people themselves. I’ve not met any until I visit the Northern Territory.
Prior to my visit, I read a book named Tall Man, by Chloe Hooper. The novel documents a court case against a white Australian cop for murder of an Aboriginal man who died in custody. I learn a little about the Aboriginal history, how they were isolated in Palm Island and children were taken away from their parents for school. It is dark and the case / trial is even more grey. What is truth? And does truth really matter when the facts show otherwise?
I am not sure how I’d interact with Aboriginal people. I see pan handlers. My instinct: smile gently, walk on.
Once, I encounter an Aboriginal father and daughter in front of Coles supermarket. He asks whether he could sit on the same bench, refers to me as “sister”, and ushers her daughter to come meet me. I don’t know what his intentions are. Should I think he has intentions? As I continue writing my postcard, we exchange a few words, and I tell them I have dinner plans (it is true). We shake hands, I leave.
How do I feel? I wish I could befriend you instead of seeing you as stranger, but the truth is, I don’t know how to react. I fear.
I don’t have photos of the people. They are not for amusement.
What’s memorable? Picturesque Sunset
Lovely, ain’t it?
And here is pic of a funny game they play here in Australia: Crab Racing.
Next Post: Darwin, The Tour Begins
