A Vacation Story
Task D
Some say Australia is a dangerous place. So far from the western world, yet so developed and so captivating. Tourists often find themselves entranced by its majestic and treacherous wilderness. On one side, beaches as far as the eye can see, where white, soft beds of sand invite visitors to a place of harmony far from the trivialities of everyday life. Yet, just beyond the horizon, mere miles inland, one can find Australia’s desolate outback; an orange like, mystifying desert rich in all sorts of things; kangaroos skipping lightly across barren open areas of a hard, rocky surface and sometimes bits of green forests populated by snakes and all sorts of horrifying creatures. I would know, because I’m the one who decided to travel to the damn place.
After hearing my colleagues glorifying the place for so long I finally decided on Australia as my next holiday destination. At one particular moment however, I deeply regretted my decision. I had been on a guided tour through the wilderness; you know, to see the sights and to get some impressions. It was only my second day in and already things were starting to look like trouble.
The van I was travelling with had obeyed the driver happily all the way from Darwin and about halfway back, yet for the last mile or so the vehicle had started to make some funny, stuttering noises. The driver, an aboriginal, started cursing as the van finally broke down somewhere along the narrow road leading back to Darwin. The engine let off thick clouds of steam as the driver popped the hood in search of the error.
Apart from myself, one other person was on the tour; an Englishman, probably in his 50’s with a short, white beard and rather tired facial features. He sported a beige s...
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...tion of the sun still lingered above the horizon, I walked by the sign saying “welcome to Darwin” with the housetops of the suburbs appearing in the distance. I was soaked with sweat, yet the only thing I wanted was to get back to my hotel, take a shower and go to bed and hopefully forget about this stupid wilderness tour I just had to experience.
Then, just before I reached the first few buildings, I heard a faint buzz in the distance. I turned around, exhausted, and peered down the road. Unbelievably, that same stupid van that was supposed to be broken came whizzing towards me. I just glared stupidly at it as it flew past me, not quite believing what just happened. After a few seconds I simply screamed “God dammit!” as what just happened finally sunk in. With my mouth wide open and eyebrows raised, at that moment I just thought: “Next time, I’ll go to Greece”.
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The Australian Aborigines society is relatively well known in Western society. They have been portrayed accurately and inaccurately in media and film. Dr. Langton has attempted to disprove common myths about the infamous Australian society, as has her predecessors, the Berndt’s, and National Geographic author, Michael Finkel; I will attempt to do the same.
“a verse for the cheated” discusses the effects of colonialism in Australia. The poem suggests the the European invaders or “tourists” arrive and are ignorant in respect to the Indigenous Australians.
But familiar landmarks and also the unfamiliar ones aren't the whole make-up of Australia's heritage. It's the people that make a difference. Australia is made up of people from all walks of life who have migrated here for different reasons. Among these, the most common migrants are from Greece, Italy, Russia and Asia. Australia is made up of material culture: the places and objects, but also Living culture: In forms such as Music, Crafts, Literature etc. It is an interplay between international cultures and beliefs, the claims of nationalism and ethnic and religious traditions, as well as the local and community priorities that’s make up the unique Australian heritage.
As he looked at the picture, his eyes welled up with tears. It was a picture of him with his little sister, whom he would never play with again. Being only nine years old, he had not been through the deaths of any family members, except for his grandma he never even met, who passed away only months after he was born. But this tragedy turned him into an emotional wreck, as he would never be with his four year old sister again. It all happened in a heartbeat, he woke up on the first day of Spring Break and found his little sister lying silent in her bed, not breathing. And now, two days later, he finds himself at her funeral. The picture that stood out was of him and his sister showing off the vegetables they had picked in their garden
Reynolds, H. (1990). With The White People: The crucial role of Aborigines in the exploration and development of Australia. Australia: Penguin Books
Ancient Aboriginals were the first people to set foot on the Australian continent, over 40,000 years or more before Colonization (Eckermann, 2010). They survived by hunting and gathering their food, worshipping the land to protect its resources, and ensuring their survival. The aboriginal community had adapted to the environment, building a strong framework of social, cultural, and spiritual beliefs (Eckermann, 2010).
- What/how does it tell us about living in Australia during times past? (100 - 150 words)
Historical accounts have often overlooked the more violent aspects of Australia’s colonisation (Watson 2002, p. 6). This approach to Australian historiography presents a whitewashed view of the past. Within this essay, is a critical analysis and comparison of two representations of the frontier conflicts of Australia. The historical texts reviewed in this paper, Through Their Eyes (Lakic & Wrench 1994) and Rivers of Blood (Medcalf 1995), examine darker elements of Australia’s history and recognise the experiences of Indigenous people. They belong to a modern historiography that extends beyond the proud, patriotic and pleasantly sanitised view of Australia’s dominant culture to explore how the events of Australia’s colonisation impacted people’s
Although partially true in its time, the Australian bush legend fades more and more as time progresses. The Australian identity of the 1890s was not the same as it was in the 1950s, nor do we have the same self-image today, as portrayed in 'The Australian Legend'. Recent statistics show that we work longer hours and drink far less then we used to. Many more Australians go to the beach than to the bush and despite the iconic male bushman, for most men and women in Australia the beach is far more central to our identity and lives, as the majority of the population lives closer to our coastal shores.
...in their hunting lands in the condition their prey species preferred, they are also thought to be possibly, at least partially, responsible for the spread of dry eucalypt forests after their arrival, because this type of vegetation is fire-resistant.” The use of this type of farming not only helped the Aborigine survive for tens of thousands of years but, it was also a key method in changing the Australian landscape and agricultural practices of the entire world. While the Aborigines can be praised for their sustainable practices and deep spirituality, this is not always the treatment they receive. Over the past century, the aborigines have been met with much criticism and racism from the developing and modern world.
Famous for its dangerous predators, arid landscape, unique indigenous art, culture, and remarkable reefs, it feels as though everything on Australia has been said and done. This new four-part series on Nat Geo Wild however, endeavors to show the continent in a new light. In this visual extravaganza, Wild Australia will document the lives of the nation’s most iconic – and secretive – animals. From the brightly colored cassowary to Australia’s beloved tree-kangaroo, dingo and platypus, this show gives you the chance to witness the extraordinary lives of these exceptional, versatile animals like never before.
This is an incredible paragraph extracted from Bora Ring. This poem depicts perfectly of the European invasion of Australia. It shows how the traditions and stories are gone, how the hunting and rituals are gone and ‘lost in an alien tale’, the Europeans being the aliens. This poem also describes that it seemed as if the tradition of Aborigines was ‘breathed sleeping and forgot’. These are powerful words Judith Wright used to show how they Aborigines were quickly invaded and ‘forgotten’. This poem is an excellent example of why Australian students should study her poetry.
there was no possible fishing hole in sight. All I could see was a river
Throughout someone’s life they will go to many places with their family, friends, another relatives. I have been on a few vacations that have made a lasting impact on my life. But one of the most memorable vacations I have experienced was with my cousins. I went to goa beach. Most of you probably don’t know about that beach but it is a very famous one in south India. I enjoyed myself to the fullest. The beach environment was enlightening. I would not have wanted to take this trip with anyone other than my cousins. We had a great time on the ocean sands and swimming in the ocean everyday made this vacation unforgettable.
My most memorable family vacation took place two years ago. We went to Corsica, a French island situated in the south of France right next to Italy. I remembered waking up early excited to visit this new land. Used to take long flights, I was surprised to arrive to the destination after a one-hour flight. Even though the flight was short for me, it was stressful for my mom, she has never felt secured in a plane, probably due to the fact that she is afraid of height. When finally arrived at the destination, the dry and warm weather was there to welcome us. We all felt relief, and knew that this was the beginning of the summer. Excited, we had a lot of activities planned for the few weeks, me and my father could not wait to dive in the clear