outback memories
Scottie Bowman (bowman@mail.indigo.ie)
Fri, 27 Mar 1998 13:17:06 +0000
I'm amazed at what Camille tells us about herself. I'd hate
to let this become personal, but any Ozzies I ever met were
a quite extraordinary colour - certainly not apricot pink. All of
them, in fact, had this curious earthen tint with white & yellow
streaks painted over their faces. Really rather weird. I've always
found them a pretty embarassing bunch altogether, actually -
not least when they hunker down & start scrabbling around in
the garden, hunting (as I'm told) for ants.
On one occasion, I remember, a small group we had invited to
a literary evening insisted we all go outside to squat round a fire
they had prepared - & made us listen for several hours to folk
chants accompanied by a somewhat monotonous playing on
their collection of wooden tubes & boxes. This introduction
to Australian culture at its most typical has left an indelible
memory.
On another occasion, Germaine Greer invited me - with a guarantee
of personal safety - to a man-shredding party. I could see
something was not quite right when GG welcomed me into her hallway
wearing her cork-rimmed hat - & nothing else except a huge panga
swinging from a thong on her hip. No one will be surprised to learn
that I quickly made my excuses & left.
I yield to no one in my admiration for all native cultures.
At least, in theory. I eagerly await Camille's & Lesley's
confirmation that my experiences with their compatriots from
down under have not been unique.
Scottie B.