Erik Skye Travel Blog

10 Jan 2012

For the map, click here: Google Maps – Wizard of Oz

Car’s trip odometer: 5,340 clicks (km)

Pastel colors in shades of red, green, and yellow; low-hanging, fluffy, broken clouds (brilliant white on top, dark grey on bottom); soft sunlight filtering through and falling easily on the landscape; rolling hills, old barbed-wire fences, dirty brown grazing sheep and cattle; clear air with light winds blowing grass tops; an old metal windmill spinning off in the distance; some gum trees dotting the countryside; a farm house with outbuildings in a pocket of gums beyond shimmering warmed air rising from orange freshly-tilled field soil (is it a mirage?).   That’s how it was my first morning in the state of South Australia - until I reached the west side of the South Flinders Range where a bush fire had just burned everything to the ground.

‘Pardon, but do you – ah, oh my, um – do you know… ah, know where I can find Wi-Fi?” I stammered. She replied somehow, but I don’t think I heard a word, for all I could think about were the beautiful emerald eyes into which I was gazing. I said some more, and she said some more, but I have no recollection what our words might have been. All I could think about were those pretty green eyes. Finally, I snapped out of it, sort of, and began to percieve the spoken word.

Her name is Sarah, and I met her in Orroroo (one of the loveliest little towns in Australia when you factor in the setting described in the opening paragraph). Sarah is pretty, sweet, and a pleasure to talk with. I met her mother Kathy too, and we chatted about the community, some of it’s history, and the possibility of me visiting their property later in my trip. I wanted to know the origin of Sarah’s eyes and asked if she was Irish. But Kathy is of English decent (born in Australia), and Sarah's father is too (born in England).

As I pulled up to the beach of Whyalla, I noticed two figures way out on the tidal flats. It was an irresistible photo opportunity, and I quickly jumped out of the car with my telephoto lens. As they got closer, I could see they were two Asian women with some type of pitch forks and carts with Styrofoam wheels. Finally we were together talking, and I learned they were out crabbing. ‘Want to see,’ one asked, pulling a piece of cotton fabric from the top of a heap of beautiful, multi-colored crabs that filled her cart. ‘Ah, yeah you bet,’ I responded, lifting the camera to my eye.

These two are Filipino sisters named Naty and Rosie, and they’ve lived in Australia for 18 years. When I gave them the website address to this blog, they seemed excited at the thought of forwarding it so that overseas relatives could see pictures of them here in Australia. When I told Naty and Rosie how I was travelling in Australia, Rosie said ‘good thing you’re not where we come from’ (referencing hostage taking for extortion). ‘Okay, but I don’t need to worry here do I,’ I replied. ‘Mmmm,’ sounded Rosie, shaking her head affirmatively. I told them not to worry as ‘I could handle it’, explaining some of my strategies and techniques to be street smart. I then thought ‘gosh - they’re mothering me!’ Later, I paid extra attention to my surroundings for fear that someone was out there to get me. 

For the song of the day, click here (let website load briefly, then click orange “play” next to title):  Tennis - Origins

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