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Ambiance

Lay of the Land

Backpacker Scene

Ambiance

The most endearing attribute of Australia is the enlightened attitude of it's people. Australia doesn't exactly have a rich cultural heritage outside of the indigenous Aboriginal peoples, but the country does have a unique and genuine feel to it. It's a feeling of contentment, happiness, and genuine humility. The people have a zest for celebrating life. Work is seen only as a means to sustain the celebration of life, not a reward in itself. Life in Australia is about living and wealth is measured in terms of social currency, not material possessions.

The Australian people are extraordinarily friendly. This is likely in part due to the fact that there's only nineteen million of them, so they don't have many of the problems that accompany overpopulation. Australian pubs seem to serve as the gathering place for everybody. Refreshingly, there is little pretentiousness among Australians and it's not unusual at all to have a street bum sitting on a bar stool side by side having a conversation with a political dignitary or a wealthy businessman. The going joke is that if God walked into an Australian pub, everyone there would be on a first name basis with him before the last drink for the night was served. It's about as close to a classless society as there is, except for the sometimes atrocious attitude toward the Aboriginal people.

Unfortunately, as often times is the case, there is a ugly rift between the indigenous Aboriginal people and the newcomers… and the distaste goes both ways. Many of the Australian people consider the Aborigines the, "Most useless race of people on the face of the earth". I've heard this line first hand. Alternatively, many of the Aboriginals maintain a feeling of hatred towards the encroaching newcomers. Naive tourists would be wise to be sensitive to this discord, else they may end up becoming a victim of a random act of aggression for being in the wrong place at the wrong time. I've felt this first hand. Nonetheless, this should be a minute concern in a much larger and fulfilling Australian experience.

Witnessing genuine Australian idealism is another appealing component of the Australian experience. The foundation of American idealism is hypocritically said to reside in the inalienable right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, but the reality is that this is much more descriptive of Australian ideals. Australian laws are there to protect property and personal liberties, not to baby sit or protect people from themselves. You can do whatever you like as long as it doesn't infringe upon another person's liberties, but you do it at your own risk. It's really a refreshing feeling of freedom.

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