Page 57 - Final Inspirational Women Issue

WHAT IS REALLY DOWN UNDER?

By Gerald M. Neff Poetry Corner

from the nearest civilization of Kath- prepared locally, and the inevitable over-
erine to find the job site in the solitary boiled veggies and fried tomatoes. It is
outback. The closest little town was Top hard work, and even if you drink several My Present
Springs; then we arrived at the station beers an evening you have to have an es-
a couple of hours more down the road. cape-valve, the rodeos or get-to-gathers By Maggie Ramos
The welcoming sign said: Outback Land with neighboring stations are almost an
and Cattle Station. exact copy of our celebrations. Lassoing,
Here I must inject this prominent bulldogging, horse-riding plus plenty You became part of my past.
fact that with the opening of China to the of violin, mandolin and guitar music You are now my present.
world (trip-year 2002), the Chinese have accompanied by everyone dancing with I would like you to be,
formed a never as before appetite for pretty girls dressed in brightly colored part of my future.
beef, any kind of beef, and not necessarily full skirts and blue-jeans, and everybody
very refined. All of Northern and Central wearing the popular white cowboy hat. When we are distant
Australia with its dry open spaces can All of us enjoying piles of food includ-
only support one cow per square hector ing chunks of roasted meat, potatoes, I feel you closer,
(2.4 acres per hector); but if you have squash, and again the inevitable fried I can feel you,
several million hectors, you have a large tomatoes. The most common desert was When you think of me.
number of cattle. These cattle must all lots of yellow custard accompanied by Whether we are together or apart
be taken care of within this short period fruits with cinnamon sprinkled on top. you will always be part of my heart.
-July to September- with the necessary The beer with Bundeburg Rum were all
participation of the very talented Ab- brought in by helicopter with the bosses I gave you my soul and placed it
origine cowboys on foot and horseback from Katherine and Darwin. What a
supported by helicopters and as many breathtaking experience! in your hands.
visitors as you can convince to go to this Try and buy a round-trip-ticket to Without a doubt I gave you my presence,
isolated oasis. Every two to four days a Australia because if you have to save-up But with second thoughts
large double semi-trailer-truck full of two for the return fare, it is a rough job and for a moment I felt rejected.
hundred head of cattle leave for Canton expensive. We sold our car and from
and other ports in China. There are doz- our cattle earnings just made it out of Hard it became for us to love.
ens of these outback centers all over the Perth for Los Angeles on the newly Easier it was for us to hate.
northern and central parts of the country inaugurated "South East Asian Airplane"
from Alice Springs all the way through for US$2,500 each. It is a long flight of So hurt we both are,
to the Northern Port of Darwin, which is fourteen hours, but nice flight attendants hard it is for us to understand.
just in front of Indonesia. and plenty of international joy of edibles No need to express it.
For three months I was part of this and drinkables make the trip go quickly.
process of round-up of cattle sorting and Anywhere in the many youth hostels With a kiss under the moon glide
shipping, assisted by my ten aborigine or even hotels are lots of offers for work, everything is reflected into our essence.
friends, ten visitors, and ten real live beer tours, and opportunities of side trips; Pain walks by my side
drinking hard swearing sons of kanga- all seem on the up and up because in
roos or local Australian cowboys. All of Australia as the Kangaroos says " No holding my hand with confidence.
us were living together in the beautiful Worries Mate, There is Just Not Any
green oasis of Outback Cattle Station Place You Can Run Away To." Go online Certain that together we will be,
located in the middle of nowhere North- for tours or give it a try by yourself, or with intrigue patiently I shall wait for
ern Territory, Australia for the cattle with friends. a silent moment with you
round-up. It is a wonderful experience, and to strengthly embrace.
Australians are the salt of the earth, you will always yearn to go back to see
friendly, and helpful. We were all one big the real land of the big sky...DOWN
happy family working 12 to 14 hours a UNDER !!! ©By Maggie Ramos
day, but there was always plenty of local http://thenewdaily.com.au/life/
oranges, apples, and beef for every meal travel/2014/02/06/outback-adven-
with silver-side or corned beef which we tures-city-slickers/

57