Matt Down Under
Ruby developer, founder of choc media, bushwalker, MacGyver fan and hobby photographer, German citizen and Australian Permanent Resident.
In 2008 I moved from Germany to Australia, the best decision of my life. On this blog you can find stories and photos about hiking in Tasmania and on the mainland, travelling, and life in Australia — my journey from Working Holiday to Permanent Residency.
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6 posts tagged Aborigines
Life in Numbulwar
When I came to Numbulwar, I was hoping to get a better understanding of Aboriginal culture and lifestyle, and of the conditions of living for Aboriginal people in remote communities in Australia. Now, two months later, I still find it difficult to come to a conclusion — there were so many impressions, and so many different aspects and opinions that I have seen and heard. No doubt that Aborigines are heavily disadvantaged in Australia, but on the other hand I found it fascinating that I never heard anybody complaining.
Here is a list of things that I found remarkable over the last two months, to give an impression on what it’s like to live in Numbulwar.
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I posted a new photo album about my time in the Aboriginal community of Numbulwar.
Back in Darwin
Two weeks earlier than expected I am back in Darwin. It’s hard to adjust to city life again after two months in a remote Aboriginal community.
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The day the shop got cursed
Today was one of the funniest days since I came to Numbulwar. Over the last few weeks I’ve seen a lot of things that I had never seen before but today was one of those days when I almost forget that I’m in Australia because things are so different out here in this small Aboriginal town. One always need to be prepared for the unexpected.
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Today I bought a canvas painting from an Aboriginal artist here in my community. I didn’t know he lives just behind my house. There seem to be a few artists in Numbulwar and it is difficult for them to sell their work. So whenever there is a new face in town (like me) their relatives will offer them stuff for sale. Every couple of days they are knocking at my door and offer me original paintings, handmade neck-laces made from shells, or even handmade baskets in impressive quality. Usually I try not to buy since I’m a backpacker with limited space, but today I was offered this really great painting and couldn’t resist.
Welcome to Numbulwar, Arnhem Land
Since last Thursday, I have been staying and working in one of the most remote and most exclusive places you could possibly be in Australia: in Numbulwar, a small Aboriginal community on the Gulf of Carpentaria at the East coast of Arnhem Land.
