Tuesday, May 27, 2003
It's been a good weekend. Went to Mutawintji National Park (middle of desert, 1 1/2 hours from here) with the Barrier Rangers, the local bushwalking group. We had good mix of experts in the group - geologists to point out all the interesting rocks, including some ancient sandworm fossils, teachers, an Aboriginal guide called Gerald who introduced us to some bushtucker and interpreted the ancient rock art. Mutawintji is at the crossroads of several Aboriginal Dreaming tracks and has been the site of special ceremonies for thousands of years, so all the caves are filled with art. As one guy with us demonstrated, there are artefacts like spear points and rock scrapers lying all over the ground too.
Over the evening campfire, apart from eating fantastic BBQ food, I learnt more important local Broken Hill jargon. An "A-grader" is someone who was BH born (and therefore has more standing in the community), a B-grader is someone who has come to BH "from away" but been here for a few years/bought a house, and a C-grader is a wannabe tourist like me.
I was stiff yesterday and feeling decidedly sedentary, but feeling more energetic today - might even join next weekend's walk.
Piokiwi 4:58 pm
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