What I want to bring back from Melbourne


When asked to write about Melbourne, my first thoughts were to make an elaborate fantasy. I am a buff on ancient cultures and mythology. I had read somewhere about Australian aborigine mythology around dreams. I thought I would weave mythology into a trip around the city. But my research on the internet did not yield much on this. So I had to try something different. I considered a bushman coming in the protagonist’s dreams and dropping clues that takes him from one place to another like a treasure hunt. It would make it even more interesting if the clues were given in the form of poetry. But the challenge was to build a credible story around the whole thing. Somehow aborigine Australia and modern Melbourne just did not fit. The idea of English poetry and aborigines also kind of did not go well. So the whole idea had to be abandoned.

Then I tried to give the whole thing a fresh thought. The thing that came to my mind was one of the Father Brown stories of G K Chesterton. A jewel thief called Flambeau is on the loose. A detective called Valentin is on his pursuit. Everywhere along the way he encounters a trail of stupid acts of an eccentric catholic priest. Finally it turns out Father Brown has been trailing Flambeau and has been purposely laying the trail for Valentin. Doing something similar in Melbourne seemed like a good idea. It would have been a good writing exercise for me as well. Usually novel writing requires research and writing a short story based on research would have indeed been a good start. But somehow the whole thing felt so contrived and I could not get sufficient inspiration to get moving on this that too within the limited timeframe. Possibly I have to wait for another opportunity for this.

Right from the beginning, I think this was just not a topic meant for me. I did try to research what Melbourne was famous for. One thing that is mentioned is cafes, wine, books and culture. But somehow mind does not seem to associate these with Australia. Honestly I would rather visit Italy or Austria. It seems more in character with these countries that with Australia. When I think about nature attractions, only Jared Diamond’s Collapse comes to my mind. I remember reading how English settlers destroyed the fragile natural eco system in trying to recreate a mini Britain. Of course I am excited about the idea of seeing the natural fauna of Australia: kangaroos, emus, koalas and dingoes. But somehow I am always haunted by the words of Jared Diamond of an artificially propped up eco system of flora and fauna from Europe not at all suitable for Australian conditions.

In short, unless someone convinces me to the contrary, Australia appears to me a phony country without a soul. When I think Japan, I get excited about Ninjas and Samurais. When I think Europe, I get excited about medieval culture that has inspired tales of elves and dwarves. When I think South America, I get excited about the tales of wonderful Amazonian jungles and the Mayan and Aztec cultures. Even USA has an exciting feel to it as the cradle of modern human civilization. But Australia just does not excite me at all. Only thing that comes to mind when I think Australia is sports and somehow I don’t happen to be a sports enthusiast.

People may wonder about the purpose of this post. Usually when people are experiencing blogger’s block, they write about the blogger’s block itself to get out of it. Similarly for 2 weeks I have been under pressure to write for this topic and getting stuck every time. So I thought I will write about my inhibitions in writing about this topic and ensure I maintain my record of not missing a single contest on Indiblogger this year. With so much negativity built up in my mind based on information from secondary sources, something tells me “…it's your time to visit Melbourne NOW!” so that I can really see things for myself and change my perceptions. If I were to visit, Melbourne, a complete change of heart and positive feelings is what I want to bring back.

 Here is the link of the contest sponsors. The picture is licensed under creative commons by user Diliff in Wikipedia.

23 comments:

indu chhibber said...

OK,that was a fine way of linking to the topic.

Arvind Passey said...

This is surely a 'post' with a difference...

There are 2 things I'd like to mention:

1. Aborigines. Yes, they do have a lot of cult stories woven around them. Tourism in Australia does thrive on how well these stories are sold. To actually meet them, one needs to go to Alice Springs or somewhere in Central Australia. I was in Sydney, and they just sell their stuff there. However, I was told that you can actually bump into these people in Melbourne... so a good point there!

2. You need to read Dickens to know that the British sent their convicts to this place... so yes, there is a lot of convict history here.

Lastly, do visit my YouTube channel... have some interesting Aussie videos there that I made.

C Suresh said...

Looks like we share more than SF/Fantasy in books! That was the first of the Father Brown stories, was it not? I have been a fan of those tales as well!

A contest post about why you cannot write a contest post!! :) That's a new side of creativity :)

umashankar said...

Scandalous as it may sound, it is one hell of a proposition, direct and and about time! Even God cannot refute the force of your argument.

T F Carthick said...

Thanks, Indu. Somehow could not write my usual kind of creative blog post this time.

T F Carthick said...

Thanks, Mr. Passey. You make valid points. I am of course keen to know more about the aborigines. And I think I should try reading books related to Australian history to relate to Australia more. I started loving America after Tom Sawyer and England after Enid Blyton and Sherlock Holmes. Will definitely check out your videos. Think I already saw a couple of them.

T F Carthick said...

Yes, CS. It was the first one. We had it at school. I did manage to read the rest of them as well.Had to write this one after you and DS were telling me not to miss. I know if I miss one, I might slowly drift away from contests.

T F Carthick said...

Thanks umashnkar. It is not possible for me to have something in my heart and say something else in my post.

Puru@ShadowsGalore said...

If the aborigine are from India originally, you may get a bit disappointed :P

DS said...

Quite a post this, at least it keeps your contest participation run going!!

Panchali said...

TF...Multiplying Negatives Makes A Positive---and this post proves it...!!
All the best for the contest :)

T F Carthick said...

I don't remember reading anywhere about any connection between Indians and Australian aborigines, Puru

T F Carthick said...

Thanks, DS. Thats what it is.

T F Carthick said...

Thanks Panchali. I am glad the overall effect was positive.

Arti said...

As I read the post, I could not help but chuckle. You are a traveler TF, not a tourist and that makes your entry unique, for me at least. Good luck to you. :)

asteria's canvass said...

hey,
I cant help but point out that I too started on the same lines.
Well written....well informed and well linked up.
regards
ratika

T F Carthick said...

Thanks Arti. Nice you noted the difference. Not sure if too many people even recognize that there is such a difference. Like always your comments always have an elevating quality to them.

T F Carthick said...

Thanks Asteria. I still need to read yours.

Saru Singhal said...

Well I would have loved if you wrote it with poems but honestly going to Australia doesn't excite, I would rather go to Europe as you said. And I need to read those ancient history facts you mentioned.:)

T F Carthick said...

Thanks, Saru. History is indeed a fascinating subject.

sharmila said...

As always,a completely different take on the subject!You never fail to surprise your readers TF and that makes an interesting and absorbing read.

T F Carthick said...

Thanks a lot, Sharmila.

Uma Anandane said...

The post builds up into positivity towards the end when you say "yeah, unless I see and feel things myself nothing gonna stop me now.and it is time to visit Melbourne " .

Post a Comment

Kind words of appreciation/feedback

For whom the bell tolls

A book of faces