Wonderful Wildlife and Positive People
I'm now fully embedded into my research project and the East Gippsland, Victoria area where my project is based. In my first few weeks here, enlightening conversations have both helped focused my research objectives and enticed me to ask even more questions. I am also delighted on a daily basis by the stunning landscapes and wonderful wildlife of this area.
For my concerned American friends, yes there are big spiders and snakes here. Thus far, I have seen precisely one largish spider, that I gently caught in a cup and released outside, and zero snakes. However, the threat posed by the many venomous snakes is not to be taken lightly. I stayed with my mentor for a few days at the beginning of my time here, and the first words out of her mouth as we drove up to the driveway were, "we have three species of snakes that come to our property, and they can all kill you, so please look out for them when walking around." This statement has drastically raised the level of attention I pay to the ground surrounding me when I go for runs or really any walk about outside. I now run with a downward gaze as not only are their snakes, but there are also so many species of trees who drop their bark here in nice long, curling strips that look like, well....snakes. But again, I've yet to see a live one.
Moving on to other species. I've seen a fair number of kangaroos. They live and graze on campus, which for me is a captivating phenomenon. The way they hop across the landscape is so different from any other animal movement pattern, that it always catches my eye. I've also chanced upon their dark, mysterious, forest friends, the wallabies, but usually just long enough to see their final hop into a dense brush that I cannot then see through. I’m still waiting to see a koala and a wombat.
Parrots, cockatoos, and lorikeets abound here in all colors and sizes. Every time I see one of these creatures, I cannot help but smile. They don't always have the prettiest songs (seriously sulphur-crested cockatoos are a bit much first thing in the morning), but they are a joy to watch swooping through orchards, hanging out in parks, or gliding overhead. The magpies on the other hand, unlike in the US, are quite melodious and a joy to wake up to each morning. Although they are not in fact the ones that wake me up. That is the job of the local possums which have an apparent need to run across the roof of my small AirBNB cottage every morning around 6:00 am.
And as for the people, everyone that I've met thus far has been genuinely interested in my research and generous with their time, knowledge, and insight. I feel blessed with this response because I'm asking them to recall a very traumatic event and relate their experiences. The fact they are willing to do so openly is a testament to the soul of the people here. I think it’s quintessentially represented in a common greeting, which is "how ya going?" instead of "how are you doing?" as Americans say. We're all so very concerned with what we DO in America, that even our daily colloquial greeting implies a questioning of “what did you accomplish today?”. Whereas “how ya going” implies a much more friendly and genuine concern for how you are currently going about your day. As an another example, my AirBNB host often has guests over, and when they leave, she stands in the driveway and waves until they are out of sight. It’s a small gesture, but sweet, a reminder there are still so many good people in the world to get to know, an activity I’m thoroughly enjoying here. We all need to build more positive relationships these days.
Anyway, I'll try to be more consistent in my updates. Stay tuned!
