Beating Around The Bush In A Bus

I caught a ride through Australia, hitching with Timmo from Finland and Ben from Mullumbimby in a fine Toyota Coaster. Eardrum and Ananda were the generous stewards of this old beauty of a bus, and the stories of their adventures could easily have taken us all around Australia a couple of times.

Chillin’ in the bush on the Gregory Development Road. That’s Eardrum saying fuck you mate. Don’t take it personal. He’s actually a great guy. Just make sure he eats.

They were leaving only 30km from where I was at, and they drove me about 2100 km North (yes I know there are 2 zeros there). Three days of driving and we’re still in the same country. We took the inland road instead of the coast. Bush. More bush. Bush. Sleep. Bush. Bit of desert. Bush, bush, bush then sleep. Then bush, bush, bush, bush, desert, bush, bush and then suddenly tropical mountains.

The five of us were damn near delirious when we celebrated our 3 days of solid driving with fish’n’chips & beers in cosy Kuranda – the village in the rainforest. Along the way we had seen and felt the endless miles of shrub and dry heat (Nevada go home), heard the rare sound of our inner songs in the spinning wheels of the bus, and tasted the distances of our lives in the dust on its windscreen.

What a trip. I could tell you a story, but you really did have to have been there…

My Worst Fears…

Traveling is dangerous. Mothers and insurance companies will tell you that. I have both, and I can tell you that it is indeed true; traveling is dangerous. All kinds of tourist-targetting thugs, creapy creatures, devilish diseases and corrupted cops are out there to get you.

Not to mention the “drop-bears”!

Australia has all of the above and then some. This is the kind of land where you knock your boots in the morning and walk with heavy steps at night. It is creepy-crawly country. It is also catastrophe country. Roads, buildings, cars, yourself – all of it is subject to heavy floods, wildfire, cyclones and the like.

Even partying is apprently dangerous in Australia. 8 days from now, I will be at the Eclipse 2012 festival in Northen Queensland out in the bush somewhere. Until a few days ago, all I knew about this festival was that there will be a complete solar eclipse, the music will be great, the company outstanding and I get to volunteer in the backstage area!