the world is a crumb: Canberra – history of this country

16.3.07

Canberra – history of this country

On my way from Melbourne I drove a 5 day side trip to Canberra. Because Melbourne and Sydney couldn’t decide which city will be capital the planned and build Canberra in-between :) All buildings are looking like these old soviet buildings in East Europe - grey. I organized accommodation with a couple not far from the city centre. These couchsurfing members were well experienced travelers and we shared a lot of travel stories. They both drove the big loop all the way around Australia and traveled around Europe in a Fiat Panda. Everybody told me Canberra is boring and you just need one day then you have seen everything. But when you want to understand this country, the history and why they have so many problems with the Aboriginal population than this is the place to go. Very good is the War Memorial with an “Australian” historical point view about the 1^st and 2^nd World War. (and plenty other wars where AU participated !!! ) Also very good is the Australian National Museum - the best way to understand the Aboriginal history. I thought the German Nazi regime was stupid but can you believe that the Australian government decided to bring all Aborigines in some kind like ghettos. The government thought this country is too big and they couldn’t provide (religion-) education, food and other European things. So they pulled them out of there million of years old historical, traditional environment and relatives. Then they pushed them in missions. (ghettos - I would say) Some of these confused Aborigines started to drink, became criminal and couldn’t see there roots to there traditional land anymore. There are programs to give back there own land and other initiatives but one main point is that the government never said “sorry” for the mistakes in the past. So the Aborigines said then we are not Australians and started organized a protest in front of the Old Parliament House. They protested there over years and were camping in a park before Old Parliament House. In Canberra everybody know them under the “tent embassy” They even printed some “own” passports and I think one African country still accept these Aborigines passports ;) If you find your way to Canberra one day just have a look in the park and there are always some people camping and “protesting” ;) Ohh!! Btw there was a hailstorm ...