Day 23 - Australia Day

While travelling, there is a certain amount of nationalism that comes to the fore. Particularly while staying in hostels with foreigners and swapping stories about back 'home', and how it contrasts with the country one is currently in. As an aside, staying in hostels is kinda like a weird version of living in college/dorms. It is a certain type of people about, all of doing various things and so easy to chat the hours away (as there is no 'study' to procrasinate away).

An interesting conversation came up and that was to define what it was to 'be Australian'. Once upon a time it would have been going to the beach, the BarBQ, 'mateship', "G'day" and a certain insanity of religously following sports (or some horrible Steve Erwin/Crocidile Dundee sterotype). Beyond a vague tag of 'multiculturism', what is it that characterises being Australian today?

The French have a strong sense of culture, buying bread daily, bakeries, food and fashion. The Spanish seem to 'enjoy' life with afternoon ci-estas, wild night life and sangrittas (alcoholic punch). I guess it is kinda exciting to be in a phase where we as current Australians are defining it, on the back of being a 'young nation'. Maybe it isn't til you are on the outside of the country til you can see it and be taking active steps about it, rather than a certain level of apathey that seems to exist.

Food for thought.