Random thoughts in a small town (Cardwell)

- australia
I spent a few days in this quiet little town and I was loving it. Even though the Greyhound buses stop here it is not a typical tourist destination. It certainly doesn’t attract any backpackers. That’s why I like it.

People here greet you on the street, even if you’re dirty and stink after 5 days in the showerless wilderness.
There’s a supermarket, a few cafés, a pub, a butcher, a greengrocer, a library, an excellent visitor centre, a 50 m swimming pool, and a telegraph museum.

I’ve been swimming twice, went to the library, most of the cafés, the visitor centre. Since I had some time to kill today before taking the train to Cairns I went to the museum. It was very cute, but the guy who worked there was absolutely lovely. Past his 70s he very enthusiastically explained me all about telegraphy and setting up the telegraph lines in young Australia. We then chatted about cyclone Yasi that made landfall here two years ago and was a bit smaller but stronger than hurricane Sandy which hit NJ and NY very recently. He showed me pictures of the destruction and flooding. We talked for about half an hour, crocodiles and walking came up. He then offered to drive me to a swimming hole nearby to spend the time until my train leaves! Well, I’m not as spontaneous as I’d like to be, and I also wanted to get coffee and recharge my phone so I declined. But I did appreciate the offer.

I know it’s hypocritical to hate the backpackers but whenever I go where they don’t I meet the kindest people. And the strangest characters.

There is this Australian guy, Brad, who told me his life story and tried his German on me. He is past 60 and looked like he likes the occasional drink, but was nice enough. After we had chatted for a bit on more than one occasion he asked me if I wanted to be shocked. I said no, but he showed me the swastika in his wallet anyway. I really wonder what it means to him to carry around such a symbol. From what he said I believe it’s respect for the Germans (!!!) and a fondness for nationalism and socialism, but not xenophobia and totalitarianism. Strange.

Then, there were all the people from train services and visitor centres that I talked to on the phone to organize my trip to the outback next week. They all seemed genuinely invested in helping me to have a great time. This is an email from Marcia from a private train company who wanted to help me organize a train tour which eventually didn’t work out, but I told her I’d organize my own transport:

“Oh beautiful!
I am glad you got to do that…excellent. It truly is gorgeous country out that way. Have a great time! The locals are lovely people!

Kind Regards
Marcia”

I think this is my favorite part of traveling - meeting the kindest and most interesting people in the most remote areas.

And coming up soon: A full report of my walking adventure!