Monday, September 26, 2011

Night time in Broken hill


The air is so dry here.  The spring winds have arrived with gusto and you can  taste the dust.  You know when you cannot stop licking your lips.  This creates the right atmosphere for stunning sunsets.

Broken Hill is really a thriving little metropolis.  Self-sufficient is the term that comes to mind.  Hard to imagine, so far away from everything and everyone.

I have met some groovy and  interesting people.  They moved away when younger but return here to have their own families and relish in the region's uniqueness.  I have met artists who choose to live here, not locals, but thrive on the eccentricity of this place.

My biggest privlege is meeting the local Baarkintji people, mainly through my work, but also around town.   I listen to their  stories.  Stories of being taken away.  Stories of family.  Great pioneering stories of working  on the land, in the mines.  The good old days.  Their cracker sense of humour.  Sadly also stories of  broken families and extreme hardship, and inter-generational trauma.

I took a little drive by myself this afternoon, after work, along the semi arid plains.  Again the sky was magnificent and you could almost see the curvature of the earth.  I had a bit of a ratty day in my head. I needed some time.  To have some space. To pause.

Now, all are tucked away blisfully asleep.  And I really should be too.

Good night.
xxx

34 comments:

Vicki said...

Dearest Jill,

One of the things I love about your writing is that you never gloss, you tell it as it is, in it's beauty or it's pain. You must have intuitively known to head out and breathe in the space, the quiet, the constance of the bush and the sky. Life is hard for some people all the time and for others hard times come and go, sometimes...most times, what makes a huge difference is that someone listens or is there with a smile and a hug. I know you are that difference in others lives. I'm going to be the first to send hugs, lets see how many you get!
Vickixx

Marion Williams-Bennett said...

so wonderful that you get to experience this place, these people. Even more wonderful is your openness to them and what they teach you. So glad you share it with us!

Also glad for your drive and for these pictures! I love the second one, the lights turing to balls of color.

xo!

Jane said...

Jill
I love the Broken Hill perspective you share with us, thank you. It inspires me to be certain that i want to visit there one day to see for myself. Good on you for taking the drive and getting some time for yourself. I hope it was just what you needed. Jane x

Cat said...

These photos are beautiful, so peaceful, I love the colour at sunset and how beautiful mother nature can be. I hope you feel better after a good nights sleep. xo

Felicity said...

You literally made my eyes pop Jill.
Glorious.
Actually unexpected and lovely - serendipity.

xx's

Jane said...

A stunning, interesting and thoughtful post, Jill. Thanks so much for introducing me to a place I haven't visited. J x

Tales of a Tai Tai said...

Jill, what an interesting journey you're on living there. It must be amazing to hear stories from those locals. It's something I wish I could do more of here in HK but unfortunately the language barrier really gets in the way! Those pics are beautiful!! sleep tight x

one claire day said...

What a fantastic experience... and with sunsets like that to boot. Sounds like an amazing place with soul x

Sandrine said...

Beautiful and bringing so many memories Jill.11 years ago I moved from Western Africa (via home as well)(mostly near Sahara desert)to Australia we drove from Qld to WA going through Broken Hill...we eventually settled in remote WA (around Kalgoorlie) for few years...the red dirt, the dry feel that come in your throat is still in my mind and that feeling of discovering interesting people, places...:)I have enjoyed going through the previous pages your little Che is so adorable! x

Cate B said...

I can almost smell and taste the dust Jill!
Your words and images are breathtaking. Thinking of you x

un arc-en-ciel dans le lavabo said...

this is truly beautiful ! these photos reminds me of some sunsets i saw while travelling in California...

there's a little voice -- my asthma voice ! - that's whispering i should move there ! over here i'm often sick because of too much humidity :(

Gaby said...

stunning. i've never been to broken hill but you make it sound most interesting!

lamina@do a bit said...

I've only been to Broken Hill once when I was little... I don't remember much :( Love your photos... especially the second one!! Just beautiful :)

Sally said...

Those photos are lovely. My favourite is the second one. Colour delight.

I would really like to visit Broken Hill. Maybe one day.

Naturally Carol said...

When you've had a busy day it is the best time just before bedtime when finally the day is finished and sleep awaits!

Small Things Simple Pleasures said...

The idea of someone being taken away always jolts, no matter how many times I hear it. As it should. Your photos, with their beauty and connection to the land, makes your post a very poignant one.

Beck said...

Thank you for this beautiful and thoughtful post, your words and photo's really moved me xo

1000 Homes of Happiness said...

beautiful words and breathtaking images Jill.

Having worked with our local Indigenous familes for sometime now I agree...so much widom to be learnt. Some of my kiddies I work with have the most captivating smiles. Hiding behind these beautiful cheeky grins are years of heartache and family turmoil. I have had drives like these after work. To clear my head.. and at times to shed some tears at the sadness of it all.

I adore the way you write.

Kellie xoxo

trudi@maudeandme said...

I am loving your Broken Hill posts. Images and descriptions are beautiful and inspiring.

Anonymous said...

I've never been this far west before, but gee if you didn't just wet my taste buds for some of that dusty wind. What an amazing place. Love the second photo too, with the lights bleeding out.

Silver Strands said...

What a beautiful, tender post Jill. So glad to have found you.

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