exumenius

Living in the northern hemisphere most of the maps we see are not centered on the equator. They usually cut out Antarctica and the much of the vast, empty southern oceans in order to avoid all the unnecessary blue on the map. Thus, we seem to have this internal feeling that Australia is actually much farther south than it truly is. In all reality it is very close to the equator. Darwin sits at 12 degrees latitude, the same as Costa Rica and is much more tropic than places such as Jamaica or Cancun. Miami, for instance, lies at about the same latitude as Brisbane. If you look at a map you suddenly realize that Darwin isn’t all that far from Indonesia.

I say all this because it is monsoon season here, ‘The Wet’ as it is known locally. Consequently it is also the low season for tourists since the rest of Australia is enjoying its best weather, while Darwin it at its worst. This is the first place I’ve been that is not in high tourist season. As a result, most of the people staying in my hostel are Australians or Indian migrants who are working in the area. A nice change from the hoards of British and Germans teenage backpackers that have invaded the rest of Australia.

The weather today was befitting that of a wet season. Extreme humidity coupled with intermittent downpours and episodes of sunshine (that’s for your EJ). All in all, not a very motivating climate to do much more than read and sleep (in my air-conditioned room, which cost an extra $2 a night…the best $2 I’ve spent all trip). I am not the only one who moved at a snail’s pace. Everyone hears just sort of goes through the motions, trying desperately not to move, lest they begin to sweat profusely. After standing in line at Woolworths for nearly 25 minutes, I found the cashier working in what can only be described as extreme slow motion. I don’t think I would have to patience to live here full time. On the other hand, the people are very nice and friendly. Again that worldly dichotomy between efficiency and friendliness rears its ugly head.

The day just sort of floated by and by evening I found myself watch a tightly contest cricket match between Australia and India. The locals had crowded the TV lounge along with the half a dozen Indian day laborers staying at the hostel. After some time, a Kiwi guy and I had a nice long conversation on American politics. The whole world, while somewhat disgusted at the length of our presidential election process (and who isn’t), is extremely interested in it regardless of whatever loathings for America they may hold in the heart.

What I Learned Today: My official (though terribly unscientific) straw poll of non-Americans has Obama winning by a landslide. Nearly everyone I’ve talked to about the election favors Obama and desperately wants to know if I think Americans are finally color-blind enough to elect a minority president. “Perhaps” is my response. I think it all depends on how many young people can be bothered to vote, along with, of course, how the Super-Delegates decide to act in the primary. Interestingly, and a bit of a digress, driving through the City of Katherine I saw a sign saying, “Election next week,
remember: VOTING IS COMPULSORY!”. Mandatory voting….what an idea.