The Fellowship in the Romp
As I sit and drink my morning coffee, seated at my computer listening to my favorite Pink Floyd song “Coming Back to Life” from their last studio album, I ponder back to my time in Sydney, Australia. My mind does it's best to remember a certain night near and around Sydney, Australia. In a small town named Blaxland, NSW (about 95km Northeast of Sydney), I fondly remember of an evening spent in fellowship in my first Aussie home, and my first church service in a long time. I am not a member of a church nor have I regularly gone in years... Shhhh, don't tell my mom. She wouldn't approve folks.
Thinking back to my childhood and the Sundays-gone-by at the Methodist & Non-denominational churches I can still almost smell the old pews, I can almost taste the potluck food from some other family’s sloppy joe or pulled pork recipe, I can almost hear the same hymnal verse being repeated fifteen bloody times, and I can almost recite the details of the stories about water to wine and a little baby in a basket sent on the Nile. Moses, watch out for the crocs mate! But attending this or any church in Aus was not on my own to-do list folks. Not even on my radar, but when invited might as well accept… So, dearly beloved, we are gathered today for food, music, and conversation… That’s the correct verbiage for this particular religious service, right? Either way, it is time for a Fellowship in the Romp, even though my Romper was still in China (insert POTUS 45's irritation pronunciation of "China")
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| Blaxland, NSW 2018 |
But, come on man, you live life in the Romp. You can’t possibly entertain what some would identify as a monotheistic Sky God? Here’s the catch about life, when you choose to let life in you also choose to let ideas in as well even if you don't believe in the same ideas. That night I got my first real experience of Australian culture at a family’s home. Matt, Mel, and their family hosted a small congregation of fellow believers to breaking the proverbial bread, consume the beverages, eat the foods, and engage in conversations all seated at the various tables before diving into the live music and message that celebrates hope for many. Looking back I can remember the background noise brimming with Australian voices, the crackling of soda/beer cans, and the popping sound of wine bottles being opened from across the room that makes me miss such gatherings with larger groups today. Perhaps it is the ambiance of such activities that help ease a persons’ feelings of isolation. I personally think this is an inadvertent side-effect (the feeling of isolationism) that technology promotes. Thus, within the Christian religion, most will recognize that we are called by a "Sky God" to gather with others to praise, teach, learn, and hopefully grow into better people. And I was truly grateful to be invited and included by all.
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| Blaxland, NSW 2018 |
Once the meal was consumed, the familiar worship music silenced, and the sermon presented, about everyone began to pile into their cars to Godspeed away. In the noticeably less decibel living room I got the chance to really have a chat with the hosts and organizers of this gathering of fellowship, the Lucas family.
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| Drop Bears, Google Search |
I chatted with was their eldest son. The conversation is truly enjoyable when you open your ears and listen to learn vs. respond. For example, I learned that Crocodile Dundee lied… Aussies don’t go on “a Bit of a Walk About”. Well, I mean they do but call it a Gap Year. Something often looked down upon in the U.S. A Gap year is a chance for an eighteen-year-old to travel outside of the Land Down Under for a year or two, and not just for a study abroad term either but often just for the experience. The immigration/Visa treaties are pretty relaxed compared to what I went through. Many Aussies typically head to New Zealand or Canada. Mainly Canada is the typical spot. I think Aussies are rather curious about snow. During the exchange between us his sense of humor was very Aussie – Aussies love to razz you. It means they like you. He asked me if I’ve run into any Drop bears… Ha! I knew Drop Bears were not real. He did his best to convince me otherwise but in the end, he learned that his government has gotten in on the joke too (scroll to the bottom and cut and paste the link). A good way to take the piss out of tourists, hey?!
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| Cartoon of Hoop Snakes, Google Search |
He tried again with Hoop snakes… Almost had me really going until he described how these critters open their mouth to connect to their tail and then roll down the hill after their prey. After these unsuccessful attempts at convincing me of those local tall tales, he offered me a spoonful of vegemite. Again, my Yankee romp foiled his plan of a good laugh at me. All in good fun of course.
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| Jumping Croc, Google Search |
However, two oddities about Australia that turn out to be true. One, the jumping crocodiles. This is a real tourist hot spot and located on the Adelaide River near Darwin. Darwin is a fitting name really in the Northern Territory. Aussies literally train wild crocodiles to jump out of the water for a feed off a long stick given by an Aussies crewman on the boat tour. These things can grow up to 5-8 meters long (16-26 feet). All for the amusement of tourists. If ever there was a true Darwin Award I am not sure who would deserve it more, the Aussies giving Snappy a feed or Fruit loop the tourist paying for it all?!
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| Nick Cummins from The Bachelor, google search |
The second is a Footie (Rugby - like American Football but way more savage) player named The Honey Badger, Nick Cummins. He has turned himself into a modern national treasure of sorts like a younger version of Betty White. This Footie player is a real hoot to listen to. Folks, seriously go to YouTube and search for Nick Cummins’s quotes and you will not be disappointed. This bloke once said while being on the Australian version of the The Bachelor, “Like a midget in a urinal, she’ll keep ya on your toes.” Come to find out, this Footie player decided on neither of the two ladies at the final selection ceremony and instead went off to Papa New Guinee for an extremely difficult historical hike The Kokoda Trail. Another item to look up for those that enjoy a tough hike and WWII History. He is 100% pure Aussie mates. Sometimes you just need to clear your head and experience something new and take a Gap Year (doesn’t always mean a full-on year) is much needed for the mind, body, and soul.
Before I knew it Mr. and Mrs. Lucas sat down to join the conversation. It did not gear towards the usual path of more on Aussie sports or one that I’ve experienced whilst in a church setting… You know the one, folks! “Have you found Jesus?”. Save the call to the Coppers cause this bloke is apparently missing, right folks? Not sure where to check on missing persons in Aus. Super Walmart isn’t exactly big Down Under. Instead of this topic, we steered the convo more towards schools and the coming term.
Mrs. Lucas is a schoolteacher. She went on to describe the lack of funding being done within the education system (she didn’t point political blame associated with these circumstances). For me, having grown up with my own father being a high school teacher I understood better than some who did not the complexity between finding somewhere to balance funding, administrating, and teaching within an often-broken system. Sadly, no viable resolutions were given by anyone that could be sent to the Liberal or Labor Parties (two of the most prominent political groups in Aussie politics). One thing is for sure, getting needed changes for the better with the public education system in all of Aus is as daunting a task as it is here in the U.S.
With such talks of education, I knew on some level one question will come about… American school shootings. Aussies, thank God, do not deal with this particular problem. Often a very polarizing conversation with Americans (rightfully so), but here in their home this subject maintained solid points on any side of this topic, and also absolute civility in manners towards the different ideology of gun ownership between American and Australian. Refreshing folks to have a heavy topic without anger or feelings of exasperation by anyone - least that I noticed. I found these Aussies were and still are generally concerned and equally curious as to why guns are still allowed on the massive scale the U.S. allows. After the last mass shooting (around 1996 in the State of Tasmania 35 people died), the Aussie government stepped in and basically said, “Yeah, nah... We’re all done with that, hand them over.” And the public said, “Nah, yeah... that’s probably fair.” So simple to do really. So trusting of the government to do what is for the best for its people. One would think America can simply do the same. “What do you mean your rights, protect your children is more important!” “It’s just a piece of paper, mate. If easily written down, it can just as easily erased/change, right?” Seems fair on the surface. Until you try to begin to understand American culture.
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| Blaxland, NSW 2018 |
While I don’t have answers to the horrid deeds done by students being able to not only acquire firearms but also clearly lack enough emotional intelligence and critical thinking decision-making capabilities to handle them safely. I actually have more questions about school shootings. This is the biggest question that I have… Where is the parent(s)? But here in this conversation gearing more towards the 2nd Amendment in the U.S. Constitution and less about parenting and school systems. I tried my best to further the curiously concerned allies' minds towards further reading verse any polite debating. What I tried to challenge with is to research and read the Federalist Papers (Hamilton, folks!). Understand America’s separation from the UK was very violent, and in fact, two wars were fought with England for true Independence. I further pressed some areas to think about American Gun Culture. The original idea of the U.S. Constitution was to limit the powers of the Government. Thus, many feel the only deterrent against tyranny is the 2nd Amendment. A counter-argument to all is what hope does one have against a tank. My counter to the counter is for one to simply ask the Vietcong and NVA. They know a thing or two about resisting American firepower. Ironically, the world can trust that Americans have a deep mistrust with their own Government. Gun culture and mistrusting the Government is embedded in American DNA. Whether it is Left-Wing or Right-Wing alignment (its the same bird Folks)… For better or for worse... Till death do us part. Amen, Awomen, and All-identified-genders... It's the 2000s folks, and a brave new world. I have to tell you folks; I didn’t expect this dialogue after being invited to a home church service to find Jesus.
I do hope a pragmatic solution can come about in the States. Because why does it matter with what happens here in America? I mean Aus is on the other side of the world and in a different hemisphere. Well, my American friends, the double edge sword of American influence (political, economic, and cultural) is extremely far-reaching. You truly don't realize this till you travel far away from America. The good and also the bad. It truly matters what happens in the U.S. And we can defiantly learn from our neighbors while maintaining our own “American Way” on what does work and what simply will not work.
In order for growth to occur within a person, I fully believe it takes a metaphorical or literal step into the unknown. A step into something that can turn out better than expected even if the chat along the way is challenging and contradicting everything you know/knew to be true. Two years later this family and this night still have a lasting impression on me. Just maybe I, in turn, did the same for them.
The “see you laters” were exchanged whilst Terri and I left. She would continue to see them and help within the Church.
As I finish the last pungent drop of my coffee made from the plunger (French Press) I realize with disappointment that it is tough to travel abroad right now. Right now, America is kind of being viewed as if we are the kid that had a wee on himself whilst riding the school bus. A bit embarrassing really.
There has to be some sort of respectful common ground that will us all to do better. But you have to open your door for light conversations concerning "who got the raw prawn" (Nick Cummins quote), gassing about the danger of Drop Bears, or how best can we have pragmatic talks on sobering issues.
Well until you are ready, just look above and thank whatever you pray to that Drop bears don’t live in the States. Then again if they did, we have Guns! I hope that one day soon we all can try a bit more traveling to random places - day trips, weekend get-aways, two week holidays, or maybe piss off longer on a gap year of sorts. Regardless folks, rest assured I’ll continue on my approach to taking life in the Romp.
~~~Dustin J. Casey~~~
~~~©Dustin J. Casey 2021~~~
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