:: One People, Many Cultures ::



::Living Together in Respect and Friendship::

Echidnas are a rare sight even in Australia, partly because they’re so shy (and generally nocturnal) and partly because there are so few of them. I’d only seen one in my life before today and that was deep in the mountains of Tasmania in the middle of a 6 day walk. But today, an adult echidna crossed my path on the way home from work. I take this as a sign of the health of our local national park, but also as more reason to be careful of the environment. If the shy wildlife is coming so close to the cities, I fear for the state of the rest of our bushland.

I lost my sense of humour while I was in Japan. At first, it was just disappointing because the Japanese didn’t understand my precious Aussie humour, but then one particular girlfriend started getting angry whenever I joked. She saw the humour as either derogatory (when directed at others) or proud (when laughing at myself) and would yell at me or refuse to talk to me when I joked. I learnt not to.

I’ve struggled to regain it ever since I left Japan, but it’s been a long fight. Even now, 7 years later, I find many things people say unamusing, but it’s coming back. I love the way Australians are so relaxed that an insult between mates is generally a cause for all to laugh. Everyone knows that witty remarks are designed to show off the wit of the joker and not a true reflection of their opinions – even when they’re laughing at themselves.

Today, when one of my colleagues was telling us that he was leaving his job because his girlfriend could only find work in another city, another colleague responded his city would always come before any woman. A third colleague shouted out, ‘and that’s why you’re still single.’

After enjoying the laugh with the others, I agreed with the first’s principles, saying that I followed Marie to Bhutan. The comment quickly came back, ‘you can’t take a hint, can you.’ And I love that I could laugh.