“The determination to know a particular place, in my experience, is consistently rewarded. And every natural place, to my mind, is open to being known. And somewhere in this process, a person begins to sense that they themselves are becoming known, so that when they are absent from that place they know that place misses them. And this reciprocity, to know and be known, reinforces a sense that one is necessary in the world.”
Barry Lopez. Embrace Fearlessly the Burning World. 2022
“Frau Koehl, why are we always going on an excursion?”
A student in my Year 2 class, sitting in the circle with the rest of the class, was asking just before we were about to line for … well, yes, yet another excursion. Carrying a backpack almost the size of her and a hat on her head (no hat, no play!) – she was ready to go.
Good question.
“Well, … because I believe that it is important to learn in different ways?!”
Good teacher answer! After all, I had just finished an Additional Basic Qualification Course in Indigenous Studies. I felt up-to-date with the best teaching strategies: Making differentiated and real-world connections. And what better way to see the real world than to go on a field trip?
“Because I want to explore!” would have been the honest answer. I wanted to see as much as possible of the place I was living in for the next two years, and, I admit it, I was using my students as an excuse. However, they didn’t seem to mind.
“I like going on excursions – it’s way more fun!” one student shouted.
“And we learn stuff!” Another added.
“Can we go shopping?” Some students will never learn.
It was Friday morning, and we were ready to go on the final excursion of the year: The Australian Museum. A museum, you guessed it, where we would find anything Australian. Hence, the name. Everything from stuffed kangaroos to all the deadly things this continent had to offer. Our focus was going to be on First Nations Collection Garrigarrang. Garrigarrang Nura – meaning Sea Water in the language of the Eora People, who have lived in the Sydney basin for thousands of years.
“Garrigarrang explores the rich cultures and spiritual traditions of the Salt Water People who call sea country home. Learn how they managed to live sustainably and harmoniously for tens of thousands of years. Hear their stories of first contact with Europeans and their ongoing struggle to preserve their living cultural identity.”
https://australian.museum/exhibition/garrigarrang-sea-country/
So the museum website promised.
“The determination to know a particular place, in my experience, is consistently rewarded. And every natural place, to my mind, is open to being known. And somewhere in this process, a person begins to sense that they themselves are becoming known, so that when they are absent from that place they know that place misses them. And this reciprocity, to know and be known, reinforces a sense that one is necessary in the world.”
Perfect for us because we wanted to explore. We had been learning about explorers – Aboriginal and European explorers – and what had started with an excursion to the Barrenjoey Lighthouse was about to be finished with our field trip to this First Nations exhibit. The students would see firsthand the bark canoes the Eora People had used, the clothes they had worn, the weapons they had used to defend themselves, and the art they had created long before any European stepped ashore in their country.
I admit that I had a hidden agenda. First, I had never been to the museum. Second, I was currently learning about the Indigenous Peoples in Canada in an online course and was curious to make the connection to First Nations people here in Australia. And thirdly, I loved exploring. My neighbourhood, this city, this country, this continent.
And so, I was going to take my students on as many excursions as possible before someone told me to stop. The Sydney Harbour Bridge, the German Lutheran Church Sydney, the Barrenjoey Lighthouse in Palm Beach, and now the Australian Museum. Not to forget my twice-weekly mini-excursions to local parks and on bush walks with my Out and About afternoon activity groups: the Wildflower Garden, the St Ive’s Rope Park, the beach, and oh, all the playgrounds we could go! Rocket Park, Flying Fox… the crazier the name, the better!
So here we were, ready for another adventure. The school bus was going to take us downtown to the Australian Museum, where we would learn about the real explorers of Australia – the Aboriginals. Museums are tricky with 24 eight-year-olds. They are still tricky, even for me. Overwhelmed by the sheer amount of things to see, do and touch, one tends to start running from one display to the next, unable to take anything in.
“Can we go shopping at the gift shop?” At least this student knew what she wanted to see and do.
And so, I created a little drawing activity for my students where they were to find objects in the Garrigarrang Exhibit and draw them: a tool, clothes, a piece of art, or their favourite thing. Completing their little assignment slowed them down, at least for a bit. And to me, there is no better teacher moment than seeing my students lie on the floor in a huge museum, entirely absorbed by what is right in front of them, oblivious to anything around them. Even the call for shopping ceased for a moment or two.
“Perhaps the first rule of everything we endeavour to do is to pay attention. Perhaps the second is to be patient. And perhaps a third is to be attentive to what the body knows.”
Barry Lopez
My explorations have been more local lately. I moved out of my boss’s home and into one Airbnb (very nice but not right at the beach – I’ve become spoiled!) and then to another Airbnb (not so nice but close to the beach). I love wandering the streets, exploring the different neighbourhoods with palm tree-lined streets, their little cafés, and the small shops (Can we go shopping-girl would be happy!). The flowers, benches, and little things. I have ventured into the City regularly and have explored different neighbourhoods. And though I am nowhere near to being familiar with this place, I am getting better at knowing my way around. I feel myself slowly (very slowly!) turning from a tourist into a local-ish person. Exploring helps me feel that I belong and fight the loneliness lurking in the dark hours. Sunshine or not.
“The effort to know a place deeply is, ultimately, an expression of the human desire to belong, to fit in somewhere.”
Barry Lopez
We had a great day at the museum, learning about this place called Australia. We studied the First Nations, touched corral from the Great Barrier Reef, played with magical sand, ran from one display to the next, and slowed down making origami animals. We had lunch in Hyde Park and saw the statue of Captain Cook, who was not the first to discover Australia! And at the end of the day, we went back home on the school bus, tired and happy and feeling a bit more connected.
When we drove past a huge shopping mall, I heard the familiar voice call: Can we go shopping? Some students still had some exploring of their to-do. And so do I.
Cheers!
Thoughts From the Upside Down 