The French and I had an 'at home' day today, a lazy day taking in some of the many activities available around the Ayers Rock Resort. Perhaps we had a feeling we needed to soak up some inspiration for our art lesson this afternoon.
After breakfast in our cabin, we headed across the bush track to Town Square. The camping ground is peaceful and sits easily in its environment. It feels the same on 'other side' of the track - even with the two hotels, apartments, restaurants, cafe and shops. The shapes and colours of the buildings, outdoor meeting areas and way finding reflect the surrounding colours - reds, ochres, purples, greens and silver greys. To me, this 'resort' is a great example of how to get it right. It seems to have everything visitors might need, but it's low key and for the most part barely visible until you are here.
Having spent the day at Uluru on Thursday, it's difficult to imagine that in the 1960s there was a hotel, four motels, shops and a service station in the national park, at the base of The Rock. Thankfully during the 70s it was decided that the accommodation and services should be moved outside of the park. By the early 80s the Ayers Rock Resort was established. And in 1985, the Uluru and Kata Tjuta national park was handed back to its traditional owners.
Back to today, after a coffee at the Kulata Cafe, we ducked in to the souvenir shop next door - not a lot of artistic inspiration there (see first picture). So we moved on to the Wintjiri Arts and Museum - much more interesting. On our way back home, we stopped by the bush yarn meeting place at just the right time to learn about the hunting tools of the Anungu.
After a quick lunch back at the campground, it was time for our dot painting class in a group of 20. We began by sitting in a circle around local artist Sarah who (with the help of an interpreter) taught us a few of the main symbols of Aboriginal art including people, man, woman, place, journey, water, dunes, animal tracks and minga (tourists). Like most Anungu and other people of the western desert area, Sarah speaks six languages, the last of which is English.
Soon it was our turn. We moved to painting tables where we each had a small canvas, one thin paint brush and a narrow wooden stick and five paint pots - rust red, ochre yellow, green, blue and white. It was such fun and so engrossing that the 40 minutes painting time passed very quickly and, for me, it was a rush to finish. As usual, The French was better organised.
We sat again in the circle with our 'masterpieces' in the centre on the ground - including Sarah's - and we briefly explained what we'd painted. The French and I were surprised to see how 'complementary' our paintings were and to discover the common elements in our stories. What a fun afternoon. And what fabulous mementos. I'm sure we can find a place for them at home.
Having spent the day around the resort, we are struck by how quiet it is here even at this busy time of year. People seem to take their cue from the environment and respect that this is a special place. Or maybe the French and I have just been lucky!
Off to Kings Canyon tomorrow.
J X
