Just what a well built Aussie bloke needs -- a good strong ute.
Is that a Coolibah tree beside the abandoned house? Every Australian knows about Coolibah trees because the bush ballad Waltzing Matilda is nigh on our unoffical national anthem but most of us live nowhere near the inland where they grow. Once a jolly swagman camped by a billabong, Under the shade of a Coolibah tree, And he sang as he watched and waited till his billy boiled, You'll come a Waltzing Matilda with me. Waltzing Matilda, Waltzing Matilda, You'll come a Waltzing Matilda with me, And he sang as he watched and waited till his billy boiled You'll come a Waltzing Matilda with me.
Both images are sooo full of symbols. Not bad ones, you realise.
ReplyDeleteI used to have pre-conceived ideas about blokes that drove cars like these - til I met a local fellow who is one of the sweetest, gentlest people you could know.
ReplyDeleteBlokes and their utes. Great combo for your post.
ReplyDeleteSydney - City and Suburbs
I suppose _he_ doesn't look at a girl ;-)
ReplyDeleteYour pictures made me curious about something that i feel like a fool asking . . . as an American, this guy looks very familiar. So do the trucks. My question is, what do Americans who look just like this guy think of the Australian version of themselves--and the reverse too.
ReplyDeleteAny chance you know?
I would love to hear Joan's take on Mary Ann's question.
ReplyDeleteMary Ann, I think that is a good question. I have been wondering myself what makes these particular images Australian versus rural people in other countries.
ReplyDeleteSo firstly some observations on what I think:
* an Aussie ute is much smaller than an American pickup truck.
* His hat is an Acubra whereas the American is more likely to wear a cowboy hat.
* This gentleman though tall is likely to feel small beside many American men.
* He will be using his ute for shooting kangaroos or wild pigs. I don't know what American's shoot.
* When they talk they will have very different accents.
Now what will they think of each other?
* The Aussie is patriotic judging from the flag on the ute but the American will be even more patriotic.
* The Aussie may know more about America (from watching American TV shows) than the American knows about Australia.
* Even though their humour is different they will understand each other.
* They will enjoy each others company.
Joan Elizabeth, thanks so much for your reply. I'm inclined to agree.
ReplyDeleteI'm really unsure what it is Americans shoot, other than game in season.