4350 kilometers from Perth to Sydney, with the Indian Pacific Train. Five days long and a few stops: Australian gold rush in Kalgoorlie, Cook, a ghost town, wine tasting in the Barossa Valley, silver mining in Broken Hill. And endless expanses.
We, my wife and I, are curious to see what audience we will meet. Who dares to go on such a journey?
There are 197 passengers on board and we go on a social exploration tour. There are many contact options. Dinner and lunch are served in the dining car, at the table of four. At every meal, it’s an opportunity to talk to people we meet.
They are almost without exception Australians. Our observations:
- Australians associate the “Indian Pacific” with a cultural trip to the historic gold and silver mines, a part of their national identity.
- The train is considered a mobile country outing that you do at least once in your life. A status symbol for local explorers.
- The “Indian Pacific” is a product for slow travel. A concept for which you have to have the time. Domestic travelers appreciate casual vacation times and often plan extended trips through their own country.
We experience the rhythm of the country in slow motion, consciously take the time for conversations and enjoy every sunset over the Nullarbor plain. This form of slowness changes our view of holidays in general.
We are actually immersed in the middle of our own travel culture. Gold diggers, ghost towns and endless expanses open up not only a landscape experience, but also a gateway to Australian identity, step by step.
>> And you? How do you find access to new cultures?
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I am Bernd Scharbert and I support leaders with the guiding principles for intercultural leadership. It is also about cultural characteristics and how to deal with them in globally composed teams. If you are interested, feel free to contact me directly.
