Friday, February 13, 2009

Now he's trying the whole day, to switch off time by causing train delay

It's 8am. I was woken by the smell of fire. I jumped out of bed and ran into the kitchen, convinced dad had forgotten to unplug the toaster and we were both going to die in an electrical blaze. No fire in the kitchen. Okay, so maybe one of the apartments below us was on fire, I looked over the balcony. No fire down there, but the smell was even stronger. It's the air.

For a while I lived in a small town in England. I used to walk around the old side of the village to smell the smoke coming out of the cottage chimneys, the woodfire smell was somehow comforting. This smell is not comforting. There are no cottages, no chimneys. This is the smell of something that has ruined hundreds of people's lives.

When the bushfires started many of us weren't shocked; living in Australia we're no strangers to the occasional bush fire. These fires were different, even before they started they were predicted to cause havoc. The fires have taken over 181 lives, destroyed wildlife, property, and entire towns. This is something that Australia has never seen before. Even the sky over Melbourne City is red. The smell waking us up, reminding us of the people and animals who have died. It no longer feels surreal. It feels like a nightmare.

If there is a time I have ever felt patriotic it is now. Getting sentimental usually makes me cringe, but I am amazed and impressed at the way Australia is pulling together to support the victims of these fires. In times of crisis the true nature of the Australian people comes out, and it makes me happy- to the verge of teary- to be one of them.

You can donate to the Australian Red Cross Bushfire Appeal


Photos from: smh.com.au




Photo from: ninemsn.com.au

6 comments:

  1. I thought I should add that since posting this I have found out that the reason the smoke is so strong in the city is due to backburning, to prevent the fires which are out of control from reaching the area.

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  2. It's amazing just how much our country & the Victorian community directly affected by the fire has pulled together to support each other. Some countries don't have that kind of culture.

    & I was rather bummed to throw ALL those cupboards out. There was no Narnia, nor abundance of fur coats to be kept. I thought about keeping one of them, but the hassle to move it back and forth while I cleaned up was too much. Besides, it was WAY too much fun to tear them all apart. =)

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  3. this is such a tragic thing to have happened, and it makes me feel sick to my stomach. i hope that australia knows how much people in far away lands are thinking of you all, and everyone affected.

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  4. :( I am so sorry about this. I have donated money! Not mcuh though...I wish ther is more I can help. The stories are so tragic.

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  5. I feel so bad bout this tragic,but now i proved that whatever happens,the australian people are still one..

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  6. i also think its AMAZING how the whole country has chipped in and done so much for everyone affected by the fire. ahhh we are so patriotic. its so wonderful.

    i actually really love the smell of smoke but now smoke equates to death and destruction and i feel so guilty!

    O.O okay i will soooooo make the most of my high school years then. actually I'll TRY to. can't promise you much.
    but all that stuff you mentioned about getting older...its so sad. But getting older has its perks too! Like freedom and drink driving. i mean...drinking & driving.

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