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Alice Visited Twice
“…unknowing international tourists get robbed by such people…”
I have visited the Alice twice now. As an English person, I was somewhat surprised at the exploitation of Aboriginal art in one of the main streets. Shop after shop of dots and things that were supposed to be “traditional,” or so we were told.
Now Ms Albright tells us some of it is painted by backpackers and others in need of a cash fix.
I have always suspected the tourism industry to be a sham. It can be just the selling of images, impressions, tastes and other superficial things.
In one of Alice’s international money exchange shops, I wanted to cash in some Euro bank notes. I had been told earlier by a bank that my Euros were worth in the vicinity of $Aus 600. The money exchanger said it was worth $Aus545 . I declined, took my Euros to a Westpac bank further up the street and was given $Aus670. Back I went to the money exchanger and told her the amount I had been given by the bank, and I wanted to know why she had tried to pay me much less. She just shrugged her shoulders and said, ‘The rate changed.’ I wonder how many unknowing international tourists get robbed by such people.
Another time I stopped with a Dutch friend at a coffee shop with outside tables along the footpath. I asked the waitress how much was a cup of their coffee. She said, ‘Three dollars.’ My friend said, ‘Why is it so high?’ The waitress said, ‘It isn’t high at all. You won’t get a cup of coffee for less anywhere around here.’ My friend said, ‘Yes, you can. I bought a coffee yesterday in another shop for $1.50.’ The waitress said, ‘Well, go back there.’ Charming attitude!
Shameless exploitation of visitors does not encourage further business. Some people seem to think that tourists have a sign on their foreheads saying ‘FOOL.’
Another thing that made me very wary was the number of drunken Aboriginal people wobbling up and down the streets. One woman tried to sell me a dirty sort of painting for $50. I handed it back, saying it was not worth anything like that amount. For my trouble, she abused me with a mouthful of the filthiest language I’ve ever heard, and she followed me up the street continuing with more of the same …
Anothing thing noticed were shop staff. Many are surly and unco-operative, especially in supermarkets.
Alice Springs is a very beautiful place and I will be returning again and again. It’s a pity about some of the people who live there.
-Wendy Fawcett.
