Australian Stereotypes

I guess that I have never realized how much people sterotype. Talking about it in class made me realize how incorrect it is and at the same time, how much I do it. When we discussed Australia today and Hannah asked us what came to mind when we pictured Australia, I said kangaroos... and I have actually been there. For 5 weeks I traveld around to over 15 cities and saw nearly every type of person and landscape I could imagine. A few weeks after arriving we lived in the the Australian Outback with an Aboriginal tribe doing community service work for 8 days. Since I had arrived it was the first time that I actually felt like I was in Australia because, other than the Sydney Opera House, the only thing that came to mind when I thought of Australia was the Outback. Thinking about it after class today I realized that was, in fact, a direct result of the media. Even in pictures we get such a limited view of what Australia really is. And only a few years later, even after visiting countless parts, the things that automatically come to mind are the crocadile hunter and aboriginies. It takes a minute for the skyline of Melbourne and The Great Barrier Reef to appear. I wonder what makes me hold on to those sterotypes? I guess it is because , in a way, they are true. But are they bad? I definietly don't want to be viewed as a dumb blonde but I do get satisfaction out of proving people wrong... I guess that sterotypes only really become a hinderance when we fail to be open minded as a result of them. 

Port Douglas, Australia.