Different Field, Different Grasshoper
We have been fortunate, and privileged over the last couple of months to be taking part in Sail Indonesia, a fleet of sailing vessels, many of them sailing around the World, who have joined together with the Sail Indonesia Rally from Darwin to Singapore through Indonesia.
It is interesting to talk with these folk, global travellers, about their experiences in Australia, in Cairns and how they compare with their experiences around the World.
Moreso it is enlightening to see this group of people who could be considered to be "haves", after all they do own boats and have the means to sails long distances and support themselves although many do it on, by 'our standard' on a shoe string budget, compared to those who are really "have nots", for example the West Timorese and Indonesian peoples of places like Kupang where the Yachts enter Indonesia and commence their tour of the country.
The 'haves' of the Western World certainly have the material possessions and the desire to accumulate material possession often for the sake of them. The West Timorese people often leading a traditional life, certainly do not have material possessions but do have happiness with their lot, a true society of mutual support and many of the better characteristics of societies of people that we have lost in the West.
Interestingly we had no concerns moving about in Kupang or Kalabati any time of the day or night, but I couldn't say that about our home town of Cairns after midnight on just about any night of the week or even during daylight when we see senseless bashings and muggings that seem now to be almost a daily occurrence.
And it seems ironic that those with the least share the most, and those in the world that are the "haves" as opposed to the 'have nots" are least willing to share not only the material goods that they have but also the spiritual warmness and common kindness and acceptance of mankind. Their parting words were often, "thank you for coming to see us and to share our lives, you are welcome back at any time and are now part of our family, we apologise if we have not done as much as possible for you or if you are disappointed with anything you have had or seen today, but we are only people and not perfect". I would add "but more perfect than many in the western world!"

On each occasion they wanted to know what they could do FOR US, not what they could take from us. Maybe we could start thinking about that in the promotion of our tourism businesses that need to be regenerated.

On our first night in Kupang the Provincial Governor hosted a dinner, entertainment and welcome ceremony for the entire crews of the yachts and each person was presented a gift to commemorate the occasion. The Ministry of Tourism provided a wonderful 15 hour tour the next day right into the most remote highlands of West Timor where we had the opportunity to share life with these villagers. They were open, sharing and provided each of us with a gift again. A truly humbling and levelling experience. Only days later we experienced the same in Kalabati.

In the West we judge people by what they have, in these areas they are judged for who they are. These people are happy and contented with their life, largely without material possessions and it does make one wonder - who is really in the best situation with leading a real and satisfying life - the haves or the have nots?

I guess the answer lies in the symptoms of what is becoming an increasingly dysfunctional community of substance abuse with alcohol, extreme substance abuse with drugs, depression, suicide, senseless bashing and muggings and one can only be left to wonder where it is leading to?

Just maybe the grasshopper in the barren field is more appreciative of the finer things in life than the one who has everything in lush fields. It is worth remembering also that every field has lean seasons, droughts and floods and they move from field to field. We often feel entitled to the lifestyle we have, we could however have been born into much different circumstances and should remember that when judging our neighbours who are not as materially well off.