Now there's a headline you wont read if you live in Sydney !!!
As part of my new employment, I must commute an average of 45 minutes to an hour to my location for every shift. Lucky for me, it's located a mere 5 minutes walk from Granville Station in Sydney's western suburbs, and if I so choose I have the option of driving it in.
If it isn't too long, I don't mind a daily commute. - If I'm in the car, I'm free to blast metal or listen to an array of pre-programmed radio stations. If by chance the wife requires the car for the day, the train provides ample random amusement also. Sometimes gazing out the window at suburbs going by, is a nice way to observe the pulse of life in various places. Other times within my chosen carriage I observe people and I often get caught up wondering where those people are off to, or what their day might present.
This all brings me to yesterday and my train trip - A story of random generosity and multi-cultural divides being broken down, if only for a brief minute.
A few stops before I reached the end of my trip, a semi-familiar aroma entered the train ... mmmm - hot food !
I surveyed the upper-carriage where I was seated for the newly arrived passenger tucking into a bowl of something yummy. I could not find them and quickly moved on to other distractions. A few brief minutes later, I had to get up, and ready myself for an exit at my station. Upon walking down the stairs, heading towards the door ... there was my answer !
Three Muslim folks, each with a Box of Pizza ! - I'm not talking any old Muslims ... we're talking your ferociously devoted Muslims complete with beards, hats and hijabs. Two guys, one lady and a couple of prams. Clearly they had a busy day ahead.
While tryin to reconcille the thought "Who eats pizza at 9.30am ?", I happened to make eye contact with the nearest fellow and casually remarked "Ahhhh, THAT'S what smells so good !" ... before I knew it, a Pizza Box was centimetres from my nose and he gestured "help yourself".
I insisted "Naaaahhhhh ...". He insisted with his arms "go right ahead" as he devoured his slice. We did this little charade another 3 times before I relented and asked "Are you sure ?", to which he replied "It's Lebanese Pizza bro, have some !"
What he could not have known was I skipped breakfast that morning. He handed me two slices of warm pizza base with some terracotta coloured paste on top. I noticed his box contained a quarter of lemon ! - I'll be God Damned if that wasn't some of the best tasting pizza I've ever had.
Midway through the first slice, my station was approaching. I had just enough time to wish them a good day, thank them and say goodbye. I forgot to grab the name of the topping however I'm reliably informed by my traveling Army of Bulldogs fans that is was "Hajem B'ajien".
As I walked off with second slice in hand, I was a happy dude.
Random goodness purchased and delivered from a Muslim family .... pause to soak that in !!!
It occurred to me, in a world where newspapers will sensationalise, and pre-conceived stereotypes abound ... the reality couldn't be further from what "they" (the media) will have you believe is the truth.
Here's a family (like mine), on public transport (like me), going to the city for Doctors appointments (like I sometimes do). Rushed for time (like I often am), they opt for some tasty local fare by some familiar face in a shop they know well, in order to save time and carry on with their day (like I often do).
For anyone who thinks "they" (Muslims) are from a different idealogy, need only look at the exchange between me and this family last Wednesday morning. A random interaction with an Aussie is NOT met with suspicion, instead it's welcomed with offerings of their own food. No agendas. No sideways glances. No historical prejudices.
I have people who are listed as friends on Facebook who chant from the high heavens about the failure of multi-culturalism. The recent case in the media of Carnita Matthews and her allegations against NSW Police are forefront in the mind of most narrow minded idiots.
What I find, is that there isn't much difference between us at all ... This is western Sydney. We're all busy. We've all got our own shit to deal with. We've all got families. Heck ... We all like Pizza.
If you want to be a backward thinking redneck who lives in fear of the unknown, and sit comfortable in the bubble of prejudice and convenience you've created for yourself - FINE ! But I'm here to tell you, the reality is far from the perception, and quite frankly I dont have the patience to listen to thinly veiled stereotypes backed up by idiotic reasoning. - Accordingly I will be slowly deleting those friends from Facebook.
So here's a challenge to you all, especially you nationalist types .... When you're out and about next, and you come across a Muslim, an Asian, or one of the newer African refugees ... instead of hiding valuables, moving carriages or crossing the road ..... "smile".
All of those pre-conceived ideas will disappear - It might just get you fed and make your morning !!!
As part of my new employment, I must commute an average of 45 minutes to an hour to my location for every shift. Lucky for me, it's located a mere 5 minutes walk from Granville Station in Sydney's western suburbs, and if I so choose I have the option of driving it in.
If it isn't too long, I don't mind a daily commute. - If I'm in the car, I'm free to blast metal or listen to an array of pre-programmed radio stations. If by chance the wife requires the car for the day, the train provides ample random amusement also. Sometimes gazing out the window at suburbs going by, is a nice way to observe the pulse of life in various places. Other times within my chosen carriage I observe people and I often get caught up wondering where those people are off to, or what their day might present.
This all brings me to yesterday and my train trip - A story of random generosity and multi-cultural divides being broken down, if only for a brief minute.
A few stops before I reached the end of my trip, a semi-familiar aroma entered the train ... mmmm - hot food !
I surveyed the upper-carriage where I was seated for the newly arrived passenger tucking into a bowl of something yummy. I could not find them and quickly moved on to other distractions. A few brief minutes later, I had to get up, and ready myself for an exit at my station. Upon walking down the stairs, heading towards the door ... there was my answer !
Three Muslim folks, each with a Box of Pizza ! - I'm not talking any old Muslims ... we're talking your ferociously devoted Muslims complete with beards, hats and hijabs. Two guys, one lady and a couple of prams. Clearly they had a busy day ahead.
While tryin to reconcille the thought "Who eats pizza at 9.30am ?", I happened to make eye contact with the nearest fellow and casually remarked "Ahhhh, THAT'S what smells so good !" ... before I knew it, a Pizza Box was centimetres from my nose and he gestured "help yourself".
I insisted "Naaaahhhhh ...". He insisted with his arms "go right ahead" as he devoured his slice. We did this little charade another 3 times before I relented and asked "Are you sure ?", to which he replied "It's Lebanese Pizza bro, have some !"
What he could not have known was I skipped breakfast that morning. He handed me two slices of warm pizza base with some terracotta coloured paste on top. I noticed his box contained a quarter of lemon ! - I'll be God Damned if that wasn't some of the best tasting pizza I've ever had.
Midway through the first slice, my station was approaching. I had just enough time to wish them a good day, thank them and say goodbye. I forgot to grab the name of the topping however I'm reliably informed by my traveling Army of Bulldogs fans that is was "Hajem B'ajien".
As I walked off with second slice in hand, I was a happy dude.
Random goodness purchased and delivered from a Muslim family .... pause to soak that in !!!
It occurred to me, in a world where newspapers will sensationalise, and pre-conceived stereotypes abound ... the reality couldn't be further from what "they" (the media) will have you believe is the truth.
Here's a family (like mine), on public transport (like me), going to the city for Doctors appointments (like I sometimes do). Rushed for time (like I often am), they opt for some tasty local fare by some familiar face in a shop they know well, in order to save time and carry on with their day (like I often do).
For anyone who thinks "they" (Muslims) are from a different idealogy, need only look at the exchange between me and this family last Wednesday morning. A random interaction with an Aussie is NOT met with suspicion, instead it's welcomed with offerings of their own food. No agendas. No sideways glances. No historical prejudices.
I have people who are listed as friends on Facebook who chant from the high heavens about the failure of multi-culturalism. The recent case in the media of Carnita Matthews and her allegations against NSW Police are forefront in the mind of most narrow minded idiots.
What I find, is that there isn't much difference between us at all ... This is western Sydney. We're all busy. We've all got our own shit to deal with. We've all got families. Heck ... We all like Pizza.
If you want to be a backward thinking redneck who lives in fear of the unknown, and sit comfortable in the bubble of prejudice and convenience you've created for yourself - FINE ! But I'm here to tell you, the reality is far from the perception, and quite frankly I dont have the patience to listen to thinly veiled stereotypes backed up by idiotic reasoning. - Accordingly I will be slowly deleting those friends from Facebook.
So here's a challenge to you all, especially you nationalist types .... When you're out and about next, and you come across a Muslim, an Asian, or one of the newer African refugees ... instead of hiding valuables, moving carriages or crossing the road ..... "smile".
All of those pre-conceived ideas will disappear - It might just get you fed and make your morning !!!