Australia - Uluru’s Keystone
of Tradition & Tranquility Written and Photographed By Kevin Skochil
Uluru rests as a distant oasis in the center of a culturally
and geographically traditional landscape. Although marked by the
popular ‘outback’ stereotype, Uluru sits distinctively
apart from the modern world in almost every aspect. Technology
and progress have served only to turn the area into an accessible
destination, while preserving much of the customs of the local
Pitjantjatjara people.
Located in the Northern Territory of Australia, Uluru is seemingly
placed in the middle of the continent, allowing Ayers Rock - the
world’s largest sandstone formation to serve as an apparent
anchor to the desert scene. The Aboriginal heritage is inherently
present in the region. Guests are educated and encouraged to participate
in the respectful local practices. In a land that can claim ancestral
ties going back further than 10,000 years, visitors immediately
grasp the subtle gravity and essence of the land.
However, it is not the iconic commercial aspect that instantly
captivates you. It is the impressive beauty and inherent solace
of the territory that grabs your mind. The red sand radiates
the hum of the traditional didgeridoo played by local artists.
The eyes drift away in the miles of vast open terrain.
Speckled by the occasional tree outcrop or large dune, the entire
region lays ironically active in its false dormancy. Changing
light causes an endlessly transforming landscape. From dawn to
sunset, new aspects of the desert are brought into view, and then
altered to reveal an uncharacteristic softness. ‘Peaceful’
does little justice in describing the world that envelops you
with every step.
Take a short walk into the bush and you can sense the enormous
reach of history. Visit either Ayers Rock or the Kata Tjuta outcrop,
and you are able to stand witness to the breadth of time and its
steep traditional meaning. The solace, the peace, and the beauty
of the Northern Territory is unparallel in such a raw form. Uluru
is an unquestionable stop for anyone wishing to find harmony in
a simple world.
Kevin Skochil
is a mechanical engineer and part time general contractor.
His photographic pursuit began as a desire simply to capture
the moments that played out before him. Quickly, the desire
to explore his hobby more artistically became a driving goal.
Today, Broken Window Photography has become a common freelance
avenue for both social and civic needs.
