The Paradox of the Quest for "Authenticity"

Wally Jacob talking about the rock paintings (slate.com)

"As Wally* puffs on his cigarette and grins up at the piiwi, I realize that his very strength as a tour guide is that he doesn't really give a crap about tourists. Instead of trying to deliver standardized cultural information, the Pitjantjatjara elder is merely offering me the chance to tag along as he enjoys a stroll in his homeland."

Over three years ago, the IESers and I made the pilgrimage from Adelaide to Alice Springs, sleeping in swags, drinking litres and litres of water and never going to the bathroom because any form of water basically evaporates in the blistering outback sun, counting down the sleeps until humid and lush Queensland, climbing mountains, singing Don Henley at extremely loud levels, and attempting to have, as much as possible, "an authentic experience."

I think that Slate contributor Rolf Potts provides an accurate and appropriate description of his time on the tour in Uluru National Park, much like the one we had.

*In fact, Wally Jacob, the Pitjantjatjara guide pictured, is the exact the same tour guide we had on our trip. I remember him so vividly.