The Backpacker Project by Allira Cornell

Firstly I went to the Beach Hotel. "There must be lots of backpackers there, it's World Cup final tonight. I'm sure I'll be able to spot them, everyone tells me you can." People advised me to listen to accents, but my ear has been numbed by living in an international city for the past 6 years. Then the music started and I realized it would be far too loud to even initiate a conversation, let alone ask 17 questions… I walked down the main street, wondering if I had to go as far as invading their personal territory - The Backpackers Lodge…

I was discouraged when the first people I gingerly approached - a Scottish couple - refused to be photographed. Then I walked up to a group of 4 Japanese people, trying to look friendly, but they couldn't even understand me asking them "How well do you speak English?" I didn't really need an answer then... I tried to tell them to have a good stay and went away quickly, without rushing.

Then I spot a girl sitting alone. "Excuse me, where are you from?" (I had decided that this was the best opening question over "Are you a backpacker?" or "Are you a local?") "Canada" she says. Ahh, I think we have a chance here, Canadians are pretty friendly people… "I'm doing a photography assignment. Do you mind if I take a photo of you and ask you a few questions?" She proved me right. She was here to surf. She thought the best thing about Byron was the surf. She thought the worst thing was that it was too crowded (at this time of year?). I asked her all the questions and then went to take her photo. The camera jammed. Ok, maybe there's not enough light in here (I doubt it, but anyway…) I got her to come outside. It still wouldn't work. Embarrassment rushed over me, I got frustrated and tried to hide how upset I was that there was something wrong with my camera. I tried again, pointing it anywhere. I started worrying about what she was thinking and whether she'd be offended at the fact that my camera wouldn't take a photo of her, or think I was some idiot playing a stupid joke.

"Are you going to be around for a while?" I rushed out completely flustered and totally at a loss… what was I going to do? What the f*** was wrong with my camera and why did it have to do it right now??? I went to camera house, but it was closed. In desperation, I shook it and kept trying to take photos. Then it clicked. I looked at the display in disbelief it said Err (error). "Oh no!"

I opened the back (remembering that it only winds the first bit of the film on when it is loaded, so you only lose the first few frames if you expose them) but everything seemed ok. I closed it and pressed again. It made a weird clicking noise. I turned it on and off and tried again. It clicked and wound on. I checked the display and sure enough there was no more error. I turned on my heel and went back to the backpackers, taking some shots along the way to make sure I got past the exposed section of film (But trying to make them good shots anyway). When I returned, my Canadian girl had gone. I walked all over looking for her, but to no avail. Damn! First one wasted - oh well, I'll hang around and do some more and maybe she'll come back…

I go into the Games Room and see 2 girls playing pool. "Where are you from?" "Melbourne" "Oh" I said, and walked out, regretting my rudeness, but I had to get on with things - too much time had been wasted already!

I saw a group of 3 guys sitting at a table. Two of them looked like they may be from the same country; one of them was reading a book and the other was playing cards with the third. I walked up, trying to put a brave and friendly smile on my face… They were from Israel and Switzerland, and seemed ok about me invading their space for a while.

I started with the Israeli guy who had been reading his book and left the other two to their game (though they remained interested in what sort of questions I was asking). His name was Amit. He seemed thoughtful and quiet. I snapped away during these moments when he was thinking of his answers. I figured this was the best time to capture his personality. When I was finishing up, my camera jammed again! "Maybe it's the battery" he offered. I looked at the display, but it said the battery was still half full. Anyway, it was worth a shot… "Will you be here for a while? I'll be back in 5 minutes"

I ran for Woollies, going through the routine of trying to make it work again as I went. I asked a girl walking to where I had came from if she had the time and she indicated that she didn't have a watch. "No-one wears a watch in this town!" I gasped.

"Are you staying at the backpacker's?"
"No, are you?" "Yes."
"Where are you from?" "New Zealand"
"Would you mind if I took some photos and asked you some questions when I come back?" "Sure"

I bought batteries, all the while marveling at how true some stereotypes can be - everyone's always told me how friendly and outgoing and approachable they are. I can't wait to go there! I gave my camera one more try. Of course, it worked!…then jammed, then worked. Ok, change the battery. (At this point, I have begun to seriously worry about how this film's going to turn out and have become increasingly worried as time goes on - I know I've got some really nice shots!) I ran back up and continued with Yves (from Switzerland), Kafir (Israeli guy who loves San Francisco!) and Sam (short for Samantha) from Aotearoa, "the land of the long white cloud"…

I had noticed earlier when I was reading through the questions, preparing for the assignment, that they were all based on Byron; I wanted to know more about the people I would be meeting. So I added some questions which I thought would give me a clearer picture of who they are. During and after this whole experience, I wished I had added more (such as their age, which I managed to ask a few and birthday; what type of music they liked; their favourite animal, colour, etc.; their philosophy of life, which often came across anyway…)

I found it interesting that a lot of them misinterpreted the meaning of the question: "What's your passion?" - they seemed to think it related to what they wanted out of life. I guess in a way it does, but I would have answered "photography", not "I want to be a photographer". Maybe it is entirely my fault, as I ended up wording it "What's your passion in life?" because I kept being asked what I meant by their passion. Eventually, I changed it to "What are you passionate about?" The language barrier was only present in the associative sense of the words, and cultural backgrounds became apparent. They all spoke English well (though I had a few embarrassing moments with accents) and I later regretted not asking them where they had learnt it.

I went into this assignment apprehensive, and had to overcome a lot of obstacles to get it done, but I left knowing 5 people a little better, 3 of whom I talked to for an hour and a half after we had finished 'business', and one of which I have traded e-mails with and have the potential of a new friend… It also warmed my heart to know that no matter where they came from - Guelph to Jeurusalem - they would all stop wars, hatred and fighting if they could.

I found this assignment both enlightening and enriching, and I would like to continue it as a personal exercise in understanding humanity and making new friends!