First Day Simpson's Gap

Breathtaking! centering ourselves after the busy term.

















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Here are some photos from the plane

The view from the plane when flying to Alice Springs was worth the trip alone! Our God is an artist!

















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Location:Nicklin Way,Warana,Australia

Please excuse typing errors

Have tried to edit some of the posts where auto correct has gone nuts....particularly Day 2, which should read special NOT Racial. I hope you can get the gist of my writing despite the errors. Thankyou :)

Day 8 "In spite of appearances, how can the journey actually continue?

Day 8 "In spite of appearances, how can the journey actually continue? Didn't feel like much brekky today. had a good sleep, finished packing and then we went to get some last minute purchases. we then headed for the airport, to return the vehicles and fly home. We checked in, my luggage over the 23 kg weight limit, so I had to pay $20 excess luggage. We then had a group debrief and reflection in the cafe area. sitting on the Qantas flight I had an interesting talk with a man who was a high school teacher/ tutor, middle school years.  he'd been in Alice for sometime now. when questioned about the intervention, Aboriginal affairs, changes over the years, etc he said that he kept out of all of that and didn't want to discuss it, he just did what he did and that was that. He drove a bus which collected students from their homes in the camps and got between 2 to a dozen students. He felt there were plenty of employment opportunities but then again his son works in the bakery at Coles, so maybe we are talking about different types of opportunities when looking at the town? Main employment industries, tourism, running the town and Aboriginal affairs, also the American research base. didn't find out much about this when we were there but there are 300 homes for the American workers...not sure where there children are schooled and feels that they get their food sourced from outside not as part of the general community. interesting? No new housing being built or developed as Alice is land locked due to Aboriginal claims on the land. As a result prices are based on demand and extremely high. his two bedroom box, as he described it is worth between 400 k and  500 k. He said main violence is between the clans, not Aboriginals against the whites. Interesting. said our goodbyes at the airport. such a great group of people will miss them....sounds funny I know. Mark and kids there to pick me up. Rory couldn't believe I was wearing jeans, but it was 10 degrees cooler than the 38degrees we'd been used to. Words won't be able to describe the experience to others, as wont the photos. Profound and unique!Many personal reflections and introspection as this part of the journey finishes but it really is the beginning of a new awareness, motivation, acceptance and learning.

Day 7 Friday "Where is God now, as the journey comes to an end?

Day 7 Friday "Where is God now, as the journey comes to an end? It has been raining for much of the night. I wasn't sure if we'd still be meeting to go for our sunrise viewing of Uluru and then onto our wAlk at Kata Tjuta.It ended up that 12 of us were up for the adventure....whatever that might turn out to be. It was 5.45am, dark and raining and off we set in the mini bus, with Terry driving. We drove to the Turn off to WA and travelled along that road to the Dune viewing area where we could see both Uluru and Kata Tjuta. It was drizzling Now some of us had rain ponchos....mine was safely back in my suitcase in Alice Springs!As the sun started to come up we could see a burning purple, orange glow coming through the clouds near Uluru. The sky changed to a purple color near Kata Tjuta and you could see the colors come alive, the reds, browns and greens. the ground cover lightened to a creamy color with the red dirt and Green shrubs. We then headed off for a drive around Uluru to see WATER on the Rock!!! just awesome!!! everyone locally as said that this was such a blessing to see this natural wonder with water running and glistening on it! how many more Rich experiences can we have? Incredible! After a 360 degree viewing we went on to do  "The Walpa Gorge Walk " at Kata Tjuta. the landscape was certainly different....rocky ground, barren, like days from the dinosaurs. So many senses alive here! The sounds - running water, wind, birds, crickets, crunching of the rocks as we walk. The smells, like the rainforest, fresh, green, leafy, wet soil. Sight- green lush bush, brown rocks, a rich brown with red, round rocks, jagged, water in the grooves and small holes made from missing rocks and erosion, a myriad of colors from browns to greens and all in between.  We managed to make it back to the resort for breakfast at 9.45am, thinking that brekky finished at 10am, so we pleasantly surprised it finished at 10.30am. Mary and I checked out and then we caught the shuttle bus to the shopping centre at Ayers Rock Resort. First we went past the camel tour place, so That's the only way I got to see camels, as we didn't see any in the wild. We went past some of the structured tour "tent" camp set ups. Some were on the ground, others were off the ground on a base. Don't think that'd be for me. At the shopping centre I just wanted to pick up a couple of pressies for home. We grabbed a coffee, then back to our resort to leave for Alice. We travelled in 3 groups this time. One group had already left, as they were doing the soup van. Another group wanted to leave later, as they wanted to go back to Uluru to get close up pics of the water. We were the inbetween group, who were heading out to the Labyrinth at  " Campfire in the Heart." So on our bus were Deb, Glen, Sean, Beth, Melinda, Mary and I. We had a smooth trip, 4 and a half hours again. Very smooth check in also. Mary and I unpacked small bag we'd taken to Uluru and packed our suitcase for the trip home, then we went to the shops to look for some pressies and memorabilia. It was then time to go out to Campfire of the heart, Sue and David's place, where we'd spent much of Sunday. I've never experienced a labyrinth. being Good Friday, it was a full moon, clear sky and just beautiful. There were 7 of us, Beth, Kim, Melinda, Wendy, Deb, Mary and I and about another 7 people. David lead the group and did a fantastic job. We all started around the outside of the labyrinth and at intervals entered, hitting a bell as we did. The prayer was to be one of gratitude as we walked around slowly, the labyrinth providing a focus, meditative tool. People could stop when they wanted or wait at a turn for others to pass by If they were at a different pace. I wasn't sure how it would go with people walking so close by but it had a flow to it, people pausing, stopping, walking slowly. I felt extremely focused and found my heart overflowing with prayers of gratitude.....so many blessings in my life! halfway through the labyrinth you come to a central point where there is a fire and we all gathered there. we were asked to share some words if we wanted to and then David performed a smoking ceremony as a form of healing. We were asked to take in the smoke as we left the centre to finish the second party the labyrinth. We sang a song but the parts I remember are Do not worry, do not fear, Jesus is in me. At one time the smoke from the fire with the light behind it looked like the rays coming out from the cross, like the resurrection.....so powerful an image. it was a feeling of being at one with the earth, nature and the presence of God. The crunching of the gravel under foot, the crickets, the stars and moon, the 3 crosses in the garden. I thought that I am not here by accident but rather that God had a plan for me to go to uni at the Catholic Uni, to get my degree and teach at Unity, so that I could be given the opportunity to come on this pilgrimage and be here in this place at this very moment. No accident! I love feeling this connection to God and being with people who are aware of their spirituality and are willing to discuss this and share their feelings. Just amazing. felt a silence come over me...too much sometimes to put the experiences into words. Too late for dinner at the resort now, so we decided to get pizza.....the best pizza we've had for a VERY long time and in usual NT style, the largest. We ordered a party pizza with a large garlic pizza bread.....for 5 women, Melinda, Beth, Wendy, Kim and I...what were we thinking? Half seafood and half vegetarian ( being  Good Friday). we sat outside and ate it with more discussions and then time for bed.

Day 6 Thursday "Who am I as an Australian, in this spiritual place?

Day 6 Thursday "Who am I as an Australian, in this spiritual place? The days have gotten hotter and hotter, each day increasing by a degree..from  36 degrees to today's hot conditions. This week had been preceded by two cooler weeks, more like home temps of min 12degrees to tops of 28-30 degrees. Breakfast then drive to Uluru. We had an hour long guided tour with a ranger who took us around the Mala Walk. this showed us many caves used for different purposes and also some of the stories to explain the formation or use of the areas. At the end of the walk we ended up in an area that was like a cathedral with water....quite an oasis. The ranger demonstrated some of the tools used by the Indigenous people of the area. the Arrente people don't describe themselves as Aboriginal or Indigenous, they use a different term. this is important for us to remember s we talk about different clans and groups.   The whole group apart from Deb and Glen Then did walk around base do Uluru. Took 2 and a half hours, 42 degrees, 5-6 bottles of water. Walked with Wendy mostly, which was just wonderful...great pace and very interesting person. She has had so many travel experiences and very wise, calm view of the world.  We couldn't get over the changes in faces of the rock. each few metres or each corner with a different light, colour, texture. The surface of Uluru has to be seen to be believed. The rock has a large quantity of iron and as a result of the atherng it is literally covered in rust. Amazing. Wendy and i did lots of Stopping to listen, deep listening of the wind and sounds like birds. The Aboriginal language and music played in one area was  Very powerful also. We Took our own pace.....experiencing. Being in the present moment. The landscape changed from one side to the other One side was more bushy with trees, the other side more barren. One side obviously gets more of the water running off it which is evident from the black streaks you can see. It was Extremely hot at the end. Cathy, Melinda and Sean were before us with Terry, Mary and Kim just in front and with us at times. We met a German toursit Iris who was TrAvelling Australia on her own. She wasn't worried about this and had been enjoying her time. The Others walked behind. We found out later that Mia hadnt been feeling well so she had to be picked up later by car from one of the stop points. Debbie and Glen did Kata Tjuta instead. After our long walk, which was simply a blessing we spent time at The Cultural centre. We were hot and dusty and there was no chance of recycling these clothes for another wear so we Returned to the resort for a swim in the pool. The juxtaposition from the red hot walk around Uluru to be submersed in the blue, fluid water was incredible!!! All there except Beth and Mary. We decided to enjoy a cooling G & T. Had a great nap in the air-conditioned room before meeting for our debrief at 6.30pm. Prayer of gratitude for the energy form others during the trip and from Times like today from the rock with the wind that was like a breath of life.....breathing life into me. this trip has reenergized me to do what I need to do when I return for myself...continue to find out my heritage and also an energy needed for school to work with the Aborighinal students, the Rap committee projects like the garden and painting, helping to prepare and organize the trip to Murgon. This was followed by a sensational dinner at the Bough Restaurant and Bar. Yum! I had oysters, mussels, prawns, stuffed calamari, Camembert cheese, kangaroo, crocodile, a variety of salads, finished off with a little dessert. very enjoyable eating together as a whole group. We are really lucky to have this group to journey together, as we have shared our stories and laughs and special moments. Everyone has gotten on really well. Dom took us for a walk to the mole hill for a view of Uluru and kata Tjuta at night With the lightening. just meters from end eating area and you could see both Uluru and Kata Tjuta Early start in the morning....so this quick overview of day and then sleep.

Day 5

Day 5  Wednesday "What is being revealed as I journey to the centre (personally, professionally and spiritually)?" Dadirri - inner deep listening and quiet, still Awareness. In convoy, we headed off in 3 vehicles on a 500km trip to the centre of the centre, Uluru, Traveling at speed limit of 130kph. I was in the bus (seats 12). Stopping approximately half way at a roadhouse, at the turn of the Stuart highway named Erlundra.   Along the way we were held up at road works, in the middle of nowhere. Good photo opportunity! Another very hot day, changing landscape, no wildlife visible. Was hoping to see camels along the way.  Sharing this pilgrimage with wonderful mix of people. each person and vehicle has to pay to enter the National Park, $25 and you have to have your ticket on you at all times. It was SO EXCITING to see Uluru and to be here!! It was a bit like when you're a kid and it's Christmas! Uluru is enormous, majestic, just incredible!  We explored the Cultural centre which has a great presentation, explanation about the local people and culture. We decided we had better go to the resort and check in, unpack and get ready for the sunset viewing. The accommodation was lovely, although the check in was very unorganized.  We unpacked And  2 cars went out to Uluru while 5 people went to the Sounds do Silence Dinner. There were lots of clouds around and distant storms. the lightning was spectacular! we set out a spread of cheese and nibbles and enjoyed the view! It was quite windy and we were hoping for the lightning to come across the rock for the ultimate photo op. Mia surprised us with her canapés of with witchetty grubs and cheese on crackers whilst playing"Great Southern Land" on her iPod. Too funny, but the music was very moving! Can't believe I'm here!! The centre of Australia, Uluru, this ancient spiritual site, WOW! There were a line up of cars and people all looking and admiring the changing sky and colors of the rock. Feeling the wind and counting our blessings. When it was dark and we couldn't take any more photos we headed back to the resort. Mia, Terry, Mary and I went and spent some time together listening to the music near the eating area. I had a girl introduce herself to me. After asking where she was from and what she did, she said she as a teacher...not a Christian. I thought this was an odd comment but continued on with our conversation. She was a new teacher who'd just worked for the term in a remote Indigenous community just south of here. When I was retelling this story to the group, they think that she must have thought I was a buddhist because of my hair? I thought it interesting that she would have worked in such a challenging place and yet have a stereotype about me. It was an interrupted nights sleep with the most incredible storm, thunder , lightning and rain! The thunder felt like it rumbled along the ground and was never ending....sounded very different to our storms.

Day 4 "What might life be like living in a remote Aboriginal community  In Central Australia?" we drove to Santa Teresa on dirt road approx 1 hr. Visited the local school all Aboriginal population. Greg is principal In 5th year. Teachers generally last at the school for 6 mths to 2 yrs, have 2 teachers currently in their 3 rd year. In staff room met with two Aboriginal women, Imelda and Rachel, part of the strong leadership   Team. They told the story of the Arrentre people. The changes forced  upon a once self sufficient thriving community, by the super shire changes and also the Intervention. Housing is a major issue as is unemployment. Lease agreements have been enforced for 5 yrs which allows anyone into the community. The Government won't fix housing problems or build more until the community agree to a longer lease. A government appointed position introduced into community without any consultation. Community store taken over and now profits don't go back into community as they were before. The  Profits  used to fund the watering and maintenance  of the oval. There used to be an orchard set up, operated and managed by the Aboriginal people in the community. When the shire came in, they reduced the water supply,saying they were using too much water and as a result the orchard didn't have enough water to operate so they eventually closed down and 10 jobs were lost. The community doesn't have a voice! they are just trying to set up a cooperative which will have members from all parties on it to deal with these issues. Imelda has been on SBS with regards to the housing problems and Intervention. very articulate, must look up. Up to 3 families are forced to live in a house. Went into yr 3 classroom. Doing Easter activities. English and Maths at yr 1 level...journal writing using 30 words,  learning o'clock Couple of kids didn't like my hair, wouldn't sit next to me. They have lunch at school. Go home  for an hour at 12.30 pm and then come back after an hour. They are Doing Easter dramatisations, same as our year 3 last yr...garden of gesthemane. Visited the spirituality centre with Sister Liz and met Mia (meaning mother ) who is a healer. Women have created their own industry with their art. Up to 28 artists who get paid. if an item$40 then they would keep $30 and give $10  back to keep project going. make beautiful paintings, painted objects and silk scarves.  Went to the Keringke Arts Centre  Tour through local church, which has to be seen to be believed! Made by hand of stone. inside is painted with stories from creation of world and religious interpretation of local people. Just breathtaking, so talented. Drove to water tower and then climbed goat track to see 360 degree, magnificent view at top of hill at the large white cross. Santa Teresa named from little bit of flour.....to little flower....translated to Saint Teresa meaning flower.. That's how it got its name. Dinner at Lassaters Casino....the something rump, two for one deal....had  yummy salmon. Hit a wall tonight,  extremely tired, just showered and bed, pack in the morning for Uluru.

Day 3 "What might life be like for an Aboriginal person in Alice Springs" Had a great sleep last night, exhausting days and itinerary but wouldn't want it any other way! Such rich experiences. So didn't wake up until 8am! Uploaded my long and made a phone call home to speak to my lovelies, who are having a terrific holiday also! The itinerary can have slight changes as we go and because of my late start, thinking that we were meeting at 9am thought I had plenty of time for breaks but there was a change so missed the visit to a local high school to see their new hall. Wandered the town to Woolies to pick up lunch supplies for tomorrows visit to Santa Theresa School, and had a lovely coffee. Funny comment to make but lots of Aboriginal men around this morning which have been noticeably absent over the past two days. We have seen plenty of women and children of all ages but not so many men. One of the stall holders we were talking with yesterday, the one who'd been part of the stolen generation was telling us that the men in the immunity have been displaced over the years and have lost their role in the community and as such are lost themselves. She said that they traditionally the main decision makers and disciplinarians, but those roles have been taken away as they have very little to do with the decisions that are beIng made about them. Communication or lack of it is a major issue and having an enormous impact on the Aboriginal people in Alice Springs and the NT. Because the men have lost their role and are seemingly removed they don't discipline the young ones when they are wayward and the women cannot do this as traditionally it is not their role. Unlike white women who can tell there children off and step in to discipline, aboriginal women can't. This is causing big problems as any of the young men have no direction. She felt that all parties in the community need to come together and talk to each other for a solution to be found. We asked if she thought this would happen and she said it would have to happen as their society is disintegrated bit is becoming worse and worse. Her symbol for community is ever present in her artwork, at the heart of it. Theresa was saying that she has set up groups in the common nifty centre so that young girls can learn to gather and make bush medicine, learn skills that have begun to be lost. There eare groups for the young men also to learn skills to make spears and hunt etc. They have groups for elderly people particularly there women on how to look after themselves, their health and their spirit. Theresa has used white education to educate herself and is in a piston. Where she can use both and see both views to stag then her culture. he believes that education is the key! We want up to the Anzac Lookout and had a 360 degree view of Alice Springs. very hot say todAy 39 degrees! The heat is tricky because you feel hot but don't really sweat so I've ended up with headaches....sneaks up on you have been drinking about 4bottles of water plus water wherever you go. We then visited the Indigenous Early Learning Centre, part of OLSH school. this is a no fee paying centre for a indigenous children which has previously not received any government funding, until Julia Gillard visited last year and has now approved funding of the next two years. They were finding that although there were  plenty of centers of Aboriginal children to go to, they weren't. So they set up this centre and a bus goes to the houses and cAmps and collects the students every morning. The kids are brought to the centre, fed morning tea and lunch and there clothes are washed. they participate in programs as we would have n our schools.  they as then dropped home via the mini bus after 12.30pm. Such beautiful kids! We played in the home corner, making food for the babies. we built towers from blocks and glued pictures and then sang songs on the carpet together. They  can take 18 children. The children were very happy to have us there and demanding of our attention. they loved having their photo taken and then viewing it. A few of us then had the privilege of taking these children back to their homes on the bus. This was the difficult part, to take them from a safe and healthy environment to such poverty, violence and neglect. only 3 of the 18 children went to a home which we would consider to be ok in a poverty stricken environment. only 1 child as welcomed with a hug. these children don't know what they will face when they get he. Most of the family don't even come out to greet them. one child can hardly speak because he has suffered abuse where he is never spoken to. The positive thing is that these kids get to experience school and understand how to operate within a school environment because the Only way out  for them is education. They will go to the school that is closest to them and the current statistics show that most will drop out by Yr 10. The average number of Aboriginal students who graduATe from OLSH is 5!  The camps that these children live in have to be seen to be believed.. many don't have electricity, some no running water..one of the students, Elizabeth, sleeps on a mattress in the open air with a mosquito net in a camp called White Camp. The government don't want them to live there so they don't provide them with any services, in the hope they'll leave. These are truly fourth world conditions! very disturbing! we were back late from this so the schedule went out the window todAy. we made a visit to Imparja, the local indigenous tv station.  4of us had the opportunity to help with the St Vinnies soup van at 5pm. I wasn't sure how that would go or what people to expect. If you approached an aboriginal person in the street they wouldn't speak to you as a rule. The people who came to the van wanted to talk and share their stories. The first older Aboriginal man was funny, he didn't like my hair, he was asking me why I had my hair short like that, that women should have long hair like him, he liked that better. it was all good natured and I laughed and told him it would grow again. Which it really is growing! another lady had a very sad story, which is quite reflective of the situation faced here by most Aboriginal people, one of poverty, violence, hardship and sadness. She has four sons, 2 are in jail, 1 just got out of Juvenile Detention, he's on his last chance and then she has a 14 yr old. her husband is in jail and she misses him terribly, and struggles to look after her other children financially and emotionally. Her concern was at she wasn't going to have food to feed her son on his community service and she wanted us to give her some sandwiches to take home with her. Which we did. There were about 30 or. More people who came, mainly mores and children and teenage youth. A young boy was calling to me that he'd seen me in his community at church the day before, I guess I stand out in a crowd with my hair at the moment. Another girls who was helping with the van has lived here for 6 yrs and said that when she came it was a thriving, bustling happy town. In the last few years with the intervention and Tiger airlines pulling out, the town is now dying and a totally different place. She said businesses are closing, no new businesses are closing to town and people don't go out and socialize any more. was a great chance to talk to Aboriginal people which is where the learning in this experience is. We had dinner at the pub up the road. it is unsettling to walk around at times. It is a true dichotomy in Alice Springs. Inside the pub a different world from outside. Beautiful food, sad images outside and a power walk back to our hotel. 

Day 2

Day 2 Everyday has been like 3 days, with the amount we have managed to experience! Today after a beautiful breaks to fuel us we were lucky enough to have the local markets in the Todd Mall which is just outside our hotel. They are only fortnightly, so that was great timing. There is a huge range of market stalls, from food, clothing, second hand wares, oxfam, most importantly Many locals bring their paintings to the market and sell them. The authentic ones are usually spread on the ground in front of the Aboriginal person who is the artist. They will tell you the story about the singing, what it means and will sign the back. you can ask them to have their photo with it for authenticity. These artists are so very talented! They each have their own style. You know that the. Only goes to them rather than being paid a pittance and on sold Ina gallery. When walking the mall, we found the lane way in the scene from Samson and Delilah where Delilah is trying to sell her paintings to people outside a cafe. We were speaking to another local artist/stall owner about her art and then she shared part of he story with us. She was part of the stolen generation and discussed her past and the effects that the current intervention is having.  We then Went to the Amoongunga community to share in their Palm Sunday Church service. We were overcome watching the Aboriginal community Processing to the church with palms in hands following the Priest. The crowd coming down the dirt road as they were with children, dogs, elderly people in wheelchairs singing along as others played guitars, headed by the Priest in his robes. Like the joining of two cultures.  We were welcomed and felt welcome throughout but it was also an uncomfortable feeling that stirred emotions as we followed readings and songs that most of the community would be unable to understand due to their lack of knowledge of the English language. It would have been far more appropriate to in some way have something more influenced by the culture and language with which they live. The congregation are collected from the different town camps by mini buses and returned again after the service and morning tea. We were then invited to a BBQ at " Campfire of the Heart" hosted by David and Sue to cook damper and kangaroo tail and listen to and talk with local Aboriginal people about the intervention, their life stories and living in Alice Springs. We met some of the most incredible and inspirational Aboriginal women. These women have written books, taught in schools, started programs to reintroduce their culture to the younger generations and have a huge impact on the religious education in the local area. They are influential women in their culture in that they are strong and committed to making their cultural connections strong again. The Spirit was at work today! Beth, our tour organizer met Theresa one of the women I'm talking about at the service this morning....what's so s Racial about that? She went to boarding school with her and worked with her in NT and then lost contact with her. After seeing her again, Theresa and her daughter spent the day with us and shared much wisdom about her 'Country" , culture and the work she is doing in Alice Springs. After the BBQ we were going to visit Emily and Jesse Gaps and it turns out that this was Theresa's Grandfather country. She shared the dreAming stories for these areas. Such a richness! Both areas were again breathtaking and we got to share in the sight of Aboriginal rock art at Emily Gap. Theresa had a spiritual insight into me that was a very emotional Experience, which I can share with you another time. I,m not able to post photos from here because it uses up too much Internet usage very slow and costly- that's IT in