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.