Yesterday was a lot of firsts for me.
We departed Alice and drove to the community of Imanpa where I was initially due to stay. It was mind blowing, I can't really do it justice here in the ten minutes I have to update this blog but lets just say, I have never been anywhere like it (not even Quandialla mum). The compound, where the whitefellas live, has high fences all around it and is locked up at night. It was red, flat and we had to be introduced to a few of the elders before we were allowed to drive in to make sure we weren't tourists (apparently German tourists try and rock up every now and then to take photos).
We drove on to Yulara and stopped for the night. Our accommodation is in a boarding school paid for by government and set up by the church. Not ONE person is enrolled for this term. Not bad for a $8.4m government intervention project. It's mighty flash tho and I sure enjoyed the sleep over, which must account for at least $100.
From my dorm window I can see the Olgas to the right and Ayres Rock to the left! We arrived here just in time for the sun to set over the Olgas. Magic! I will upload a photo when I can. The colours in this place are unbelievable!
The person driving us is Alison, she is a youth worker with Mission Australia. Thank god for her, she knows all the locals and last year was even invited to a return ceremony for 'mens business'. She is staying on in Docker River with us for 10 days which I am very grateful for. She has a pottery wheel and oven there and will run some classes with the elders which she has invited me to sit in on.
My other travel buddy Lauren is at hospital at the moment being tested for swine flu. She was in contact with a family member who tested positive before she left and is coughing. Alison was nervous about her taking swine flu out to Docker River where health is already fragile. There is a good chance I will be going to Docker without Lauren, the test results are back in a week and she may have to wait it out.
So far the NT is not what I had expected. I really couldn't have imagined that it could be this stunning.
Hope you are all travelling well.
Love Shanny of the big red rock. x
P.S. Oh and in case you are wondering, yes 4 girls did run away from the circus! We passed them on the bus and they were made come back to school, when I asked them where they were going they said home (7 hours in a car).
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