Highlights and learnings of Kath's ten days

So, what has happened this week. In some ways I feel the routines from old have begun to sneak back into our life, and that's not necessarily a bad thing. Although, I am going to fight some of those, more on that later. 

I've printed a 'Kath's Calendar' so that when I'm not about Bill might be able to work out where I am. When I was asked to pop it somewhere he would find it, I popped inside his Sudoku Book - he found it within the first few minutes of sitting down! (When Bill's not about I stock take the vehicles - bicycle missing - on site somewhere, white truck missing - probably off site, motorbike missing - definitely off site).

My calendar has been a combination of café work, volunteer work and catering work. It's the catering work that keeps us on our toes, am I at 'Alice Village' or somewhere different? Do I need a ride or can I borrow a vehicle and get myself there?  'Alice Village' is an accommodation facility but it also holds the industrial kitchen for the company I am working for. I often start the shift there, helping Lisa load a vehicle or two with everything from plates, serviettes, aprons etc. and then I drive the equipment to our location and set the tables while the chefs continue preparing the food back at 'Alice Village' and deliver it just prior to plating up. 

This week our locations have included Earth Sanctuary for another wedding (bride and groom had great taste in music and the outdoor kitchen was just the spot for a dance while cleaning up), the court yard at the Base Café, which is located at the Royal Flying Doctors Visitors Centre and the Village itself with food being packed and dropped off at the Desert Knowledge Precinct. Two out of three of these I had not been to during any of our visits to Alice.  

At the wedding I was told that white feathers are symbolic for Indigenous Australians (in this area at least) as they often represent new beginnings or cleansing. People up here find it hard to believe that I've never attended events with First Nations people before, they find that mind boggling. I think it's just a reminder of how large and varied our big wide land is. But it is certainly one of the highlights of this trip, being surrounded by culturally diverse people. The catering crew are from Alice Springs both Indigenous and non-Indigenous, China, Japan, England and I think Central America. 

I had two work highlights for the week. The first was definitely the work at the Base Café. We listened to young men singing as they checked out the sound system. One of the girl's, the Japanese girl, inquired "What language is that?" All I could say is that it was one of many, many Indigenous languages. 

The guests we were feeding were mainly young people who had come together from various areas across Queensland, the NT and I think WA, for a three day mentoring program. Their shared connection was their involvement in ICTV - an online Indigenous Community Television Station. (google it if you'd like - I have but I haven't made time to watch any of the clips - my bad!!).

An elder from this region, the Arrente region, spoke. She reminded me of Aunty Ursula - a wise woman and just when you think your conversation has wrapped up she leaves you with a 'pearl' to think about. I won't do Dorothy's speech justice and although she had her 30 year old grandson by her side to make sure she flipped her pages in the correct order her mind was as sharp as sharp. She didn't welcome anyone to country, because "It's too late, there are already roads and houses here," she said. However, she introduced herself by her skin name telling all that it is our duty to know who we are, where we come from and to know our family values as that is how we know right from wrong. She made it clear that we needed to know those values as it is our responsibility to pass those values to our family and young ones. She spoke to one and all and when I served her the cup of tea she'd asked for I said I'd felt privileged to hear her speak. She asked if she was clear and could I really hear her, she was gorgeous. And then she dropped her pearl, "I'm glad you could hear me speak the Queen's English." 

My other work highlight has been sitting and eating lunch with these four lovely ladies after food has been delivered to the Desert Knowledge Precinct. We chat, laugh and share stories of our very different lives.

Bill's day are being filled with moving trucks and machinery that sits in the outside area around the camp grounds. And when he's got time off he's starting to tinker on the white truck to get it ready for the trip home - that's the bit of home routine that's slipping in - Bill tinkering with stuff. Oh, and Bill suggesting that a day/night out includes watching cars that can be driven really quickly. When his eyes lit up on hearing that the Speedway was operating on Saturday night I quickly checked that tickets were still available for Ian Moss and Troy Cassar-Daly! Luckily they were. After a meal together at 'Sporties' the men went to the speedway and Lee-Anne and I went to the Araluen Art Centre for the best music performance I think I've ever seen. This is Kath fighting off the old habits - not every outing needs to be based around cars - LOL.