Well I've made it back home after a 5 day excursion to the outback!There is so much to tell and I wish I could capture every moment to share with you all but there just isn't enough words to explain.With that said, bare with me I may be a bit scattered brained!

This experience was very much like I expected.Physically, mentally, emotionally draining, yet so fulfilling.I will try to give you all a glimpse of what our adventure was all about.

Friday morning, 4:00 am my alarm went off and lucky us, the girls and I were off to the airport.Once we had landed in Broome, Western Australia (only a 2.5 long flight) our adventure had begun!Everyday was filled with many activities as well as deep discussion with the Aboriginal people.

The first day we had the opportunity to go on a sunset camel ride on the beach.It was so awesome.Becca and I were on one camel and we were the leader of the pack (naturally).The colors in Australia are so powerful, between the sun setting in the sky to the red dirt roads, and blue waters.It is hard to capture the scenery in words, so you will just have to go take a look at my pictures and my Video I posted.They will give you a better understanding of the kind of sights I was surrounded with.We were able to swim in the water that day as well.It was nice cool and refreshing.

After a long day of touring the city of Broome we were off to bed about midnight.Talk about a long day, considering I had been up at 4:00am and we all know how much I need my sleep.Needless to say, I passed out at the hostel.The Hostel was the Notre Dame's Broome campus housing.At that point I had no complaints. We all had beds and running indoor plumbing.

The next morning we packed up again to head out to the real Bush, the Kimberly, WA!It was about a 4 hour drive.Mind you it was non-paved roads!From the moment we drove off the pavement onto the purely red sand I became so overwhelmed.It brought back vivid memories from my experience in Africa. The colors and the environment was a replica of my experience 3 years ago.I wish that you all back at home could have experienced it as well.

Once we had reached the campsite we began unpacking and setting up our little village of tents.Five to a tent (that was fun)….Dinner was prepared (spaghetti) and silverware was forgotten.I received the real authentic experience of eating in the outback with my hands!Any way that was just a side note.Once we had our campfire discussions were all turned in for bed.Little did we know we were being chased by a cyclone!! The winds had picked up and I maybe got one hour of sleep.Because of the strong winds our tent had snapped in half and collapsed on us during the night!Never felt like such an outdoor women in my life!Even beyond Africa, the shower and toilets were outdoors on a cement block with four walls around it.Once the sun had rose at 5:30 we were up and at em'to start our day.

A decision had to be made and were needed to evacuate the campground for the cyclone was predicted to hit the next morning. Im sure you all could imagine me having tears because I was no longer going to have to sleep on the ground and shower with a spickit!Haha.Just to clear things up I was absolutely thrilled!I was going to have a mattress and in door plumbing!!We travelled back to the Hostel we had stayed in our first night.

Now with all of this happening you must understand Africa time and Kimberley time are very similar.No rush, no structure, no plans, and definitely no itinerary.We as well as the Aboriginal family we were travelling with did no know what we were doing until we were doing it.Nor did they have an intended plan for the following days.

Because we were unable stay in the Kimberly outback we were able to have many different experiences that other groups in the past were unable to have.A few things we did throughout the trip was:

Learned how to go crabbing

Met the first Aboriginal woman of parliament in Australia

Created our own Aboriginal art work

Learned how to make a spear, throw the spear, as well as went spear hunting

Met a member of the most popular Indigenous band of Australia, as well as had a private concert

Visited sacred space of the Aboriginal culture: including seeing footprints that were visible in the rock from their ancestors 7000 years ago

Most importantly our trip was filled with deep, reflecting discussions between our group and the Morgan family about their culture and beliefs of being practitioners of modern aboriginal culture.Talks about religion, racism, influence of Westernized culture, and the horrific history Aboriginal families were faced with were just a few topics we talked about.

This trip was also just like Africa was, I learn more about my own culture and about myself more than I thought I would.I wasn't expecting it to be as challenging and thought provoking.

I could go on and on but I suppose that is a brief summary of my trip.Take a look at the pictures and the video.They speak 1000 words.Other than that there isn't too much new.Just now getting into the homework mode, although I do go on vacation in two weeks!Sounds like Arlena and the Grzegorczyk family had a great time in France!Can't wait to see pictures and hear stories abou that trip as well. Take care and I will be talking to everyone soon! xoxoox