A Town like Alice

With apologies to Neville Shute, I had to do it.
When I took the job here, I knew roughly where Alice was- somewhere in the middle of Oz , equidistant from all Australia's beaches. Alice was settled in the early 1800's, mostly by miners, prospectors, and cattlemen searching for fortune.These characters brought invention and ingenuity to the heart of Oz. They also brought some firsts for this huge land. The laying of the Overland Telegraph Line that opened Australia to the world, the establishment of the Old Ghan Railway, the world's first motorised road train, and the Royal Flying Doctor service, the first aerial medical organisation of its type. I find these accomplishments amazing for a town that isn't that big, but is unique. Where in the world do they annually have a boat race, actually a regatta, that has these ingredients-a dry riverbed, bottomless boats,plenty of human horsepower, and a delight in the ridiculous? Also a day at the Races- camel races.....
The hospital is the largest employer. Consequently most of the bars and eating places have special rates, all we need to do is show our ID. Sweet.
I have booked myself a 3day/2night tour to Uluru(Ayers Rock ) at Easter. I am not sure how long I will be here, so need to see as much as. We camp out under the stars in swags....not sure about the snakes, scorpions etc.I will keep you posted. Not a fan of bus tours, but...needs must.It is cheaper than hiring a car. One of the nurses in the compound has a car, so she is taking 3 of us away for the day on Sun. The Macdonnell ranges head 400 km eastwards, and 400kms westwards of Alice. There are such huge distances here-I thought we were just up the road from Uluru- 466km actually. I think I am something like 1600 km from Darwin!!!!!
Here endeth the Geography lesson for today, just snippets I thought were really interesting on doing some homework over weekend.
Take care and look after each other.

Near the end of my first week in Oz.

I am able tonight to get into my blog so here I am.

I am sitting here in the Dept-(silent compared to earlier in the day), at a computer which is on line 24/7 to send urgent CT scans, ultrasounds etc ,to Adelaide for reporting.So after asking some pert questions was told just help yourself so long as there is no emergency happening.....So here I am..

Tomorrow will be my 5th day here at Alice Springs Hospital-Alice Springs is very pretty, town is flat, but is surrounded by hills(similar to the Maniototo hills).It tends to have big landscapes, big skies. The photo is looking towards Alice, from the air.Alice is beyond the hills in the middle ground.
A high percentage of the population are indigenous people- aboriginal. A very interesting race, I haven't had a lot to do with them yet, but the ones that live in town here have basicly been ostracised by their tribes, for whatever reason, so many live in a compound sort of thing, and lot just live on the streets, and a lot live in the riverbeds,(until the floods of course).There are a lot of health issues, high infant mortality, high foetal alcohol syndrome, infections, osteomyelitis, etc.They get drunk, get cut on glass, dont "notice" for days/weeks, the wonder why they loose limbs etc.They walk out of hospital, dont turn up for procedures, but often come back for meals, and bed.They dont speak to you, or make eye contact, so it is difficult to make conversation....
I am in a residence where we share bathrooms and kitchen, but have a sink in my room. It is all air conditioned. I don't think I have had a full night's sleep yet tho, the conditioning sounds like there is water continually running beside my room-very noisy .I realise I will get used to it. The outside temperature has been in the mid to high 30's, with night temp "dropping" to about 28.I think I am getting acclimatised- I just keep drinking water- lots going in, very little going out!!!!! Inside conditions are very pleasant.They had a huge downpour on Sat before I arrived, consequently the Todd River flowed, and flooded.A very unusual sight- it very rarely runs. Because of the humidity there is an abundance of bugs etc. It is fascinating- all over the floor are these black beetles about 2 cms long.not doing anything, but hiding under doors, and just walking!!!! I can count about 15 just around my computer chair...Went into town after work last night and there are crickets, lizards all in abundance on paths. Amazing birds that I can not recognise , very frustrating. It is very amusing,(to me), some of the staff are talking about their "pet" gheckos.These fellows live inside under furniture etc, and keep the house rid of spiders etc. They are really encouraged.....

This photo is the Todd River in flood, something to be recorded as is a very rare occurance. My first landscape here in the Outback..........

Many thanks to all the msgs I have had sent. I have doubted my actions many times, but here I am, and I think I am enjoying the work,so very different to Riccarton and Moorhouse.

Feel free to comment- thats what this for. If you want to be personal...just email me.. : ~ )

Last week of work in NZ for a while

It is with mixed feelings I head in to my last week of work in New Zealand. It is 30+ years since I worked overseas. I would like to thank all those friends who have responded to my change of email note.Thankyou for all your good wishes. It has all happened so fast, I probabaly wont think much until I am on the plane next Sat afternoon. I have a night in Sydney as there is no connection with the one plane a day to Alice. I arrive in Alice lunchtime Sunday.
Many have commented on my being brave at this very mature(?) age to decide to leave. Don't know about being brave... needs must.
Many thanks to my friend who set this blog up for me...he knows who he is..I owe you(I know nice shiraz..)