Camping in West Kimberly

For my Australian History class there is a mandatory week long field trip to the West Kimberly to learn about the history and plight of Aboriginals. In my lectures and tutorials I learned that the struggle of the black Australians properly referred to as Aborginals was a similar story to the Native Americans…white settlers claim the land, spread diseases, punish and kill the natives.

We boarded a two hour flight to Broome, north of Perth. Then we met our family that we would be staying with and (I got into the most comfortable truck I could find with my friends) took a three hour drive to the preserved land.

This is the road we took to the campsite, I was amazed by the red dirt.

Day 1

Setting up my tent was a task but thankfully mu friend Christina, was an experienced camper. I’m a city girl, despite all my summers in Canada I never have gone camping…until now.

Our group had story time with Colin, a second generation Aboriginal. He has a great sense humor and a very kind heart. Someone asked him if he had a hobby and he said, “Chasing and killing white people off their land”. The whole group roared in laughter.

We took our benches a few yards away from our tent to find some shade. When its over 100 degrees outside, the shade is the first thing I search for.

I learned that Abroginals have existed for nearly 80,000 years. There are three main laws in Australia; White law, Aborginal law and the men and women’s law within the tribes. Each tribe has rules and there are nearly 1,000 different languages.

“Godia” means white person.

Colin said that marriage is sacred to Aboriginals and that he would love to have Kim Kardashian there.

Each tribe has a skin name; which represents their original family name before the white Australian settlers changed their names because they could pronounce or understand them.

One rule about marriage, a man and woman cannot be wed is that descends from the same family name despite how distant they are. If they do, they will be hunted and killed.

At night, we all gathered around the campfire and had beef stew for dinner.

Day 2

During our second session of story time with Colin we discussed topics such as alcohol, drugs, suicide within the Aborginal community. I was very interested in the last part of the discussion about racism in Australia. Racism exsists and is present in Australia because many white Australians do not know the true history of the continent.

Colin asked us all to share a story if we have encountered racisim in America. Here’s my story, for my 13^th birthday in Canada my family and I went to the fish market. My dad asked me to pick out anything I wanted to have for dinner. I walked up to the fish tank full of lobster (my favorite). I pointed at the biggest lobster in the tank and I told my daddy that I wanted “That one!” He chuckled and said “Ok, honey-bun”. He told the server that he wanted to exact lobster I picked out and the man replied, “Are you sure? That lobster is very expensive”. My dad looked at the man and said, “I know, I don’t care how much I costs I want that one”. My dad paid and I left happy with the live lobster. I didn’t realize it then but because my dad, a black man asked for the biggest lobster in the tank, the server assumed that he could not afford it.

Colin said that America gives me hope because a black man I running it and that maybe not in his lifetime but someday an Aboriginal could be prime minister in his country.

Shortly after, we had fifteen minutes to get ready for a trip. As usual I packed suncreen, bug spray, water and my camera. They took us to the most beautiful beach I have ever seen in my life. We could swim in the water but we had to be on the look out for crocodiles, crabs and snakes. So I tentatively went in (Sorry mom, I couldn’t resist the water was so beautiful)

For dinner, without hesitation I ate delicious sausages, steak, vegetable medly made by Colin’s wife Maria and potatoes. After I tried a hot cup of Milo, it was yummy, its almost tastes just like hot cocoa. 

Day 3: Mud Crabbing

I woke up promptly at 6:30. I was determined to catch a crab today. Crab is another one of my favourites. I am beginning to think that my dad is right; I do have expensive taste. But, it’s not my fault, I have been raised eating like a queen. I definitely am counting my blessing because I am longing for a home cooked meal from my own personal chef.

I am so thankful my dad made me buy hiking boots. They sure did come in handy during this trip.

As I walked across flat wet sand I realized that it was the bottom of the ocean floor, we only had at least two hours before the tide would come. I stepped in some puddle of sandy water and saw these pretty tiny hermit crabs. As I we followed our guide Vincent who is known as the “Man of Crab Hunting” in Kimberly I struggled to pick up my feet because they were being sucked down into the sand. Vincent told us to step of the mango roots to avoid get pulled down by the sand. I stepped on top of them to save myself! My friend Wangui, was trapped and fell down to her knees in the sand. It was hilarious.

 I grabbed a spear and I eagerly was searching for crab. I began to get discouraged as many of my classmates found and speared their crabs. I prayed that I would be the next person to get a crab. The Lord really does answer prayers. As we were walking back to the cars, Lily one of the volunteers asked me to see if the their was a crab in this harmless looking puddle. I poked around with my spear once, twice and though to myself that it was a leg. One the third try, this crab was hiding in there, it’s ALIVE. I swiftly raised my spear and hit it through the center of its body.

I had the biggest smile on my face. The crab tasted a little sandy but delicious.

Later that day we met Wooway who specialized in making crafts and boomerangs.

Brian showed us how a real boomerang is made with an axe. It takes time and it is not as easy as it looks.

Traditionally, boomerangs were used as weapons between tribes but since it took so much time and energy to make, there was rarely violence between the tribes.

Wooway took us to practice throwing spears and boomerangs. Apparently throwing a boomerang is like throwing a baseball, I tried ir twice but I don’t think I got the hang up it.

Day 4

I was woken up by Wangui, she had to pee at 4 in the morning, it was still very dark outside so we walked five minutes to the small bathroom facility. It’s a long dark walk tot the bathroom, so every night I sleep with the flashlight under my pillow.

For our last little trip before heading off to the airport we went to a church decorated with Mother of Pearl (my favourite, my grandma used to wear it all time, I still have some of her jewellery)

Seeing the artwork and Stations of the Cross reminded me of the importance faith. Centuries ago people who inspired by the teachings of Jesus Christ to spread it across the world. Earlier this week Colin said that does not belong to any church; he respects and knows the story of Jesus Christ but does not have a personal connection to the Lord. Colin’s tribe believes in spirits and they have their own stories about the creation of the Aboriginals.

Despite his viewpoints, I am grateful that Colin and Maria took us to the church.

We said our goodbyes at the airport and I was a little excited to return back to cell phone service. No communication with my family, boyfriend and friends was tough.

Despite all the bug bites, sunburn, frogs and spiders this was a trip to remember and cherish.

Cheers,

Katrina

Easter Weekend

Week 6

On Good Friday I was invited to a house party. Of course, as a rule I went with my two girlfriends. We party together and go home together. This is so important, especially when you are in a foreign land.

Now ladies and gentleman, I like to take my time getting ready. Something told me to do something different and wear heels for a change. Oh Lord, I wish I reconsidered that. We had to run to catch the bus!

The party was classy. My party experience in the USA is quite difference from the Aussies. In the states we get ready around 10 and the party begins an hour later. Now, in Australia parties typically start at 8 or 9 pm.

Some of our other study abroad friends joined us. When we arrived at the house I was in awe. Robert, the host, a nice guy with a Russian accent was cooking pancakes! We walked us to the small backyard where there were two glass tables with candles on it and music playing.

On the very few house parties that I have been too, its always seemed over crowded and sloppy but this setting was idyllic.

There were glasses on the table for us to pour for wine; it was a party with college kids from different parts of the world with class. I was impressed. I would love to go to another house party again.

On Saturday the girls and I went for a nice bike ride. We rented bikes for FREE this is the first and probably only time I’ll be over something for free down under. Anyway, we all put our helmets (we must where them, or we’ll get a ticket) and pushed on pedal and enjoyed the ride on the track. I didn’t realize how much I missed riding a bike. Mine is collecting dust in my shed at home.

On Easter Sunday, we had a fun egg hunt is the house organized by the nun we live with. Everyone was running rampant throughout the house in search for eggs. I found about four chocolate eggs. After we had a wonderful Sunday breakfast meal with bacon, eggs, spinach, mushrooms, tomatoes, bread and tea. I wore one of my floral dresses and went to a Catholic mass. It was nice to dedicate time to my Lord and Savoir. After I went to get an iced chai tea with my friends and just relaxed for the rest of the day.

Living for the Weekend

Week 5

This was the most exciting weekend I have had by far since I’m been down under. On Saturday I went to Caversham Wildlife Park about an hour drive away Fremantle. It was so exciting. The highlight of my day was petting and feeding kangaroos. The zookeepers are well educated on all the fascinating animals I saw. I learned that female kangaroos have not one but three vaginas. If they are pregnant they can delay their progress and conceive another baby. Baby kangaroos are called joeys. My friends and I were amazed when we saw a joey stretching around in its mama’s pouch. The fur of a kangaroo is so smooth and soft. I cannot imagine how soft and comfy inside the pouch.  

The zookeepers explained to us that the white kangaroos are specially breed by them. It was so cool to see the joeys and kangaroos casually hop around. The are so friendly, even small children pet them while their parents warned them not to step on their tails. I will let all the pictures speak for themselves.

Koala Bears! They sleep about 18 hours a day!

I had to be careful to only pet the sleeping koala with the back of my hand. If you don't they could get feisty! 

The owl was a little camera shy

 It's a WOMBAT! 

Joey!!

They look so cool relaxing, almost like humans!

Shaving the wool off the sheep, talk about hard labor. It really is a technique!

The final result, a good trimmer will have the entire wool coat in one piece!

The kids fed milk to the sheep, this little girl was a natural. The boy needed a little help.

It's hardly my first time milking a cow, I have a some experience on the farm in Canada with my family.

I still have the technique down!

On our way back home, our bus dropped us off for a quick twenty-minute visit to the Margaret River Chocolate Factory. I tasted all of their samples! When I asked for another delicious strawberry chocolate ball, this extremely tall gentleman told me, “No ma’am it will go straight to your hips!” I laughed. I’m a long distance runner; so I have no fear that my indulgence in chocolate would put me in jeopardy of getting fat. I love chocolate but dark chocolate is my favourite. As I walked away a little sad, the gentleman smoothly dropped the treat I asked for in palm of hand (that was already filled with dark chocolate chips). I was so thankful!

On the bus ride back to Freo I chatted with a classmate from my Journalism class. I am on a mission to find a story to write about for the local newspaper. Once we got back home, I relaxed in my room and took a nice nap.

On Sunday, I was ready for another adventure, cliff jumping! A group of us followed our kind friend from England to Black Wall Reach in Perth. We took a half hour bus ride and walked for fifteen minutes to reach our final destination.

Note to self, don't look down!

Just jump!

I didn't think I would be in the air for that long!

At last, I'm enjoying the cool water!

I was petrified of jumping but honestly the jump is the worst part! After I pushed off the rock, my adrenaline rush was over. I loved the feeling of being in the air and plummeting into the water. That’s the best part! The water felt just right. Now the climb to get back to the top of the cliff was a little challenging. Did I mention that I had to watch out for jellyfish? There were many jellyfish in the water but thankfully the impact of everyone that jumps scared the jellyfish away. It was exhilarating to jump again and again off the cliff. I can finally say that I have gone cliff diving at one of the most beautiful places on earth!

After we took a walk to the Point Walter Sandbar. Now this is place is truly beautiful. I saw black swans! Thankfully the key word for photography this week was water so I had my friend skip a few rocks in the direction of the black swans. This is the photo I edited in Photoshop that I’ll be using this week.

On our way back to the bus stop, I took one last jump off the cliff. I want to go there again before it gets cold. Oh, cold weather for Aussie’s is about 70-75 degrees.

Once the bus dropped us off in Freo, my friends and I went straight to the farmer’s market. I brought up fresh mangos, peaches, apples, pears, grapes, strings beans and tomatoes. I ate one fried crab leg, four squid rings, and four shrimps with fries. I was stuffed. When we got back home I took a long hot shower, washed all the salt water out of my hair and took a nice long nap. I ate dinner then went back to sleep. I didn’t do any homework. Thank God that I have Monday’s off. I was exhausted but this weekend was well worth it.

Cheers,

Katrina