Eventually we began preparations for a big barbecue. The dancers from Scrub Hill came over today, spending time with the men in the afternoon and preparing to dance for us tonight. I was really excited to see the dancers at night around a campfire. I’ve only seen them perform in the daylight up until now.

The dancers wanted to perform before eating, so just before grilling our meats we tucked everything away in our eskies to keep it safe from the dingos, and went over to the dance area. In the new moon darkness, the men looked spectacular, the white paint on their bodies reflected in the firelight, and sparks ascending to join the incredible array of stars shining above us. Every five minutes or so we could see shooting stars, but tonight we only had eyes for the dance troupe. When Joe Gala stepped out to join the dancers I was speechless. He had small tree branches attached at his knees and arms, and he was a beautiful sight.

Jason led the group this year, and they performed dances from another area. I think I most enjoyed the dance which portrayed the Aborigines first discovery of European bees. Australian bees are small and not very aggressive. The European bees are much larger and will sting perceived invaders. In the dance, Joe stood tall with arms outstretched, representing a tree. The others danced around him, chopping him down. Joe slowly leaned and then fell to the ground. Suddenly, out came the bees, and away ran the stung dancers. It made us laugh, and we would have understood the action even without Jason’s introductory story.

We were invited up to participate in two dances, and it was great fun. We did our best to follow the real dancers, but probably looked a bit foolish. It was still a magical night. After the dancing, Daniel handed out boomerangs, didges, and clap sticks that he had made intending to sell them to tourists. He said he felt wrong trying to sell them to us, so instead he distributed them among the group. I gave him one of my father’s turquoise bola ties as a token of thanks.

Today we put the finishing touches on the mural. We had everyone who painted and everyone who helped us put their hand prints on the mural. After the evening meal we dedicated the mural. We had the plaques mounted and had nearly finished painting. Joe swept the mural with eucalyptus leaves and said an Aboriginal blessing, then swept over our heads and wished us well. Then Roger led us in prayer and we saluted the seven directions: east, north, west, south, above, below and within. I think everyone choked up at his words.

I was tired and went to bed early, but a few students including Nicole and Eliza stayed up and chatted with the dancers around their campfire and got to hear some Aboriginal ghost stories. I later heard they had a great dialogue about spirituality. I wish I had been able to stay up with them, but I had a beautiful night’s sleep.

After breakfast we cracked the whip, getting the students who had finished painting their own designs involved in filling in background areas with color and adding details to the body of the Rainbow Serpent. We were somewhat worried about not finishing the mural, and wanted to be sure we honored that commitment before we went out to explore more of the island.

We got plenty of work done, though, so we packed up a barbecue lunch and drove to Indian Head. Gemma went straight out to the stones below the cliffs and said a prayer for those who had been massacred at this site. Many others walked down the beach looking for interesting shells. Charles brought out the portable barbie (barbecue) and grilled some delicious burgers and sausages. We also had a truly delicious fresh pineapple grown in Hervey Bay.

After eating most of us climbed Indian Head, but Gemma remained behind and Linda stayed with her. At the top we were blessed, sighting two sting rays in the clear water below, a group of five or so dolphins playing out in deeper water, and two or three whales breaking the surface as they swam past us. Joe told everyone the story of Indian Head, though he went up so quickly that some of the slower climbers missed hearing it. I told them what I knew about the area but encouraged them to seek out Joe and hear the story directly from him. I came down after a few minutes, saying a prayer of honor for those that have gone before.

Soon after, we saddled up again and headed for the Champagne Pools. I will never forget how much fun it was to ride in the back of the 4X4 with Gemma. When we would come to an area of road with a lot of loose sand, where it was easy to get stuck, Roger would gun it and drive through as quickly as possible. As the 4X4 slid back and forth and bounced around, Gemma would hold on to the ceiling and scream in wild delight, shouting “go, go, faster!,” and the rest of us followed suit. We had a great time and did not blow out any eardrums.

When we arrived at the Champagne Pools, I was eager to swim, so I ran for the changing room, then ran down the stairs to the beach in my swimsuit. I waded in and the water was cold, but a refreshing cold rather than a numbing cold. Within a few minutes I had plunged all the way in and was floating around in delight. Several others joined me and we had a wonderful time looking at the fish in the water with us. Joe came over eventually to show us a crab he’d picked up - it was gorgeous. He plopped it in the water with us, and as everyone started to move back, it crawled right back up the rock toward Joe’s boot. Joe said, “that fella’s what we call a boomerang crab, he comes back to you.”

I managed to slip on a rock and badly bruised my toe. It turned black so fast and was so nauseatingly painful I thought I had broken it. Thank goodness for Advil. I was fortunate and did not hit the toenail, so I don’t think I’ll lose it.

We drove back to camp in high spirits, had a great meal, and continued paining after sunset using the flood light again. The mural is really coming together. I have been taking photos as work progresses, and I am very happy to be a part of this collaboration.

After breakfast, we painted all morning. Students worked to transfer their designs to the mural. Gemma, Wil and Pi began painting aboriginal designs for the creation story of K’Gari, and Roger continued to paint he design for the island. Ever immensely supportive, Gail and Charles prepared lunch for us while we worked. We were scheduled to go to Allom Lake and to the knifeblade sand blow after lunch. Some of the aboriginal community members were interested in going with our group, so Linda, Donna and I stayed behind and continued to paint. It was a quiet, peaceful afternoon working easily together. Linda and Donna started our evening meal around 4:00 while I continued painting. The experience really reminded me of how much fun I had scene painting during and just after college. It makes good therapy. I am going to have to make a real effort to continue with soul-feeding activities like these when I get home.

When everyone returned, we had our evening meal. At some point in the night Joe spotted a snake. Will or Pi thought at first that it was a red belly black, but it went under the rotunda before we could tell for sure. Many of the snakes on K’Gari are poisonous, so we began to be vigilant about watching where we stepped. We had just started eating when the snake reappeared. One of the aboriginal fellows spotted it near the picnic table where it was very close to Charles. Gail later said she had never seen her husband move so fast. He jumped up from the table quickly, which upset the balance and nearly threw Teri to the ground, but she recovered quickly. Joe came running over and removed the snake, and later called a park ranger to relocate it away from the campground. I love that he did not kill the snake outright as many people probably would have done. The treatment underscored two things to me: first how dedicated the Aboriginies are to the ecosystem around them, and second, how dedicated they are in looking after us as guests in their lands. It is a reminder that they treat us well in ways of which we may not always be aware.

Many of the students were tired after traveling around the island. Gemma, Linda, Roger, Gail and I stayed up and continued to paint with the aid of a generator to power a small flood light. Teri could not get to sleep after the snake incident, so she came out around 10:30 to help with the painting. I got really tired and went to bed around 11:00 p.m. Everyone else quit around midnight. I slept content with the wound of the waves around me.

We ran into a sea snake in the surf. We also saw a sea eagle overhead, hovering and readying itself for a dive. The dawn was too cloudy for Gemma’s photographer’s eye. She was hoping for more spectacular light. The clouds made for a beautiful scene looking out to sea.

But the true highlight of the morning was walking in to the Colored Sands with Gemma. When we went up last year it was as tourists. When we walked up this year, Gemma gave us her permission and blessing to touch the sand. We saw a heart shape and some initials left on the sand wall, and Gemma directed us to wipe them away and then repair them by filling in with loose sand. Then we used pine branches to wipe away all trace of our footprints. Our hope was to discourage tourists from following the example and collecting or defacing the sands. Gemma sat with us and told us the Butchulla story of how the Colored Sands came to be. She also talked to us about the aboriginal views of the stages of a woman’s life, and how the Colored Sands are sacred and healing to women. I could tell from the faces around me that this moment would shine like a facet of precious stone in the memories of the women around me. I am deeply, deeply grateful to Gemma for sharing this time with us.

After we got back from our walk we had breakfast, and then Gemma and Roger began sketching out some plans for the mural we are here to create. We decided that the first panel will depict the Butchulla creation story of K’Gari. The middle panel will depict the story of Linda, Roger and Rachel first coming to the island, meeting Joe and Chris, and spending the magical day together that convinced them all to move forward with plans for this Study Abroad program. The final panel will display symbols representing all of this years’ participants.

Later that afternoon we cracked open the paint and Roger sketched out an outline of the island on one panel, and the rainbow serpent flowing across all three panels. Then Gemma posed as model for K’Gari, the woman spirit that became the island. While Roger worked, the rest of us sketched out our ideas for what we would paint to represent ourselves. Nicole and Eliza actually went down to the beach and sketched out their ideas in the sand on a large scale, then came back and redrew their ideas on paper. One by one, the students began to transfer their ideas onto the panels and the vision began to take shape. I can’t wait to see the final result, and I am looking forward to the process.

I found it magical to watch the students react to the ferry ride and their first close sight of K'Gari. We were blessed by the most beautiful rainbow as we left. The end of it appeared to rest just out of reach in the water off the bough of the boat. Many students were absorbed looking for dolphins and other sea animals.

The biggest joy to me is that Joe Gala is coming over to K'Gari with us. He was meant to last year but didn't make it. This year we will have both Joe and Chris, our wonderful guide from last year. I've been savoring the anticipation of the unknown special moments to come.

Once at K'Gari, we proceeded to Central Station where Joe gave us a brief orientation to the island. We walked the rainforest area around the station and drank in the scents and sounds as well as the beauty. Teri made the comment "This is pure energy." And she's right. It is the most pure and pristine manifestation of life I have ever seen. This year I went down to Wangoolba Creek and drank from it along with several of the students. No purer water is bottled anywhere.

We left Central Station and stopped by the Ranger Station for permits. Next we drove to Eurong and had lunch at the same little bakery as last year. They were out of curry pies, so I had a beef and potato pie. For dessert, I ate a Magnum ice cream bar, thinking of absent friends (Hi, Rachel! Hi, Andrew!). Then it was out to zooming down the beach. It's not peak whale season, but we still sited a few whales breaking the surface. One of the 4X4s began to overheat, so we stopped briefly at Eli Creek. Many students went wading, and John went in swimming. Mamie, who is one of the most exuberant and joyful people I have ever met, actually got down and made an angel in the sand. The last stop before camp was the wreck of the Maheno. The tide was well out, so we could actually walk around the inside of the rusting ship.

Gail and Charles thought of absolutely everything. They pre-purchased a plate and utensil kit for each of us, along with a tea towel and a cloth bag to keep everything inside. Each student will be responsible for cleaning up their own plates and utensils, and the remaining cleanup will rotate among everyone. Gail and Charles also brought a large camp barbecue and a smaller portable one. They even arranged for a propane-run fridge to be delivered to us. So we've been able to bring over a lot more food.

Settling in was easy and pleasant. We had a lovely stew for our evening meal, and we met Gemma, an aboriginal woman and artist who will be working with us to create the mural. Mamie and I actually stayed up late talking to her around the campfire sharing life experiences and stories. I am blown away by Gemma's depth of passion for her people and her overwhelming vitality. She has invited the women to walk to the Colored Sands with her at dawn. She wants to photograph them in the morning light, and also to go in and repair any marks left by tourists which deface this sacred place. I went to bed around 11 p.m. knowing I had made a new friend.

I went up to the woodworking area and had a look at some of John’s projects. He was making some art pieces and also a traditional percussion instrument that the Islanders use. He usually works in the soap shed. He makes visual poems similar to the ones I used to do, and I’m feeling inspired to make some more. We ended up having a great conversation about spirituality while walking around Scrub Hill. We went up to the lily pond and I took a few photos.

Linda, Gail, Charles and Roger had a lot of business to attend to to get us ready to go to Fraser Island. They picked up our two rented 4X4s and went shopping for the food and other supplies we need to bring over in order to spend five days on the island. They also purchased paint because we will be creating a mural in collaboration with members of the Butchulla tribe.

Everyone else spent the day exploring Scrub Hill in their own way. I managed to give my husband a quick phone call. I bought a few soapies in the gift shop. All of us repacked a smaller bag with just what we will need for five days on Fraser Island.

It’s hard to describe my feelings about returning there. Although I truly love my home, I think the island, known as K’Gari to the Butchulla tribe, is one of the most beautiful places on earth. I know that when I arrive I will not want to leave. It is peaceful and healing to spend time there. I cannot wait to get there, and I cannot wait to watch our students experience this place of stunning wonder.

We told all the students to ask that their luggage be checked through to Auckland. Roger went through first and promptly forgot! He had to go back and ask the airline staff to pull his bags and retag them so he wouldn’t need to re-check them in Los Angeles. There was a long delay while they tried to do this, and I don’t think we ever found out for sure whether they had retagged the correct bags. We got to the gate just a few minutes before boarding began.

One of the students gave us a scare. Mamie had checked her luggage early on, and then we could not find her going through to the gate. Nicole’s mom thoughtfully stayed back to watch for her and tell her we had all gone to the gate. We were worried maybe she had gone to the gate on her own, and then one of us would be waiting behind in vain. Mamie was not at the gate, and we paged her twice but she never answered. Finally we simply had to board the airplane and hope she got on. At the last possible moment she came running on to the plane. She had been having lunch in an airport restaurant and did not hear the pages.

In Los Angeles, the Air New Zealand employees were extraordinarily helpful. One of them noticed straight off that our luggage was checked through to Auckland, but that it could have been checked through all the way to Brisbane. They said we would not have had enough time to pick up our luggage and recheck it, that we would either have missed or delayed our flight. So they managed to have our luggage retagged through to Brisbane, which saved us a great deal of difficulty. The only other problem was me. Their computer kept telling them my Australian visa was invalid and that I could not board the flight. One of them phoned Australia on my behalf and got the issue straightened out. I was so grateful.

The long flight was cramped. The in-flight movie was “Be Cool,” with John Travolta and Uma Thurman. I had never seen it before, but enjoyed it. As always, the food was very good, especially compared to U.S. airliners fare. My feet have never swelled before, but on this flight they ballooned. It was a relief to deplane in Auckland, though we needed to get right back on the next plane to Brisbane.

Our flight to Brisbane was three hours long and uneventful. The plane was not full so I got to go to the back and put my feet up for awhile. Linda and my mom were seated together behind me, a dangerous combination. They were slap-happy, and I still don’t know which of them decided to bop me on the head. They had a good time.

Most of us changed our U.S. dollars to Australian at the Brisbane airport. I had my first ginger beer, which was wonderful. Roger got some licorice and shared it with the rest of us. Our coach picked us up around 11:30 a.m. and we began the long drive to Hervey Bay, minus Roger’s and Linda’s checked luggage, which never arrived. Later we learned Linda’s luggage stayed in Auckland and Roger’s had gone to Los Angeles - but both were delivered to us at Scrub Hill before we left for Fraser Island.

Aside from those few hitches mentioned we had a pleasant travel experience. Mamie sat near the front of our coach and plied our driver Paul with questions. We stopped at Aussie World for lunch, and were at Scrub Hill by 4:00 p.m. on June 5. Auntie Mally and Auntie Rossie were waiting for us, and hung around while we unpacked. Gail and her husband Charles turned up right after we arrived as well. All of us got settled quickly in our cabins. I made a run into Hervey Bay with Charles and we picked up pizzas and cokes for our evening meal. We were all so tired we went to bed early. It was good to reunite with friends we made last year. Once again, after around twenty-two hours of travel, arriving at Scrub Hill felt like arriving home.

While I am thrilled to embark on another month-long journey with my Mom, there was one instance today where she reminded me that no matter how good of friends we become, she is still my Mom and can still embarass me. In fact, the two concepts are closely related when these mother / friend relationship lines blur.

Allow me to elaborate. Mom and I like cats. I had to buy new underpants for the trip, and I chose a pair or two emblazoned with the likeness of Sanrio’s adorable Hello Kitty. The friend part of me decided I simply must show my friend Donna the cute underpants I was wearing, which I did when I picked her up today.

On our way to Phoenix we stopped by my Aunt Nikki’s house to hand over some items for safekeeping. Lo and behold, my mom insists that I drop my drawers and show Nik my Hello Kitty underpants. Hilarity, and a little embarassment, ensued.

It’s great that I can get over my embarassment by telling the entire world that I’m wearing Hello Kitty underpants. I hope this “be who you really are” spirit stays with me for our entire trip.

And on that note, I’m going to sign off and do something really rare - shut down my computer and all related devices - printer, scanner, etc. I will post again as soon as I can, but it may be several days. Blessings to my loved ones, everywhere around the world. I’m thinking of you always.

I can't wait to get on the plane! Another month with both old and new friends from SCC and seeing the friends we made in both Australia and New Zealand last year (plus getting to be with my daughter for a whole month) is such a wonderful treat! I'm very excited!

I'm going to go take a short nap, while I have the time, and dream of all the folks we are about to see, the beautiful places we will visit and all we hope to learn from the experiencce! See you next time!

To that end, this is a test post. I offer you a song my mom knows and loves, Ragtime Cowboy Joe. Last year my mom and Rachel would sing it, trying to remember the words. So this year I found it, put it on my iPod, and maybe we can teach it to everyone around the campfire one night. Meanwhile, it makes a great test, and gives my friends and family a little something to enjoy.

I’ve got major packing adrenaline. It’s like there is a tiny hamster going 90 miles an hour in his little wheel up inside my brain. Lots of effort, but going nowhere.

Last year I took minimal luggage. But I had to buy more things once I got there, because I was too cold, and we did not have the opportunity to make trips to the laundromat every three days. Maybe that experience is now leading me to overpack, but I really don’t want to be under-prepared, and I have a lot of gifts to take this time.

I visited eBags.com and found a great companion bag for the one I’m taking, but even with 2-day shipping, it won’t arrive until June 3rd.

I leave June 3rd!

I don’t have to be to the airport until 5 p.m. UPS usually delivers in the morning, I think. Maybe that is wishful thinking. Anyway, I took a chance and ordered a second bag. Plan B is to cram stuff into the cheap Army duffel I took last time. But I pray I don’t have to do that, because there is no way I can lug that duffel around with the huge backpack I’m carrying.

My kingdom for a bag on wheels!

Jen Sydow of the International Education office started us off with a great ice-breaker and a visualization to help us all stay in the present for our orientation session. Then she all participants write a letter to themselves about their hopes, fears and goals for our journey. We sealed the letters in an envelope and we will give them back to the participants at an appropriate time on the trip, so they can see how their initial expectations compare to their actual experience. I thought that was a great idea.

Next we roll-played a powhiri, a formal welcoming ceremony performed when entering marae in New Zealand. The students had to approach our orientation room as if it were a marae, men first to protect the women. They entered and formally greeted those of us inside - including the hongi or pressing of noses. We gave the students this opportunity to practice telling the Maori who they are, where they come from, and why they have come to the marae. Although we were not in a real marae, the tone of the meeting changed completely as the students began to express who they truly are, often in their native language. Our orientation became a true exchange of self, and we were lifted into a higher place, where we remained for the rest of our meeting.

During lunch, Nizhoni brought out some Navajo jewelry made by her mother, and several of us bought pieces to take as gifts.

After lunch, Linda handed out Intercultural Workbooks, which all the students need to complete during the trip. I gave my assignment, a personalized art project each student must complete during our journey. Finally, Roger had assigned everyone to learn one thing about art in their culture, so the students gave five minute presentations about what they had learned. Some brought items to share, and we all learned many new things about each other as a result of this process.

I think I can say that a great time was had by all! One of the students, Teri, will be joining my mom and me as an author of this weblog. I’m very excited about this, Teri’s posts will bring her own unique perspective to this site while allowing her family to follow along on her journey.

I may not have time to post again before we leave. Next stop: the Korrawinga Community at Scrub Hill, near Hervey Bay, New South Wales, Australia!

I am excited and stressed all at once. My trip is paid for, but I have many more responsibilities. From this point on I intend to blog my preparations, including my small obsessions with finding the perfect bag, travel clothes and shoes, and also my procrastinations. And then there’s my large obsession, which was getting my mother to go with me again. But she’s been convinced, and her money’s paid, so there’s no drama there anymore. She will be an author here once again, so our loved ones can follow along on our second journey to the lovely land down under. I’ll be posting our itinerary again once it’s known.

New this year, I plan to offer the students a chance to post their own journal entries. If they are interested, you will see many more authors spring up, the about page will grow, and as a group I am guessing we will knock your socks off.

For now, I’ve got to go find my passport, which I apparantly never put away after returning last year, and prepare information on packing to give to the students at our first orientation meeting, coming up on Friday, April 29, 2005.

When we arrived at the visitors' center, the gentlemen there came out to greet us and said, "You are the people I saw in the newspaper!" Wow! What a surprise!

We toured the visitors' center and decided to hike up a trail that would take us to where the snow begins, hoping all the while that the clouds would clear and they did!! Unbelieveable! We didn’t make it to the beginning of the snow but did hike up far enough to get some fantastic pictures. It was very cold, but somehow that didn't matter! We were on the mountain!

Our trip back down was on a second trail that led us off into a most beautiful rain forest and then back to the visitor's center.

We had lunch at Okurukuru, a fantastic restaurant, on an outside patio overlooking the ocean and surrounded by vineyards. This is a relatively new restaurant and they make wine from the grapes they grow. I believe they also told us they grow much of their vegetables and spices - it was another delightful, leisurely meal and lots of fun!

That evening, we were invited to Les and Teresa's home (Les is an official at WITT University) for a barbeque! Les cooked dinner, except for all that cooking his wife had done earlier, and we feasted again, complete with desserts and coffee afterward.

When it got too chilly outside, we adjourned to the living room and told stories, laughed our heads off at Teresa's stories and had another wonderful visit!