It’s been the desert festival here in Alice Springs and last Sunday night we got to go to the coolest concert by the Black Arm Band. It was absolutely sensational and I would like to join with Keith in saying to everyone that if you ever get the opportunity to see them you must. The nigght was made even richer by the fact that it was a night in which indigenous and non indigenous people came together and danced and partied. So much of life in Alice Springs happens seperately so it is special when the whole community comes together. Keith and the choir also sung that night. They were great too. I was very sad that I was not able to join the choir in the end as I now work on Thursday nights.

On Friday night, some people and I gathered in down town Alice Springs for a little non violent protest against some particularly racist proposed by laws. My mum has written a bit more about this so read hers for more details. I had a lot of fun even though I got next to no sleep with the lights, the noise and the fact that somehow Martin and I ended up sharing a single swag because two kids moved into the other one. I confess I was a little nervous before hand, I thought perhaps that the local street community, predominantly indigenous, would be at the very least indifferent to us but they were not at all. They were so welcoming. I don’t know why I would have thought that seeing as almost all my experience with homeless people and indigenous people proves contribute, if even ever so slightly to break down some of those.

Yesterday, Martin had his soccer grand final. I went along with some other wives of the players to watch and although they did not win I had a good time. Martin’s soccer team is predominantly African and thus the cheer squad is top quality. I have no idea what they are saying but they sing out loudly and sound great. Afterwards we all went to the pub across the road. It was not a bit pub and so we and the dozen Africans filled out the place easily. It was quite a hoot.

And finally, in most exciting news Martin and I have finally moved into our house. I am so happy. I have stuck up all my pictures and got out all my books and albums and I feel so much more like me. I also have a proper cupboard to hang my clothes in and a kitchen in which I have space to chop things up and I don’t have to cook on a gas stove. I wake up every morning and look out over the ranges and I feel so very blessed. Going without things for a little while helps us to appreciate them so much more. I hope that feeling lasts a long time.