Last day in Alice :-(

Trip Start Dec 06, 2009

Trip End Apr 24, 2010

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Where I stayed

Alice Springs YHA

Flag of Australia Alice Springs, Northern Territory, Australia
Friday, January 15, 2010

After Kings Canyon, we all met at Toddy's backpackers for dinner. Ha! Another story. Really it was easy to get there just walk on one road until you get there, 15-20mn walk from downtown which is where my hostel was. Anyway I keep walking and thinking this is really far, maybe I missed it or something. So I ask a guy who tells me I passed it way back there, strange I thought, but walked back. Went by a squash court and the guy who worked there was closing it so I thought I better double check and ask again where to go. He told me its the other way, I was really confused as I got two different answers now! He said he was driving that way anyway and he could just give me a lift. I was a little hesitant as I never hitched a ride before but I said yes. He was really nice and dropped me off, and he was right! Actually I was just a block away but couldnt see it because of the building!

As my last day in Alice, I really wanted to visit the "school of air"

The kids timetable

. Its kind of like long distance learning. It is provided to comminuties in the outback were there is no school. Mostly non-aboriginals as they have their own system (apparently). The government pays for it, the families only pay $300 a year for it. The kids are provided with computers, webcams, mail their books and assignment back and forth and can hire a tutor (own expense). 4 times a year they come to Alice for a sport week. Its the only time where the kids can meet each other and for many of them play with other kids. Really good program.

After that, I decided to go for a walk and see what I can find for work in my field. Went to a few government agencies and some non-profit ones. Got some emails and some connections. I would really like to come back and work in Alice Springs. It would be really cool to wor in remote communities actually. However Alice has DASA which is non profit but really does the same services as VIHA (back in Canada). They have a detox, sobering centre, recovery houses, outreach team, groups, counselling,etc.... Another one is a catholic one but you dont need to be religious and that is a good one. Like in the norh in Canada, they have similar thing as to the isolation pay. So I got a lot of good info. I dont think its a problem to find a job here but the housing is. Not much of it, so that would be a little challenging if I come back, which I really want too.

Anyway, kept walking, listening to my ipod until someone tapped on my shoulder, a guy, nice guy :). Asked me about accomodation and told him to go the YHA. Later we went to see a movie called "its complicated", romantic comedy, really good! SO funny! Then went for a drink and back to the hostel where we chatted until 1am or something. Really sweet guy, great date and a great way to spend my last night in Alice.

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