The holiday is over

As we start to get into a normal daily life routine the official 'holiday' (adjustment period) is over now.

I have started working with the Kimberley Land Council being a project officer for Minyirr Park in Broome. My tasks vary from community liaison functions to administrative tasks, bookings, coordinating projects such as things that need to build in the park, to grant fundings and budgets. As I am trying to get my head around all of this and learn what to do, there is so much to learn about the social policies here but even more about culture. I think we Dutch believe that many white men live in Australia today, and that there are a few Aboriginals left and then there are the new migrants too. Well. In Broome and the Kimberley about 30% of the population is Indigenous. And they stem from different groups depending on where they live(d). I can't even start explaining what this means for the community, the people and for relationships, it is complicated. But interesting as well and I am learning. As soon as I think I understand it I will get back to this.
Meanwhile I learn and mostly enjoy Minyirr Park and the people involved very much. Minyirr Park is a significant sacred site being part of the Six Seasons Song lines. If you are interested: google.

Joy is enjoying daycare and making friends. She is confident trying to speak English and tries when she can. Meanwhile her Dutch vocabulary is extending as well, so communication is becoming more and more interesting.

We have found a rythm, which is more or less as follows: Monday, Tuesday and Thursday we go to work and daycare. Those days we enjoy breakfast/playtime, go - come home and have dinner, a play and then Joy is of to bed. She sleeps at 18h till 6-7 h in the morning. I usually read, receive the odd phonecall (some from Holland :)) and started to do yoga again.
The days we are free are numerous. Wednesday and a long weekend. We shop once a week and have lots of play time in and around the house. Almost every day off we will be at one of the beaches to enjoy some playtime at the playgrounds there, a swim if we feel like it and a stroll along the beach. Also every day off we see somebody of our little cirle of friends now. Either Phoebe and Dena (2,5 y) or Kerry (my old time friend), or Robin (3,5) and his family or others. Although we are invited by others I notice that it is enough for the moment; there is no room in my system or time to fit anymore people in. I suppose all the new impressions in our new life take up some space.

What I have to learn is to live in a small town. Though everybody likes to talk about everything it turns into gossip soon and in a small town you are very accountable. Not always easy if you are open and honest and find talking about things, good or challenging, a way to deal with life and to relate.

Our housing situation is still not ideal. Although we care take a big nice house, it is not a home. The place I would love to rent long term is promised to somebody else, but we might trade places and then we could move in by the end of the month. I keep my fingers crossed as I get a bit restless sometimes now not being able to settle down.

Mostly I am very happy being and living in Broome. It feels like home as it always did and it is so good to finally be able to stop longing for it and doubting if it will ever happen - as I did over the past 11 years. It is happening and it is great.

Till soon, love
Astrid / Fae & Joy