The Dreaming Place

This morning our P2P delegation visited Manyallaluk, an aboriginal culture center of the Jawoyn people. Students were welcomed with hot cups of tea prepared Australian bush style – boiled over a campfire. We also met Timmy, a cute baby wallaby who is being raised by Paula, a foster mom who rescues these infant marsupials when their mothers are hit by cars. Then our aboriginal guides took us on a bush tucker walk and told us about dreamtime, which is how the indigenous people of Australia refer to their ancient past. To help our cooks prepare for lunch, students had the opportunity to skin kangaroo tails. Thanks, Janelle for those butchering tips! Then our expert guides instructed everyone in the art of spear throwing. Only boys were allowed to play the didgeridoo, which is considered “men’s business.” Sorry, girls! Alex was a natural! Everyone attempted basket weaving – notice the word attempted. You need a lot of patience for this, but the baskets and mats are beautiful and worth the labor. Lunch was served and you guessed it, kangaroo tail was on the menu. According to the group – not bad! In the afternoon delegates used their creative talents to paint in the aboriginal style using traditional materials and techniques. Before the British arrived in 1788, aboriginal people had no written language, so art was used for communication and to pass on stories from one generation to the next. Ben said this was the best student art work he has seen in his three years of leading People to People delegations. I told you these students were the best!! Students had a relaxing afternoon and evening at the hotel swimming, playing tennis, journaling, catching up with friends on Facebook , doing laundry, and just “hanging out.” In the evening Smiley taught some students how to do a “Tim Tam Slam.” Tim Tams are Australian biscuits (cookies). You bite the ends off and use the Tim Tam as a straw to suck up hot chocolate or coffee. Sweet!!!