Day One.

 Jenni and I have arrived at Warruwi and are about to embark on our 10 weeks of teaching.

We arrived stupidly early at the tiny hanger to get our tiny plane to Warruwi. We thought that we were going to Darwin airport and like the regional flights from Sydney would have to check in and go through the usual maze. That  was our first mistake. Instead we were dropped off in front of wire gate that was very locked. Apparently this was where we to board our flight. So we waited for an hour in front of the gate sitting in the gutter looking very bogan. So bogan in fact that a taxi driver on his way back from the actual Darwin airport pulled over and asked if we were ok. Unfortunately we had to answer 'yes'.

Meanwhile we were also concerned cause our baggage was ridiculously over the 15kg limit. We were told to bring just about everything including food. Did you realise how heavy spaghetti weighs? Like if you buy 500g packet, that's half a kilo! And then if you buy 500g of spiral pasta, well then there goes an entire 1kg. Only 14 more to go, oh and by the way you'll also need 9 weeks worth of sunscreen, shampoo, conditioner, moisturiser, face wash and definitely two bars of soap! Well just in basic toiletries there's another 3kg. Then don't get me started on clothes...

So when the hangar finally decided to open, about 45mins before take-off, our baggage was weighed. Um, so we were at least 20kg each. Plus our carry on bags, plus each of weighing an extra 10kg on the scales with our backpacks on. Yes that's right we were weighed like baggage. Opps! Well the staff didn't seen so concerned so then neither were we. Until that is I saw the plane.

It was tiny! I think its seated about 10 people. And we couldn't stand up inside. And as we were pulling down the runaway one of the passengers heard something funny. Yelled that up to the pilot and the pilot asked what kind of sound it was...

Did you know though, that cloud causes serious turbulence when your in a little plane? Like I saw happy, fluffy clouds and I thought, what a pretty little cloud. But no! It shook our little plane. I got sweaty palms.

The view however was magnificent. The rainbow serpent had carved beautiful, curvaceous rivers into the landscape. Bends nearly collided with each other and for once I understood what a billabong actually was.

At last having seen Goulburn South Island, I was amazed at the west facing gold cliffs that shimmered in the bright sunlight. The airstrip- I refuse to call it an airport- was actually a tarmac. Which was definite improvement, I was expecting dirt. The accompanying terminal though was actually a bus stop colourfully painted with 'welcome to Warruwi community.'

In this bus shelter the police searched our bags for alcohol and drugs, which of course we had none. The principal, Jenni and I were met by a teacher who picked us up in the school's 4WD. That's right, the school has a 4WD.

We are now staying in the pre-school room. Actually its a lovely little bedroom for us. We have some dollies, a play kitchen (and a real one!) and are surrounded by beautiful paintings the students have painted. We even have a smartboard!

After settling in we went on a community walk with some other teachers and got a good look around town. There's a police station, a medical centre, a beach (complete with crocodiles though I haven't seen any yet!), a shop and an arts centre. We walked through the bush along the road and came across some brumbies. There are numerous horses on the island and we have been warned not to let the herd be separated. We have also been warned about dogs in the community.

Tomorrow we shall begin the school day by assisting a teacher ring the school bell to remind kids to hurry up and get to class. Who knows what challenges tomorrow will bring!?