No worries.

I have to say I am continually amazed at the amount of things to do in such a small town and now that it is cooling off there will be even more going on each week.  One of the highlights of the last few weeks was the American Idol show; they were brought in for a free concert.  There were 7 performers, all contestants from the 2009 and 2010 seasons.  It was an outdoor concert with tables and chairs set up and a giant dance floor.  The warm up song for the crowd was the Electric Slide and while many people rushed to the dance floor, so did the American Idol contestants – dancing right alongside the crowd. There were probably about 200 people in the audience, something else that takes getting used to.  I tried to get Jake to go dance with me but had no luck!  They performed on the grounds behind the RSL club; I think the boys were more excited about playing on the old tanks than they were about the concert.

There was a Sunday picnic at the DET that was a lot of fun.  They had Rex the snake man there putting on a show for the kids.  He showed the crowd 2 Thorny devils, a skink and a python.  I think I learned more than I ever wanted to know about snakes and reptiles. He is also the guy you call when you see a snake in your yard.  Our neighbor found a snake recently, she called us to come over so the boys and I could see it and then the snake guy was there in about 20 minutes to capture it and take it away.  The funny part is they just put it in a bag and throw it in the car with them and leave, I do not think I could drive knowing I had a snake in the car, particularly a poisonous one!

A Lizard on top of a termite mound

We took another visit back to Desert Park; it was much more enjoyable in the cooler weather.  It is such a beautiful place and I really enjoy all the trees and birds.  This time we went on trails I had not been on, one of them lead to an aviary that has black cockatoos – they were huge!  I tried to get a picture of the orange feathers under the wings but all you could see was blurred color.  I am still surprised at all the birds I see, how incredible it is to be looking out my window in the morning and see a green parrot on my patio or pink galas on my morning walks.

Yesterday I went to the horse races for Ladies Day, it is the Australian Cup and a huge deal here in Alice Springs.  The outfits were incredible!  I loved my custom fascinator with the ostrich feathers and jewels but next year I think I might need even more flash!  A group of us from school got a table together; all together there were about 30 tables.  There was a performance between races by two performers from the Phantom of the Opera, I got a private serenade from the gentleman performer while he was strolling through the audience and somehow no one at my table thought to get a picture.  Lunch was served by the Crown Plaza with 6 hours of bottomless champagne, beer and wine – I was honestly surprised that any of us were able to walk out of there.

My friend Angie and I

We have been here for just about 4 months and the thing that has surprised me the most is the kindness of the people here.  I am not sure if it is an Australian thing, a small town thing, or just an Alice thing.  An example of this happened a few weeks ago, we went to the hardware store to buy a leaf blower and we were told they were all out, the salesperson then told us to come back the next day and he would bring his in from home for us to borrow – the next day JD went back to the store and borrowed the leaf blower, no names and phone numbers exchanged.  I know everyone knows the Australian expression “No Worries”, but I am beginning to believe it is not just an expression; it is a way of life!