Day Seven

Busy day today! It was the first orientation and induction day in Alice Springs, and I was in lectures from 8.30 to 4.30 - a bit of a shock to the system! Working in this heat is very strange, not helped by the air conditioner in the room being set so low I had to ask for it to be turned down... oh, how they laughed at the uber-sensitive little english girl!

This morning was all about Aboriginal culture and history and it was so interesting. Suffice to say that nuclear families are out, and a grandparent led upbringing is in. Also (and this made me laugh), after a male marries he is not allowed any interaction with his inlaws at all - it is seen as a social taboo!!!

The Flying Doctor organise their placments here through a group called NTGPE (essentially general practice in the Northern Territory) which I think expains the disorganisation so far! I am going to a small Aboriginal community on Thursday for a couple of days then Alice for the weekend, and back to Santa Theresa for next week.... essentially there are a number of clinics happening in the community and I'm going to assit there - mix of emergency stuff, routine stuff and some paediatric work :) Am terrified, but also excited!! After that who knows?! But they have told me that I will be staying in Alice every weekend, and likely to be away during the week.

Otherwise not much to report - I'll be in touch again soon,

lots of love, A xxxxxxxxxxxx