A Town Called Alice

Alice Springs is a very interesting town.  It’s hard to make out what people do here exactly.  It’s so far away from anything most people have to work in the city but there doesn’t seem to be any big plants or things along that line.  As far as I can tell a good percentage of the population work with the Aborigine people.  In talking to a fellow in the district (LDS District) presidency, he told us that Alice Springs is a place people come to get away, to hide so to speak.  I can’t imagine why anyone would actually choose to come here unless that was the case, simply because it’s soooooo far away from any other civilization.  On top of that, it’s HOT. 

 

 

This picture is a natural area in town.  This is what the whole area would look like if it wasn’t for the pavement and the watering that takes place.

Speaking of water, the Northern Territory could adopt the slogan – Northern Territiory, the land with no cold water.  By this I mean, you can run the water tap for 5 minutes and it doesn’t get any colder than when you first turned it on.  It’s comes out about 2 steps warmer than luke warm.  While this is nice when you’re washing your hands or face, brushing your teeth isn’t quite so fun.  Also, when you come in and your hot and you want a glass of water, well forget that unless you have ice (which no one seems to have!)   I’ve come to really appreciate cold water. 

It’s so hot here covers are provided in the parking lots.  This is  really nice. They also have these types of things in all the parks, school playgrounds and other outdoor places people frequent.  I think this is part of the Australian culture because we noticed these in Armidale and isn’t nearly as hot there.  

Another thing we haven’t been able to figure out  - is the church in a bad part of town or is it just a rough town in general? This sign is in front of the church.  The neighborhood where the church is located doesn’t seem to be rough, there are nice homes, a school across the street with a park where they play sports (not sure which ones).  Pres. Ford (Branch President) was telling us that the windows in the back of the church get replaced regularly.  These fellows came while we were there and said they’re here about once a month. 

While at church we noticed the clerks office door was broken and the door knob was missing.  Pres. Ford said that it and his office gets broken into often.  In fact, the District President came to the branch a couple of Sundays ago and seeing the clerk’s office and knowing how frequently the windows are replaced finally consented to getting a fence around the building so something good will come out of all of this.

When we came to church last week the members were all talking about the temple trip they had just returned from the night before.  They had traveled 15 hours (one way) to the temple in Adelaide.  Many of the members weren’t able to go because they simply couldn’t afford the travel expenses.  They’ve already announced a temple trip for 2013 and urged people to start now to save so no one will get left behind.  As they talked about this it really made me think about how often I’ve taken having the temples so close to me for granted.  I don’t think I’ll be able to go to the temple again without thinking of the sacrifices these amazing members make to attend. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here’s just a couple of examples of the food prices (I know I mention this a lot – it’s because I continue to be amazed!).

A kilogram is equal to 2.20 lbs.  making these bananas $1.80 a pound!

This case of 24, Coke and Fanta pop was on sale for $25, regularly $36.  A liter bottle of pop sells for about $3.50.

The highlight of our day today was feeding the rock wallabies, they’re a cousin to kangaroos but are much much smaller.  I’d guess when they’re full grown they’re about 2 ft. tall if they stood up on their hind legs and weigh about 10 –15 lbs.

  I caught this wallaby in the middle of a bite, he really isn’t hissing or anything along that line.  Notice how strange their feet are.  Their hands are tiny with even smaller claws.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The wallabies here at the caravan park are really friendly and will eat out of your hand; some will even let you pet them.   From the little we know about them they would make a really fun pet!!  Do you think we could get one past TSA screening?