I’ve arrived in Broome to do a four-week locum at the Aboriginal Medical Service here. I arrived a few days ago and have found it a little challenging to adapt to the different climate and to the relative isolation. It has been hot and steamy with frequent thunderstorms. The high humidity is typical of the wet season and it’s a bit like being in a sauna.
I haven’t started work yet although I had orientation on Friday, which was a bit overwhelming with a complicated computer system and what looks like a busy clinic. I’ve been reading up on common conditions that I will encounter – ear and eye infections, skins infections, rheumatic heart disease and renal problems. Most of these are less common in Victoria and the treatment is often different. I discovered I knew one of the locums who is finishing up; we went to school together. So we have caught up a couple of times before she left and she filled me in on what I needed to brush up on. It’s an odd synchronicity to meet up with her again.
I’ve spent the last two days exploring Broome, between rain showers and thunderstorms. Cable beach is lovely but you can’t swim there in the wet with stingers and Irukandji lurking. There was a crocodile sighted at the Town beach last week so I’m a bit wary of even walking on some of the beaches! I’ve walked around town and it’s pretty quiet, not tourist season at the moment.
I find it is a bit weird to be up here alone and not know anyone. My usual network of friends and family are far away and although I can ring or text it’s not the same as face to face contact. I find myself reflecting on how much support I usually have and how when it’s not right there I start to feel a bit anxious. But then I remember why I have come – to have a bit of adventure and get out of my comfort zone, to experience a different culture and to hopefully make a small difference. I begin to trust again that I am looked after by the universe and that my inner self will take care of things that my logical brain cannot. And I relax into the experience. I begin to trust the process of my life again.
I haven’t done any book writing for a couple of weeks but hope to do some for next week’s blog post.
My new book Tools for Transformation will be launched on March 30th. It’s a bit later than planned due to various changes I had to make during the publishing process. It will be available as a free eBook to people who subscribe to my email list or paperback copies can be purchased via my website or via online booksellers.
