by Ana Feord.

I was blessed to be given the window seat on both the flight to and from Mparntwe. I felt unwell on the flight over, but soon a quietness descended upon me and I travelled mesmerised by the landscapes below me. These are scenes that I have no blue-print for in my psyche, having grown up in Europe and not travelled much in Australia. It was my first time to the desert.

I allowed myself to not make sense of what I was seeing, rather to let it just be seen. This is how I was challenged the whole trip.

Realising I was very unwell upon arrival, I soon received antibiotics for pneumonia from the hospital, which healed me swiftly. I was then able to take in the beauty of the desert landscape surrounding me.

I made a temporary home for myself in the ‘poustinia’ caravan and was given space to rest. By day three I was able to walk a little into the sunrise of the MacDonnell Ranges behind Campfire. I started on light duties, sorting books and cleaning the cabins.

I involved myself in the wonderful Campfire Reflection evenings, meditations and walking the labyrinth. I even braved the freezing July temperatures by having a dip in the pool (once the pneumonia had cleared). I enjoyed a quiet, but rich, routine of slow listening to start the day, followed by my hours of volunteering, mostly cleaning the Airbnb cabins. Then walking, reading and sharing with others on-site.

I was able to get out for a couple of drives into the East MacDonnell Ranges and was absolutely blown away by the beauty and power of the land. There are very few words to describe my experience and I returned back to the Hawkesbury River feeling a deep sense of a time shift within me. The desert reflected a different and new sense of being.

Each day at Campfire was infused with the kindness of its community. I very quickly felt a part of something that was, as its name suggests, full of heart.

I look forward to being back there and will always be grateful that my initiation into the desert environment was held by the Campfire community and land.

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