First Few Days

After a 26 hour journey from Melbourne to Nebraska, the 9800 GSE team finally arrived safely, minus some greatly needed sleep. Bronwyn, Anne and Matt managed to get some shut eye during the long haul flight, but the two fidgeters, Mick and Lena, didn't gain any sleep. Mick is still going and it would seem only requires 4 hours sleep per night, but Lena crashed out at the airport!

We were greeted at the airport by Ken and Joe and driven to the Hurt's where we were collected by our hosts. The NE hospitality is wonderful and we have been made to feel at home straight away. Sunday morning, most team members went to church and then came back over to the Hurt's for a team meeting and revision of our presentations. Dinner was hosted by Nancy and Jim Caldwell at their lakeside cabin. It was a 'pot luck' dinner where everyone brings something to eat and it's pot luck as to what's going to be for dinner! Sloppy Joes or Sloppy Joeys (if it was kangaroo meat) was on the menu.

Monday (today), Matt, Mick, Lena and their respective host families went for a work out at the Base Field Hut. Mick went swimming whilst Lena and Matt taught Ken how to play netball. The lessons were reciprocated with a game of racquet ball!!! Bob and Betty were doing what seemed like a thousand laps around the track!

We did our first presentation at Bellevue Rotary Club to a group of very welcoming Rotarians. We managed to finish within the time limit with 30 seconds to spare! After a quick lunch, Ken Hurt, who is a stickler for time, took us to meet the Bellevue Mayor, Mr Ed Babbit, took us to meet the Chief of Police, a Fire Investigator and his arson detective dog Conan and the Sherriff in charge of the Sarpy County Jail. We were taken on a tour of the jail and came into contact with prisoners which was quite confronting.

So far this has been an amazing experience and we're sure the journey will continue to be positive and life shaping.

Till next time. Hooroo.