Australia, land of the unthinkable, is now a permanent thought in my mind.

Since arriving in Australia, I have been blown away with the various native herbs, plants, spices, and animals. However, it is only within the last couple days that I have truly gotten a taste of the real "outback." Yeah, in Sydney there was kangaroo and buffalo, barramundi and crocodile; but where was the kudjera, desert lime, lemon myrtle, or muntries; or how about deep fried saltbush leaves, river mint pea puree, smoked emu, wattle see linguini, or wild rosella flowers stuffed with lilli pilli sorbet?

I know, to most people without the privileged opportunities I've had, such items would sound as if they came from a cookbook published during the dreamtime. However, since my arrival to Alice Springs and generous training by Athol Wark and crew, I have come to be quite familiar with such wild foods and native ingredients.

Traveling from big city Sydney to the quaint town of Orange, across the winding mountains and synchronized vineyards of Hunter Valley, I have found myself surrounded by colossal rock ranges, crimson sand and untainted air, feral animals, aboriginal arts, and wild foods. I initially thought Sydney would be the love of my adventures in Australia. Yet the intimacy felt here in "Alice," yielding her gifts of nature, has come to be much more dear to my heart.

I think the best way to put it is through the simple words of me: Adriel lost in Alice's wonderland. Alice Springs is a world of its own where one can see, hear, feel, smell, and pleasingly taste nature. Since being here, I have listened to the kangaroos patter by, felt the untainted, dry and still air; smelt the campfires burning for warmth; seen 360-degree views of never-ending ranges and colored land. Most interestingly, I have tasted the power and variety of so many different wild herbs, spices, products and proteins. Never in my life have I been introduced to such exotic flavors, food combinations or such a unique style of cuisine as the one I have found here in the Northern Territory.

In the midst of my education at the Alice Springs Convention Center, I managed to stray off the beaten path and on to a backpacking expedition to, well I guess the easiest way to put it is to a bunch of rocks. Big rocks. Me and about 23 other mates ranging in age from 19 up to 60 bounced along the rocky red dirt for several hours until we reached our destination.

Kings Canyon was the first stop and what I sight to see! Referred to as the lost city, Kings Canyon was once an underwater world that, over time, surfaced and created the most magnificent rock formations spanning for miles from north to south and east to west. About an hour up and hour down with our tour guide we actually broke a sweat in the cool weather and learned about all kinds of a animals, plants, ancient nature remedies, and disturbing punishment practices of the Aboriginals. Next stop was the campground where we enjoyed a dinner of traditional Aussie barbeque, snags and all. A bit of coffee and international bonding around the camp fire, then we were off to bed, freezing our toes into ice cubes as we lay in our swags gazing at the star-lit sky. Come 4:30am it was rise and shine, off to Uluru. From our campground, it was about 30 minutes to the Rock. We had a good view of it from the bus and, to tell you the truth, nothing about it excited me.

We arrived just at sunrise, and me and 4 Irish girls challenged ourselves to a climb to the top. A bit of warning to those who may attempt this "quick" climb. The view from land is only about a ¼ of the real height you commit to. After a half hour of climbing, my breadth was short, my legs burning, my throat soar, and my limbs were frozen. I figured I had reached the top, but looking onward I realized I was only about half way. A steadying stop for a picture of the peaking sun and its cascading colors gave me the drive to continue for an even better shot at the top. And we did just that. Two hours and forty-five minutes later we had conquered the Rock. When we got back to the bus we were more than ready to sleep for the six-hour ride back home.

I enjoyed Sydney for its sights, ranging culture and historical offerings. Upon my return to America, what I will take from Alice Springs are memories of genuine friends, an indescribable bond with the outdoors, Chef Athol as a new found mentor, and the desire to share with everyone the indigenous, mystifying, and very edible wild foods of Alice Springs and the Northern Territory. -- Adriel Martinetti