My 15 minutes of fame

So as I climbed up the stairway to heaven to get out of my school campus, a bus passes me by, stops, then backs up. The driver then yells, "Hey! I recognize you!" I didn't think much of it since I figured it was one of the 100s of Nivans who recognize me but I don't remember them. He said "hey, you're a volunteer, right? Yeah, you're from Hawaii, your father is from India," blah blah... Apparently they broadcasted the pictures of all the volunteers on Efate as well as our backgrounds on local TV.

Welp there goes the last of what little anonymity I had left in this country lol

English < Bislama

The longer I speak Bislama exclusively, the harder it is to formulate sentences when speaking English. It's fine when I'm writing/typing, since I can spend 10 minutes trying to figure out how to say a single word, but the spontaneity of speech makes it really hard to think of the right thing to say and not sound like a dufus. It's like my brain keeps sputtering and overheating.

I so need a vacation.

Things I wish I knew before I got here

Just a list of things that I think would be good to know for incoming PC Volunteers based on my own observations, or stuff I wish I knew ahead of time. Mind you these are just *my* opinions, I'm generalizing of course, YMMV.  :)


Generally Speaking

• Vanuatu is still a young country, trying to figure itself out, reconciling their traditional "village" mentality with the realities of a rapidly moving and developing world. It's a s-l-o-w process, but the people and the government are very receptive to input and are (for the most part) willing to learn.
• Generally speaking people in Vanuatu are very friendly and welcoming. They don't call this place the "Happiest Place on Earth" for nothing (Disney be damned).  They will randomly wave their hands and greet you, people will just give you stuff (usually something to eat) randomly. However keep in mind that you are still a foreigner here, and as a "Waet Man" you will be stared at and bombarded with rather intrusive (by our standards) questions about your life, your marital status, family, religion, financial situation, etc. Come prepared with canned answers, and tell them you're poor. lol

Weather

• Weather in the Summer is HOT & HUMID! You will sweat buckets so don't bother bringing thick cotton clothing; stick to thin cotton or Polyester, or Cotton-Polyester blend. Anything else will stick to your skin and will take forever to dry after washing.
• BUT it also gets surprisingly COLD here some nights, and in the Winter it's downright freezing (believe me your body will acclimate to Vanuatu temps and low 70s will give you shivers). Bring at least one sweater or hoodie (or buy one in town), jeans or leggings. It also rains ALOT when it does rain, but you can get cheap umbrellas and such here when you get access to town.

Peace Corps Post

• Peace Corps is VERY well respected here, close to celebrity status.
• There are 2 main groups of vols here, English/IT Instructors (Vanuatu Information Technology and English Literacy project) and Community Health.
• Port Vila is where the Peace Corps Office is. It's a VERY small town (may seem overwhelming the first time you visit though), but has most of the modern conveniences: 24x7 power, hotels, bars, restaurants, etc. Mind you this town is built primarily for Aus/NZ tourists, so you'll see alot of signs and tour operators scattered about. When you tire of eating island food and want some alcohol this place is an oasis.
• The Peace Corps Resource Center, which is basically an office adjacent to the staff office, is where PCVs come to unwind when in town. It's where you can find books, computers, a kitchen, (slow but usable) Wifi, an overstuffed fridge, couches to chill on, and is also where the mailboxes are. You can store important documents like passports at the office. It's the hub of PCV activity, and if you sit there long enough you will see everyone.  You also hear the weirdest conversations ever. We *occasionally* work there too ;)
• Letters/packages from the States take about a month or so to reach here via standard rates. If you have care packages mailed to you, confirm Customs here won't confiscate them (things like beef jerky, etc.).

Gender Issues

• The role of women here is still one of subservience to men; albeit those roles seem to be changing as a result of women entering the workforce and exposure to Western ideas, many such attitudeds persist, especially in the more "bush" areas.  Women may be subject to certain behavioral expectations by members of your village. This being a conservative Christian country will also mean women in villages will be expected to follow certain standards of modesty (no showing skin above the knee, etc.). However as a PCV, you are placed in a unique situation in that they will look to you for guidance by the women AND men in your village, even when they would not do so otherwise.
• For the women: alot of guys here got no game; i.e. they will be direct when expressing interest in you sexually. As anywhere be careful around groups of younger men (teens and up), as many do not work and just lounge around all day, and may see you as "fair game". Just as anywhere, you may be exposed to men propositioning you, and catcalls and groping incidents *do* happen so you need to keep your wits about you, especially in areas where alcohol is consumed. This is all stuff you will learn about in training.

Assignment

• Vanuatu has some of the most isolated PC sites in the world, and as such your experiences will vary widely depending on where, what island, what village, etc. you are eventually assigned to.  As such the level of your access to "civilization" will vary as well. Health vols are comparatively more likely to go where there is no (or not as much) electricity, except via solar or generator (again depending on where you go).
• You will be issued a cell phone (at least my group was, if not you can get them in town); I've been able to text/call *some* people in the States and coverage can be spotty depending on where you go. I brought a smartphone and it died the first week I was here. If you do bring one bring one that allows for a SIM card. They have this weird system where your account will expire if you don't "top up" (ie pay for more minutes) on your phone. Oh, and don't let Ni-Vans, even your host fam "borrow" your phone, even to look at it; they want to USE it to call someone, and YOU will end up paying for the minutes used.

What to Bring

• Bring only what you NEED, as other things you can find here, albeit at substandard quality. The town here is littered with Chinese-owned shops that sell Walmart-bargain-bin-quality products. You can find toiletries, cheap electronics (that break quickly), etc. so no need to bring those, and the Medical Office will supply you with a med kit. **HOWEVER** you will probably be sequestered at a training site/village for the first 1.5 months so get the "little things" to tide you over initially...and believe me, after the initial novelty wears off, it helps to have tastes/smells/sounds of home to stave off homesickness. There are certain stores in town that will sell some of the things that we get in the States, but they will be very expensive, even in USD.
  
  - Spices. People here don't eat alot of strongly-flavored food; they like their stuff bland, so you may wanna bring stuff like hot sauce (they sell them here but they're pricey and in not as much variety). Costco is your friend. And remember spices must be SEALED otherwise they can be confiscated at the airport.
  
  - HEADLAMP!! A *must*. And get a GOOD one, don't get a cheap one just to save a couple of bucks.
  
  - Rechargeable batteries for your electronics. They have batteries here but they die quick.
  
  - MP3 player / iPod. Believe me you will be dying to hear music from back home when you get here!
  
  - THIN cotton, polyester, or cotton-polyester blend clothing. Women will be expected to wear skirts and such. Bring flipflops. They may tell you to wear "dress clothes" to Staging, but that's just a one-time thing, trust me you won't be wearing those again anytime soon.
  
  - A sweater for the cold season.
  
  - Quick-drying towel.
  
  - Water bottle.  You can get one in town, but good to have for the initial period.
  
  - Bring a folding fan, since you will arrive when it's HOT, and it'll be a relief until you get acclimated.
  
  - Camera, waterproof is preferable.
  
  - A Kindle (or some kind of e-book reader) if you plan on doing alot of reading. There are books in the office you can borrow but it's a pain to carry if you read alot.
  
  - Computer. Many people brought laptops or netbooks, which may seem stupid if you get assigned to a site without reliable power, but they will be extremely useful when you are in town; good for blogging, watching movies, watching TV shows from the States (bring those too, we can trade!), Skyping fam & friends back home; it's a HUGE boost to your morale during those times when you need to talk to someone back home or watch something familiar. Peace Corps' Volunteer Report Forms and Annual Volunteer Survey are electronic, so you will need a computer for those too. The office has computers but they are slow as molasses, and no Skype. But keep in mind humidity is killer to computers, so keep them (and electronics in general) in dry bags or ziplocks with silica gel packets if you take it around outside.  Your trackpad/keyboard/USB ports are usually the first to crap out; my laptop keyboard died after a month so I use a USB keyboard now.  You can store your computer at the Office while you're at site since it's air-conditioned, but if you do take a laptop to site, be careful as the locals will come to you constantly to watch/copy movies and play games, so try not to flash it around if that bothers you.
  
  - Flash Drive. Even if you chose not to bring a computer, have one handy just in case. Be careful if you decide to buy it locally, I've found many are infected or die quickly. Some people have said they wished they brought an external hard drive (one of those portable ones that runs off the USB) to store their fave TV shows/movies.
  
  - Pocket knife/multi-tool (pref. with a bottle-opener if you're a beer drinker). But don't cut fish with it, it'll rust. True story.
  
  - Soap & shampoo. Bring one bar or a tiny bottle for the first week at least.  When we arrived they forgot to supply us so had to wash sans soap the first few days.
  
  - Juuuust thought I'd mention that porn, adult material and paraphernalia are illegal here...officially.  That's not to say people don't bring them, just sayin ;)
  
  

• PACK LIGHT! I know it's not so easy when you think that you're gonna be here 2 years, but there are a coupla things I brought that I wish I didn't, and some things broke within the first months I was here. Don't try to plan for ALL contingencies, if there is something you wish you brought after you get here, you can have them shipped to you.

Closing Thoughts

• If you're having problems, something is bothering you or you are unhappy, DON'T KEEP IT TO YOURSELF. The worst thing you can do is swallow it or try to plow through it alone.  The people who have had the worst service are the ones who decided to just "grin and bear it".  Remember, we're all in this together, and whatever anxiety, nervousness and insecurity you may feel from time to time (and you will), your fellow PCVs feel it too, though they may not show it or they joke about it. Look to your fellow PCVs for comfort and advice. Reach out when you need someone to talk to who can relate to what you are going through, because folks back home mean well but only other PCVs can truly *understand* what you are going through. If you are having problems with your site or wanna talk to a professional, talk to PC Support Staff, that's why they are there. You are willing to invest 2+ years of your life in a foreign country to help people and that's a HUGE commitment and sacrifice, and we get through it by leaning on each other from time to time.
• And finally: Remember, you're a volunteer...don't stress over little things or take on too much all at once. 27 months will go by fast, and by the time the first year is over, you will be like, "oh shit, I only have a year left, where did the time go??"  Live the experience, absorb your surroundings, and learn from the pitfalls.  You will be living where people back home would have to spend thousands to vacation to, so enjoy it! :)

9-Month Gush

As of July 6, 2013, I've been in this country for 9 months.  I can honestly say that it took me about 8 1/2 of those months to finally feel comfortable, adjusted, and content in my new home.  I can walk about without feeling like self-conscious, the villagers have gotten used to me, and I've gotten used to them.  After being here this long, here are some of my thoughts, observations, and feelings so far...

First off, I would have to say Vanuatu is probably one of the most gorgeous countries I have ever seen.  Being from Hawai'i I'm used to a tropical environment, but this place has a rugged beauty that is unique.  Waterfalls, lagoons, waterholes, beaches, etc. all seem to jump right out of scenes from "The Blue Lagoon".  I'm talking, I mean, it's ridiculous how beautiful this place is and I have barely even explored 1/100th of it.

The work.  I LUUUUUUUUV my job!

Teaching basic computers and applications to the kids is an amazing experience, as for them this is an all new adventure, and their energy energizes *me*.  Teaching computers to teachers has been interesting, as for them it's a scary monster that they are learning to tame.  Still need to do some documentation; a network diagram, an updated inventory list, acceptable use policy, etc. Being the sole tech supporty guy is also a challenge, but I love the fact that I have my own tech "empire" to do with as I please, to configure as I wish.  The work has been crazy because of the constant schedule changes, school closures due to a death in the village (and for a village as large as mine that can be quite often), inconsistent attendance, priority shifts, etc.  It's been crazy, tiring, frustrating, exciting, wonderful, rewarding, excruciating, stressful and relaxing all rolled up into one big emotional rubberband ball.  I am truly happy with what I'm doing, and once I complete the curricula for the year I will be able to spend more time working on my secondary projects and polishing up the stuff here in preparation for the next PCV who will come after I leave.

But the thing I want to focus on the most is the people...after all it's the people that make a country what it is.  Called Ni-Vans (short for "Ni-Vanuatu"), the people here are truly some of the friendliest people ever.  Random people would wave hello when you walk down the street. A bus driver would stop his bus on the side of the road to buy a sack of "gato" (basically frybread) and pass them out to the passengers on a whim...and people accept it like it's a normal everyday thing. A 5-minute small-talk with a stranger would inevitably lead to swapping phone numbers, inviting you over for kava and to go visit their homes for some food.  Small talk with a bus driver would result in him giving you a bunch of bananas.  It feels good to hear a random kid from my school, who isn't even a student of mine, yell out "Mista Ken! Mista Ken!" when they see me walking around. A little embarrassing though haha.

I would be walking to a bus stop in my village and some random guy would be on a "wokabaot", he smiles hello I say hello back, he asks me where I'm going, I tell him, and soon he's waiting at the bus stop with me, chatting me up.  After about 10 minutes of chit-chat the bus comes, and he invites me to his sister's wedding in a few days.

Simple. I think I just made a friend.

And when they hear you are in the Peace Corps, they are amazed and grateful at how someone would be willing to come to their little country, live among them for two years, learn their language, and help to better themselves and their lives.  I have never met a people so accepting of outsiders living among them, so shy when it comes to expressing themselves publicly yet so outgoing when sharing a laugh.

This rampant friendliness took some getting used to, and it's still hard not to feel a little weirded out by it, especially when I get recognized by someone who I had a conversation with for 3 minutes like two months ago.  I would be walking in the city, and they call out to me, and say "hey, mi no luk yu long taem! Yu gud?!" (hey, I haven't seen you for a long time, are you good?).  Of course I turn on my fakey-familiarity tone and act like "yeah good seeing you again" blah blah.  This has happened to me more times than I can count.  Being from Hawai'i, we have the "Aloha Spirit" as well, but I feel it's been tempered by American culture somewhat.  It's kind of nice to know that there is still such a strong support system here, that you are instantly "one of us" just because you're a human being, and help is only a handshake away.

On the one hand, however, part of me misses some of that anonymity of just being an anonymous stranger in a crowd, minding my own business.  But then again, I do see a stark contrast when I see the wealthy Australian tourists in Port Vila.  They're friendly, sure, but when they say "hello" it feels like it's from a place of formality, rather than from the HEART as it is when you talk to a Ni-Van.  So then I gravitate back to the Ni-Van way of living.

Alot of this friendliness and brotherly love that is so easily and openly expressed is wonderful, but it also scares me.  I'm scared for THEM.  There is an innocense and naivite among the people here that is unquestionably endearing, but could also bite them in the ass if they aren't careful.  As they become more open to ouside influences and they start to reap their rewards, the dark side of these influences also inevitably encroach into their world as well...drugs, alcohol abuse, stress, violence, materialism, STIs, etc. are already rearing its ugly head.  And the people here do the best they can to deal with it the way they know how; using traditional practices such as community-based intervention, "Sorry" ceremonies, etc. to try to minimize the damage that these influences may bring.  The problem with this approach is that it focuses on the symptoms without dealing with the underlying problems head-on: education, corruption, a national lack of self-esteem...

Oh God the self-esteem issues.  I have heard SO MANY TIMES about how "Black Man" (themselves) are incapable of doing what "White Man" (the rest of us) can do.  When a Ni-Van commits a crime, for example, it's because he's a "black man", never mind what socio-economic issues may have contributed to the person doing what he did!

There's a saying: "When so many people are trying to help you, you start to feel kinda helpless."

And that's what I see happening here...there are so many international aid organizations at work here...Peace Corps, Aus Aid, China Aid, JICA, missionaries, tourists from Australia visiting villages (including mine) to donate money and supplies.  While their hearts may be in the right place (and I include the Peace Corps in this criticism), it has created a culture of dependancy here, a thinking among the Ni-Vans that they can't do anything unless "Waet Man" gives it to them or does it for them.  Even the majority of the businesses in this country are owned by outsiders, not them.  They never look to their own people when they need a solution, they look to *us* first.  A fellow volunteer even told me how she had heard someone say that they want to follow the "Waet Man" into Heaven.

*Head Desk*

I really feel that the change in attitude and feelings of self-worth need to come from a deliberate attempt country-wide.This needs to be encouraged by their leaders; community leaders, village Chiefs, the government.  The ultimate goal for all of us outsider organizations should be to put ourselves out of business...that one day, this country won't need us anymore. That's what I hope to impart in my own small way...to show them what they are capable of, that they can possess the tools to do great things on their OWN.  That we "Waet Man" are no better than they are, that "Black Man" are just as capable, just as worthy of making a trip to Heaven without riding on our coat-tails.

I want those kids who call me "Mista Ken" to know that "Mista Ken" is not a celebrity, but just another guy, like them. I have my flaws, insecurities and weaknesses, just as they do.  And that in many ways, they are better than I could ever be.  The world needs countries like this, people like these. There is so much Ni-Vans can contribute to the world, to teach us things at a human-level.

I guess I'm starting to fall in love with this country.



But I still hate kava.

Signing off til nex time,

Aloha and a hui hou :)

Just realized

Do you realize it's been 5 months since we arrived in this country (we're in our 6th month now!)? Sometimes it's felt like a year, other times it's like time just flew by. Sometimes it's just so surreal that we left everything to do this... Lots of ups and downs in that short time, and alot more to go, I'm sure! Livin the adventure, and savoring every minute of the experience!

Some more random pics of my school and me!

Enjoy!

Morning Prayers during Monday Assembly

My class, Year 8-English! They aren't as snobby as the Year 8-French students ;p

My Counterpart, Mista Ben!

Me!

A random chicken that was STARING into my house for some reason...was kinda creepy

School Days

Well 2 weeks have passed for me at my school, and I must say it's been fun, interesting, chaotic, confusing, stressful...and am having a blast! It's been a challenge juggling rotating classes., endless revolving-door students, and inconsistent standards, but it's been really really fun testing myself.



My classroom!

First I was told I would have one one-hour class on Wednesdays, who were nmy Counterpart, Mr. Ben's students. Then I was told I would have another one on Fridays. Then the French teacher said his students would see me on Thursdays. See, at my school computer class is basically an optional course, not required for graduation and such. People just show up when they feel like it.  Which kinda takes pressure off of me, as I now have the freedom to prepare class materials the way I want, teach them how I wish, and basically make class as fun as possible!

Class has been interesting and challenging to prepare for. Most classes here (English, Math, etc.) involve alot of lecturing on the part of teachers with students taking notes, then they take tests, etc. I want to break away from that and make computer class fun, interactive, and less formal. I already play music on the computer speakers when they enter the room, and have allowed students to see and touch real computer equipment and other "types" of computers (ie the tablet I brought from the States, my no-longer-working smart phone, my mp3 player. etc.).  It's been challenging as on the first day of class, four of the workstations wouldn't boot up, my intro presentation froze, the projector wouldn't work properly, and the students came in a half-hour late to class (which in retrospect was good because the material that I thought would take an hour only took 20+ minutes ;p.

My Wednesday class is made up of Year-8 Anglophones (English-speakers), Thursday is a mix of Year-7 & 8 Anglophone and Francophones, and Friday are Year-8 Francophones. Interestngly, I found the Francophone students to be more mature than the Anglophones, behavior-wise. Dunno why *shrug*
The teachers here are great (mostly), and some are really dedicated to the task. I'm fortunate in that my Counterpart is very very enthusiastic about IT and is willing to learn whatever he can. He's even taking IT courses at the University of South Pacific.  I told him after 2016 there may not be any more IT Peace Corps volunteers in Vanuatu due to budget reasons, so I hope that lights a fire under the school's ass to get him to a full-time position as strictly IT. Currently he teaches Math, English, and Science, and is coach of the girl's soccer team. This keeps him very busy, and as an IT teacher, when he's not teaching, he will also be the IT maintenance guy. Hell, I probably spend 1/4 of my time installing GAMES onto teacher laptops. I also hope to spend some time getting to know the IT setup here better. It's been a bit hard since I just inherited it from my predecessor, but I'm slowly but surely making it my own.

We have a new Headmaster at our school, a young guy from Eton, another village, while our good-for-nothing headmaster moved over to Eton. Basically a Headmaster-swap. Speaking to the PCV in Eton, he says that yeah the new Headmaster sucks, he's never at the school, always drinking, etc. Thankfully our new Headmaster is very good, he's there everyday, and seems pretty hands-on. Sucks for Eton though.

Looks like the Community in Erakor is interested in having adult workshops sometime during Spell time in May. So we'll see how that goes, I knda wanted to spend the free time travelling to the other islands where the other PCVs are, but oh well. There's also a "World ICt Day" in May so  we'll see if I can get Erakor to participate in that somehow.

Oh they started giving out school lunches at our school. VT 50 and I can get a big plate of rice, Island Cabbage, etc. Not bad. Oh and for another 50 I can get an ice cream cone ;p

Oh yeah and there was this huuuuge celebration in our village for the recent election of one of our ministers, and the big-ass fancy bus he managed to get donated to the school. It was donated by the Chinese governent, and has AC, a TV monitor, etc. I should move outta my house and in there lol  Honestly I have no idea what they're gonna use it for though, all the kids who attend the school come from the surrounding village which is in walking distance. We don't even have a proper parking space! I guess they could use it for fieldtrips?

this is why you shouldn't give me the keys to the school bus lol

Personally I think they should just sell the monster, and use the money to upgrade our IT equipment.

So yeah that's how it is in my school.  You know, for a long time I felt stagnant back home in Hawaii, unfulfilled, trying to figure out what I was missing...but now that I'm finally working and doing things with the freedom to explore how I want to do it, I feel totally alive and rejuvenated. It's an amazing feeling. :o)

Sitting in on a Class

My 1st two days of Primary School are done! Met and chatted with the teachers & counterpart, got my teaching schedule, observed a class today, and worked on the school computers...things are movin along! And the kids are F'n adorable, but they don't know what to make of me lol

I sat in on a Grade 5-English class, and discreetly sat in the back of the room.  The kids sang a Bible song in the beginning of class...after sittin back down, the teacher asked each of them what they did over the weekend...sooo many were reluctant to talk, simply because I was in the room. haha.

Everyone's sooo shy with me there lol

Yup, it's English class alright ;P

Peek-a-boo! (man it's like I have tentacles or something)

The teacher then asked the kids to go outside and identify the trees in English and describe them in a notebook. As they were doing so I chatted a bit with the teacher...it seems about half of the teachers (all of whom did not report to the school yet) are new to the school, including the English teacher, so I don't feel so awkward ;p.  She said she basically was focusing on gauging the school kids' language levels, and next week would split them up into groups based on reading level and assigning them work accordingly. 

passing out everyone's notebooks

Preparing to go outside

I'll sit in on my Counterpart's Grad 7 and 8 classes to see what the students are like on Monday. Then I teach my first class n Wednesday!! If they only knew how excited and scared I am at the same time!

Friday is a half-day so all the kids were out by lunch...and it was smoldering hot so I went for a swim in the ocean about a minute's walk from my school. I ♥ my job :D

Random Thoughts/Musings/Facebook Updates :)

Hooooly crap it's soooooo hot in Port Vila I've wiped my ass 10 times today and I haven't even taken a shit yet.

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Just had my toenails and fingernails painted, glitter and all (gotta pass the time somehow). I still don't get why girls think this is so much fun :-/


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3 Long Island Iced Teas + 1 Gin & Tonic + 1 Tequila Shot + a French lady asking me to take a hundred pictures of her in her bathing suit + another lady telling me her room # = an awesome birthday party lol Thanks Naseem! ;p


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Got a W-2 form from the Peace Corps today...even way out here I can't get away from the IRS :-/


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So I sprained both my ankles last week. The Peace Corps doctor says to keep them on ice, keep them raised, etc. The usual. A few days later my Host Family looks at it and tells me I should swim in the ocean at 6 in the morning, and that'll heal it right up. I tell my Dep. Headmaster and his wife this, and she looks at me like I'm crazy, then she tells me I should slice my foot open to let all the "bad blood" out, and it'll heal right up.

I think I'll stick with the ice, thanks :-S


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It started with me becoming oblivious to flies and mosquitos (sure they still itch and I swat them away, I'm just not disgusted by them anymore) ...then those giant cockroaches and big-ass spiders in the toilet...meh. And now I've hit a new plateau of dontcareitude...ants. I used to HATE seeing ants crawling on my food or crumbs, but now I would happily drop crumbs on the floor and after a few minutes watch it wiggle away from me into one of the holes in the walls. They're like nature's convenient little sweepers.

I've even eaten off a plate that ants have picked bare just cuz I was too lazy to wash it. Oh yeah. I'm bad.


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It's Friday here, which means the deputy headmaster will be by in a coupla hours sayin "Mista Ken, bae yu-mi go drink kava!" He's already said tomorrow I'll be joining in a one-year anniversary dinner of his wife's brother's death, where there will be (*big shock*) kava drinking!

I think Imma just hide in my bed this weekend 8-S


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Just realized I have an avocado tree right by my house!! Woohoo guacamole for the next 3 weeks!! lol


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Well I had kava again last night...except this time it was old-school, i.e. instead of grinding it they chewed it up and spit it out in to a ball, then strained it to make the drink...I swear I thought I was gonna catch Herpes.

My New Island Home for the next two years ;)

The Ups and Downs of Moving Into the Happiest Place on Earth

Sorry for not updating for so long, things have been crazy busy since we got our assignments and moved into our respective sites, I really haven't had much time (or energy) to put my thoughts down til now.


Lessee...I moved into Erakor Village about 3 weeks ago as of this writing. Thankfully the move was quite simple, unlike most of the others in our group I didn't need to book any flights, boats, etc. Just asked the Peace Corps driver to take me there, and bought a tank of gas for my gas stove on the way. Still kinda wished I got an electric stove instead since I have 24x7 electricity, but I've gotten used to cooking on a gas stove and I do like how fast it is to cook on it...though I'll probably regret it when I have to lug that heavy-ass empty canister to the gas store for a refill.

My house...it's a tiny little house, situated right smack-dab at the back of Erakor Primary School and attached to the computer lab. It's just enough for one person. You walk in, and boom! you're in the kitchen. The next room is the bedroom. I am replacing a married couple so their bed frame is rather large with no mattress, so I had to use the single-sized mattress I was given when we first arrived here. I evntually got another mattress, slightly bigger, when pink flowery designs all over it, the bed sheet, and the pillow ;p. Very masculine lol  Well in lieu of real plants and flowers in my place that works.

Right next to my building is the Deputy Headmaster's house, where he and his family live. They've become my adopted host family in a way, as I've attended several of their family ceremonies, and have had kava with them several times, usually as part of a "kastom" ceremony they invited me to.

Down the street off-campus is the home of the Headmaster, and up the steps from my house is my actual Host Family. I've met my host fam once...so far everyone in the village has been very nice, as Ni-Vans tend to be in general. Most everyone waves hello in the morning...it seems they know *of* me, as when I explain who I am they tell me they know or give me a knowing look. We're supposed to integrate here, but what with my many travels to and from Vila to take care of shopping and what-not, and the fact that there are like 3 THOUSAND people in this village, it's easier said than done. But now that I'm more settled in now, I hope to do a bit more exploring and thus meeting more people.  Oh yeah, and Coconut Wireless is a real thing here...everyone in the village knows where you are, where you've been, and what you've been doing before you do! lol

My village is quite "flas", Bislama for "flashy".  They even have street lights! My host family for example has a wooden floor, 24x7 power, a TV, DVD player and rice cooker, with 5 rooms! Damn...feels weird when the people you are supposed to be helping live in nicer homes than you do! lol

And now for the meat of this blog post...the ups and downs of adjusting to life in our villages...and honestly the adjustment hasn't been easy. It took me a solid 3 weeks, and til very recently it was quite an emotional roller coaster, alot more so than I expected. Feelings of isolation, of trying to figure out where I fit in, and a general feeling of "what am I doing here?" The people in my village are very nice and welcoming, but as close as they are I am still physically and culturally segregated from them, so this adds to that feeling of isolation.  This was surprising to me, as I'm a pretty independent guy, I've been on my own for a while now, have been to and lived in foreign countries, and have lived on an island almost all my life (granted the Hawaiian climate is not as extreme as it is in the South Pacific) so I thought the transition would have been a smooth one. Not quite!

I think our training village in Tanoliu spoiled us...there we were constantly surrounded by people, the villagers were always around us, whenever we go anywhere they would ask us where were going, what we are/were doing, etc. And those few times when the villagers weren't around, there were other PCVs there...I mean, we saw each other EVERY F'n DAY for a month and a half since we entered into this country!  It felt more like we were at a camp in the US than in a remote group of islands in the South Pacific. Now all of a sudden we've been separated, living alone in villages that, for all intents and purposes, are quite isolated, even when we are surrounded by people.  Even though I'm fortunate enough to be so close to the PC Office in Vila, and the fact that there are ALWAYS other PCVs there...they are usually from previous Groups so while they have been VERY helpful and generous with their time and info, it's not quite the same as speaking with those we "grew up" with back at Pre-Service Training.

A blessing and a curse has been how close all of us in Group 25 had become. That closeness developed quickly during the first week in-country, and got us through the first 1.5 months here; we were able to rely and lean on each other during hard times, illnesses, etc. But that closeness, now that we are all separated, has made the transition difficult. It's like we're missing a limb and are disoriented as to how to manage. I was actually surprised at how much joy I felt when I saw a fellow volunteer from Group 25 sitting there in the Peace Corps Resource Center (I'm talking about YOU, Denis!), after not having seen any of the others for a whole week and a half!

Also I think part of the reason is that we have NOTHING TO DO til the end of January, which has given us time to reflect on our situation, to think about where we are, what we are doing, to finally digest everything. See we've hit the ground running ever since we got to this country, with little time to breathe and take it all in...so now that we have all this time, insecurities, doubts, and homesickness has set in for alot of us. We are also in an in-between place right now...we've adapted somewhat to life here, but we're still "white man".

I've received phone calls from several of the other G25 volunteers, and basically we've all had the same feelings of inadequacy to varying degrees.  Of course those situated in the outer islands, the more "bush" sites, are having the most difficult time, especially as their access to cell service and contact with other PCVs are spotty at best.  I mean, if *we* on Efate are feelng this way, imagine how hard it is for the others!

We really really appreciate the all-inclusive "Team Talk" cell phone plan we PCVs are under; for those of us who have been able to speak to each other it has been a HUGE blessing. It helps to talk to each other, to speak to someone who speaks English and who you can relate to culturally who are going through the same things. As much as the people back home try to empathize, the only people who can truly, intimately understand what you are going through are your fellow volunteers who are here with you, who are going through the same "growing pains" you are...and this has made those of us assigned to Efate alot "closer" than we ever were during PST. Man we should start charging for these counseling sessions lol.

So anyway these feelings came and went throughout the weeks, and in order to get through it I remember what my friend Prasad told me...remember why you joined. I remember Rebecca, an RPCV back in Hawai'i, telling me about the ups and downs...The first few months are always the hardest, but we'll get through it. And honestly, though it may not feel like it now, I know the 2 years will go by quickly, and soon we'll be back home before we know it, so we need to savor these moments while we are here. I had a talk with Stephanie from G24 who had a great outlook on it...it's all about the experience!! She's in a waaaay more bush site than I am in and has adapted so well, I hope to be there (figuratively) one day soon ;).

It also has been a blessing that I am so close to Port Vila and that I have access to somewhat reliable Internet...Facebook and e-mail have been HUGE comforts, and the fact that I am able to send (and in some cases receive) text messages with people back in the States, even if it is just for a short bit...one special person in particular has been a total angel (you know who you are ;) <3) Plus speaking to my folks :), it's good to know they are only 2 hours behind me, they're much closer to me now than they were when I was back in Hawai'i, so it's easier to get in touch with them and it's comforting that they are so close.  In fact, it's always comforting to know there are people who care about you and are thinking about you... :)

Cue the song "Somewhere Out There" from "An American Tail" haha ;p


After saying all this, to assuage your concerns, those feelings of inadequacy and uneasiness have been subsiding, slowly. I spent a bulk of the first 2 weeks keeping busy, going into town to get my home situated and "lived in" (i.e. getting pots, pans, utensils, etc.), and the last week or so adjusting. I also feel comfortable getting around on my own now. It *finally* feels like a home.  MY home. Just in time, too, because the school year will be starting soon and I need to get my ass in gear!!

And honestly, as much as I've been whining this entire time, most of the people in Vanuatu are honestly really really very welcoming; they've taken us in like we're family, and are there if we ever need them. I don't ask for much though, and they usually come to me asking if there's anything I need :). Plus it helps that I can cook my own food now, and alcohol is in close proximity haha ;-P

So ya there's my schpeel, the ups and downs of moving in...logistically it hasn't been too difficult, but there were some bumps in the road...I surprised myself quite a bit, and saw what I can and can't handle. And it's only been 3 months! These past several weeks have been a real test of our determination, our drive, and our commitment. A couple in our group have already left us for the States for various reasons, and I feel privileged (and lucky) that I'm still here, in the "Happiest Place on Earth." (screw you, Disneyland!) We're all doing something that many people only dream of doing, in one of the most beautiful places on earth where people spend thousands of $$$ to visit...so yeah, we're all pretty F'n lucky to be here :)

Mele Kalikimaka

**MELE KALIKIMAKA**

Wishing everyone a Mele Kalikimaka!! They celebrate it here as well, but it's more subdued, more religious and more about partying than anything else. Kinda funny, all the complaints people have at home about how materialistic and commercial it is in the States is the very thing that we miss! We miss all the sales, the glitter and holiday bling, and the rampant commercialism that gave this season that special something lol! So enjoy all the crazy shoppers and cold weather, cuz trust me it just ain't the same without it! Have a Merry XXXmas and a Sexy New Year!! ♥ :D