Palangi Night

Yesterday was one of the worst times to get sick (not that there's ever a 'good' time to get sick). We had a ‘palangi night’ where it was just Peace Corps volunteers and staff at the only bar on the island. It was the first time that we’ve touched alcohol since landing in Tonga so we’ve been alcohol deprived for 26 straight days (though whose really counting).

It seemed like the perfect formula for some good ole binge drinking. Even a headache, sore throat, and a congested nose couldn’t stop me from downing a few beers. Another one of the volunteers knew that I was sick so he brought me some Sudafed (thanks Adam, it helped). We were forewarned about the expensive price of beer there so I came prepared by bringing a few extra pa’anga (money) and coming on an empty stomach to feel a buzz faster.

One of the female volunteers came from a higher altitude place and was able to down beers without stopping; she finally stopped at 9 beers in the three-hour frame that we had. Anyways, it was just really neat to kick back with all the other volunteers / trainees in a non-academic setting and get to know them a bit better.