Adjusting

Yesterday I crashed pretty early (maybe around 8 pm) and woke up round 7:30 a.m. For those that know me, that’s really odd since I’m usually such an insomniac in America (where I sleep about 5 hours/night on average). I’m guessing the reason for my new sleeping schedule is because it gets pitch black very early. The only lighting emanates from the few homes and there are only two or three light posts around the village.

I think I’m getting used to the small lizards and palm-sized spiders roaming about, but the cold bucket baths still send chills down to the spine. I know I’m sounding pretty spoiled, but I miss hot water already!

Today we finished more language training. We reviewed the alphabet, how the faukaua >> ‘ << affects the word, and how to count up to 100 in Tongan. For breakfast we had bread and butter with tea. For lunch we had egg sandwiches and taikaka (sp? – a type of dough dumpling with sugar / caramel coconut juice). I heard from the coconut wireless (word of mouth) that our family had to go on quite the quest for the eggs and the nearest place that sold them was two villages away. Dinner was simply amazing as well; New Zealand sausage, chow mein, and eggplant soup with tea. We definitely have it the nicest out of all the group 71 volunteers (and I’m not complaining).

Before dinner, some of us headed over to the Ha’atafu beach and watched a beautiful sunset. I didn’t bring my camera to Ha’atafu, but even if I did, some things should just be enjoyed. I know this sounds so cheesy, but there was something romantic about being in a foreign country, sitting on a white sanded beach, watching a clear blue sky stretch out as far as the naked eye can see, and with little far away islands dotting the open sea.

It's sights like this that reassures me that some $XXXXX+ a year career just isn’t right for me at this time of life. However, I do wish that my friends and family were here to see and share this moment; it’s simply breathtaking. Speaking of family, I haven’t had a chance to get to a payphone or an Internet café yet (I think I’m suffering slightly from internet withdrawal). I’d like to at least let them know I’m okay, though I did tell them that in the Peace Corps world, no news means good news.

I like my Peace Corps group. We’re all united in the common idea that we can all try to make the world better, no matter how small that difference may be. It’s also neat how diverse everyone is and how we probably wouldn’t have met each other if it weren’t for Peace Corps. These people have some of the best attitudes I’ve seen; we’re already constantly joking with one another and even playing the occasional prank.

One of the topics discussed in class that was particularly interesting was the concept of independence/happiness. Americans generally like to be alone at times and have their own space. Tongans don’t seem to value independence as much. One of the children made a comment about how they feel sorry for one of the volunteers because he gets his own room. I was thinking, what a lucky bastard, he gets his own room!