It's been a crazy first 2 weeks. The days are packed. For example, yesterday we visited the Prince's burial site, attended a church for part of the funeral, visited a couple businesses to see how we could improve them, did a little shopping, had an informal meeting with one of the guys from staging, went to the 'gym' (it's a burnt down house with one bench and an improvised curling bar), took a run to the beach, stayed at the beach with other volunteers, played some soccer with the village kids / teenagers, and finally relaxed by watching a movie. It's so nice not to have to worry about language sessions.
My roommate and I have this inside joke to see when it would be the most inappropriate time to say "does this turn anyone else on?". So far he's winning by pitching the line during one of our medical sessions when we were talking about boils. It doesn't sound really funny on paper, but it sure makes all the trainings pass by a little quicker.
Anyways, Tuesday we're gonna move to our next host family (at another island) and I probably won't be able to get online for 5 weeks. Hope everyone at home is well!
Friday, July 21, 2006
Saturday, July 15, 2006
Visit to the Tongan Navy Base
The tattoo turned out nicely. I talked to the medical officer and they said it wasn’t safe given those conditions. A person in my group wants to get a tattoo the Tongan 'traditional way', despite the warnings. Traditional wood tapping is gone, they now use the prison style need gun.
Today we went to the Tongan Navy base to do our water safety training. They showed us basic boating, had us swim with our lifejackets, and even steer a small motorboat. The instructor specifically said that there were no sharks in the area, which was a sigh of relief for many of us. Not more than a year ago, another Peace Corps volunteer died from a shark attack.
Today we went to the Tongan Navy base to do our water safety training. They showed us basic boating, had us swim with our lifejackets, and even steer a small motorboat. The instructor specifically said that there were no sharks in the area, which was a sigh of relief for many of us. Not more than a year ago, another Peace Corps volunteer died from a shark attack.
Friday, July 14, 2006
Going to town!
Yesterday we went to town. We went to buy our tupenus (they’re like dresses except for guys and yes, it is the social norm). It was also the first time we were able to access the Internet since we got here in Tonga. I checked my emails, updated my blog, and read some messages.
Today one of the volunteers and I went for a morning jog to the beach. It’s still hard to believe we’re here! After our 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. classes, we went back with more volunteers for a swim. It was low tide so we weren’t able to swim much. We did try to catch small fish with my nalgene bottle, but weren’t very successful. I did get a small crab though!
Today I went to class wearing my fashionable tupenu. I now have a lot more respect for women being able to use the restroom with a dress on. We had language sessions, but we finished the day with a a quick session on washing our clothes by hand (Peace Corps covers all the bases).
Anyways, when we got back from class, Lavinia took us to the beach where there was a Mormon celebration. On the way back we went to see the flying fox sanctuary. Flying foxes are like bats, but a bit larger and fly about in broad daylight. Lavinia treated us for some ice cream (from New Zealand) and we returned home in time to go on another quick run before dinner.
We went jogging to the beach and on the way home, some stray dogs almost bit us. Dogs here are act and are treated nothing like their American counterparts. In Tonga (and I guess in most developing countries) its common to see dogs limping around. People commonly throw rocks at dogs in order to keep them away. Dogs here are known to carry diseases and are a lot more wild. We were advised to carry at least a small rock with us when we run in order to scare away the rabid dogs. At the very least, we should act like we’re throwing a rock.
During dinner we learned more about our host family. They’re from Hawaii and the 16-room house that we are staying in is their summer home. They’re very Americanized; hence watching “Resident Evil”, “Sky High”, and “You Got Served”. The kids speak mainly English while the older siblings generally speak Tongan. Just yesterday I learned that the 9 year old we were learning Tongan from didn’t actually know much about the Tongan language. I wish I brought a good Tongan-English dictionary, as the one the Peace Corps assigned us is slightly outdated.
Right now someone from our host family is getting a tattoo of the Tongan crest on her right leg/calf. This’ll be interesting to see because the tattoo gun looks like its prison style/home-made.
Tomorrow is water training / safely!
Today one of the volunteers and I went for a morning jog to the beach. It’s still hard to believe we’re here! After our 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. classes, we went back with more volunteers for a swim. It was low tide so we weren’t able to swim much. We did try to catch small fish with my nalgene bottle, but weren’t very successful. I did get a small crab though!
Today I went to class wearing my fashionable tupenu. I now have a lot more respect for women being able to use the restroom with a dress on. We had language sessions, but we finished the day with a a quick session on washing our clothes by hand (Peace Corps covers all the bases).
Anyways, when we got back from class, Lavinia took us to the beach where there was a Mormon celebration. On the way back we went to see the flying fox sanctuary. Flying foxes are like bats, but a bit larger and fly about in broad daylight. Lavinia treated us for some ice cream (from New Zealand) and we returned home in time to go on another quick run before dinner.
We went jogging to the beach and on the way home, some stray dogs almost bit us. Dogs here are act and are treated nothing like their American counterparts. In Tonga (and I guess in most developing countries) its common to see dogs limping around. People commonly throw rocks at dogs in order to keep them away. Dogs here are known to carry diseases and are a lot more wild. We were advised to carry at least a small rock with us when we run in order to scare away the rabid dogs. At the very least, we should act like we’re throwing a rock.
During dinner we learned more about our host family. They’re from Hawaii and the 16-room house that we are staying in is their summer home. They’re very Americanized; hence watching “Resident Evil”, “Sky High”, and “You Got Served”. The kids speak mainly English while the older siblings generally speak Tongan. Just yesterday I learned that the 9 year old we were learning Tongan from didn’t actually know much about the Tongan language. I wish I brought a good Tongan-English dictionary, as the one the Peace Corps assigned us is slightly outdated.
Right now someone from our host family is getting a tattoo of the Tongan crest on her right leg/calf. This’ll be interesting to see because the tattoo gun looks like its prison style/home-made.
Tomorrow is water training / safely!
Wednesday, July 12, 2006
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!
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!
Safe!
Making a quick post at an internet cafe in Tonga. Just wanted everyone to know that I made it here safely. It's been such a crazy week! Some of the pictures here are so beautifully surreal. I'll update later, though that might not be for another few weeks. I've just been writing stuff down on random tidbits of paper. The jiff of it is that I've had the great opportunity to meet a lot of cool people! I'm staying with a very nice host family and trying to learn the culture / language. Anyhoo my time is up, cya!
Monday, July 10, 2006
Leaving Home
My family dropped me off Friday morning to the Yosemite airport in Fresno, CA. (If you're reading this, I miss everyone already!) From there I caught my flight to LAX and met the rest of the Peace Corps volunteers. We have a pretty interesting and diverse group. There are 10 women and 6 men (with 4 specializing in IT and 12 specializing in business). Unsurprisingly, they all seem to have a genial disposition as well as an impeccable sense of humor.
For the weekend, we stayed at the hotel to cover some general Peace Corps policies and get acquainted with one another. We tried to catch a ‘Pirates of the Caribbean 2’ showing, but the theater tickets were sold out for our available times.
Saturday night we left the hotel and caught a thirteen-hour flight from Los Angeles to New Zealand. One of the volunteers seems deathly scared of flights. Right now we’re on a two-hour flight to Tonga. I missed the World Cup final (something that I wish I could have watched with my dad). However, I was able to see France’s first goal at a bar in the New Zealand airport. They're now announcing the score in the middle of the Tongan plane ride! Anyways, I will write more later; right now I need to conserve the batteries on my laptop.
For the weekend, we stayed at the hotel to cover some general Peace Corps policies and get acquainted with one another. We tried to catch a ‘Pirates of the Caribbean 2’ showing, but the theater tickets were sold out for our available times.
Saturday night we left the hotel and caught a thirteen-hour flight from Los Angeles to New Zealand. One of the volunteers seems deathly scared of flights. Right now we’re on a two-hour flight to Tonga. I missed the World Cup final (something that I wish I could have watched with my dad). However, I was able to see France’s first goal at a bar in the New Zealand airport. They're now announcing the score in the middle of the Tongan plane ride! Anyways, I will write more later; right now I need to conserve the batteries on my laptop.
Monday, June 12, 2006
Lavinia's Mansion
We arrived safely in Tonga with all our luggage! Yesterday we finished setting up our bank accounts and placed our valuables in the Peace Corps safety deposit box. During lunch, we walked around town when we happened upon three elder Tongans sitting down with beads laid across the floor. We stopped to take a look and before we knew it, one of the other volunteers and I had received “gifts in exchange for money”. That’s my way of saying we got ripped off and 'accidentally bought useless items with our lunch money' (Though as a later note, I was able to give them as gifts to our first host family in Ha’atafu) With our lunch money spent, the rest of the group pitched in to help the other volunteer and I get a meal.
As for the rest of the day, we left the capital city of Nuku’alofa by bus and arrived at the remote Ha’atafu village by evening. We received a warm reception and split up with our host families. Each host family holds 1-3 palangis (if you’re not a Tongan, you’re referenced as a ‘palangi’/outsider). I was placed with the largest group, which was three volunteers assigned to one family.
After the village reception, we went on a tour of the entire village, which was pretty much the equivalent of walking down the length of one city block. Within a few steps we discovered an amazing ocean side view. After just a mile of walking, there was the untouched Ha’atafu beach.
When we returned home, Lavinia Sunia (our host mother) cooked us a very delicious meal of soup, chicken, assorted vegetables, and sweet potatoes.
The place we stayed in was definitely not what I imagined when I thought of Peace Corps and a developing country. It was a strikingly odd mix between new and old. The building was a 16-room mansion with amenities like a large TV and DVD player (which is considered odd in a place with sporadic electricity and almost huts next door). In terms of bathing, it was still on par with the rest of the village, which meant taking cold bucket baths. If the stars aligned perfectly and fate decided to smile on us that particular day, we could take the occasional shower.
For the rest of the night we practiced a few of the important Tongan phrases, watched the movie “Sky High”, and called it a night. Today we’ll begin our language training.
As for the rest of the day, we left the capital city of Nuku’alofa by bus and arrived at the remote Ha’atafu village by evening. We received a warm reception and split up with our host families. Each host family holds 1-3 palangis (if you’re not a Tongan, you’re referenced as a ‘palangi’/outsider). I was placed with the largest group, which was three volunteers assigned to one family.
After the village reception, we went on a tour of the entire village, which was pretty much the equivalent of walking down the length of one city block. Within a few steps we discovered an amazing ocean side view. After just a mile of walking, there was the untouched Ha’atafu beach.
When we returned home, Lavinia Sunia (our host mother) cooked us a very delicious meal of soup, chicken, assorted vegetables, and sweet potatoes.
The place we stayed in was definitely not what I imagined when I thought of Peace Corps and a developing country. It was a strikingly odd mix between new and old. The building was a 16-room mansion with amenities like a large TV and DVD player (which is considered odd in a place with sporadic electricity and almost huts next door). In terms of bathing, it was still on par with the rest of the village, which meant taking cold bucket baths. If the stars aligned perfectly and fate decided to smile on us that particular day, we could take the occasional shower.
For the rest of the night we practiced a few of the important Tongan phrases, watched the movie “Sky High”, and called it a night. Today we’ll begin our language training.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)