my first real off island experience

This past weekend I went to the nearby island of Nguna to visit another volunteer. About 15 people from my training group along with a handful of the other volunteers headed over for a little fundraiser type activity. Our journey began with the normal standard of aelan taem (island time for those without excellent Bislama skill). The truck, due to arrive at 7 I think, maybe rolled up by 8:30. In this truck, a common mode of transportation in Vanutu, we all sit down in the back which is covered by a steel frame and then a tarp (because it's raining). It is sweltering hot and I have bodies touching me on all sides. After a bumpy ride, I look out and see water all around us. We have parked on the pier. We then load into 2 speedboats (and we all have our Peace Corps issued lifejackets) and zip off to Nguna. The sea was a little rough but we made it without any spewing. Once we arrived to the shore of Nguna, we then had an endless trek up to this particular volunteer's village. Up and up and up, and okay, maybe endless means 45 minutes, but it seemed like an eternity.

In Nguna, we mostly just hung out and talked and of course played Uno, because that's how we spend all of our time. There was string band performance and then the next day there was an optional hike up to the volcano, but it was downpouring so I opted out of that in favor of another game of Uno. Seriously, Uno has taken over my life. The biggest stressor in my life right now is if I have a Draw 4 Wild in my hand.

It had been cold and rainy for the last few days, I was even wearing my heavy jacket, but then all of a sudden, yesterday, it got at least 85 and humidity through the roof. We played our first game of Ultimate Frisbee in awhile and I was exhausted.

So that's basically it right now. In a week and a half I will be heading out for wokabaot where I get to visit my site. I think I may be going to an island called Ambae which probably means absolutely nothing to you. But I won't really give much info because it's not definite yet. I will find out next week.

And don't forget you can send me emails to volunteer@vu.peacecorps.gov and they'll print them out for me.


And here's a picture of sunset in my village: