pictures

http://loyolamd.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2035568&l=64c77&id=20101312

Okay the link for my pictures wasn't working in the other post, so try this. If it still doesn't work, just cut and paste.

And here's just a picture of us paying attention to the teacher during class.

And I'll leave you with this view of my home.

Snorkeling and Eating Training

So yesterday we had nutrition and water safety class. AKA eating and snorkeling.

In the morning, we walked over to our nurse's amazing house and learned all about bashing open coconuts and how to use coconut milk to cook absolutely everything. Then we ate a copious amount of food, most of which was covered in coconut sauce. I don't even know if I really like coconut milk covering all of my food, but I guess I'll get used to it.

Then in the afternoon, we took a catamaran out in the ocean. Someone talked to us about the dangers of the sea as we sailed out to a snorkeling location. Then we all "had to" jump in the water with our Peace Corps issued PFDs to prove we could use them. Then we took them off and got to go snorkeling for a couple hours.

Peace Corps Vanuatu is freakin awesome. Today, I move out to my training village where I'll be for 2 months. I'll be coming back in to Vila every week to observe in classrooms, so I may have time to update some.

Also, I added some more pictures to my second facebook album which is at:

http://loyolamd.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2035568&l=64c77&id=20101312

sand drawings and beautiful sunset

Well let's see. In my last post, I forgot to talk about the bigfala knives. I bought myself one. There's also known as bush knives, or machetes. Mine is 18 inches long and will be used to thrash through the bush (cut down trees and branches) and to break open coconuts. I think it should be a good time.

Last night we went to a music festival in Vila. It's all weekend long, but last night was only local string bands. Tonight will be pop/rock. The cool thing about it was that there was no alcohol allowed, only kava, so instead of everyone being rowdy and out of control, everyone was just chill and watching the music.

The first picture is of a man doing a sand drawing at the local cultural center. Traditionally the sand drawings are unique to each island and the drawings convey a specific meaning. This one is something about love. He also sings and plays music and tells stories as he does the sand drawings.

The next picture is pretty self-explanatory, but that's a view from the beach in Port Vila. The weather has actually been nice for the last couple days without major bouts of torential downpour. But I probably shouldn't get used to nice weather for too long. And last night I actually wore pants and a long sleeve shirt surprisingly.

Okay and lastly, here's the link to some more of my pictures.

http://loyolamd.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2035568&l=64c77&id=20101312

Bigfala knife and lots of shots

So I don't remember exactly what I wrote last time, but since then, I have been going through some training and different things. I got 4 immunizations for various diseases and my arms are slightly sore. I've learned all about malaria, giardia, and everything in between. I have a vague idea of what I'll be doing for the next 10 weeks of training. We haven't started language training yet, but we start soon.

I am getting more into the culture lately. I have shopped at the market where there's tons of fresh produce for very cheap. I have started to use the very minimal phrases I know in Bislama. I walk most places, but also take the local bus system. This bus system is crazy. Buses here are just large vans and you flag one down anywhere on the street. Then you hop in and tell them where you want to go, but the trick is that there are other people in there too. So they just basically drop you off in the order you got in. But it's always only 100 vatu ($1) no matter where you are going in the city.

Let's see what else. Everything is starting to feel familiar to me, so it's harder to write about the basic things. But I know to you they are still foreign. In terms of clothing, in Vila women are allowed to wear pants, but once we go to the village we are not allowed to wear pants anymore. If we want to, we'd have to wear a lava lava (sarong) over the pants. You also should wear shirts that cover the sleeves. For the most part, I wear long skirts and collared shirts or t-shirts. The boys have more freedom and they wear shorts and t-shits most of the time. I am excited to get my first Mother Hubbard, which is a dress made of colorful fabric that is very large and does not really have a shape.

For now, I posted the link to the group's photo website where we'll all start uploading pictures. I posted that link on the right, but here it is again: http://www.flickr.com/groups/vanuatu20b/

I don't know if anyone's posted pics yet, but you can check that out when you get the chance.

Also, here's the email address you can use to contact me during training (for the next 2 months). It's volunteer@vu.peacecorps.gov just make sure you put my first and last name on the subject line, and they'll deliver those emails to me at the training site (I go on Sunday). If you're too lazy to write a letter, an emails a great alternative, and you could send me an email AND write a physical letter if you want.

That's all for now!

in vanuatu

I'm here. i'm loving it. the computer is pretty ridiculous though. but here's my photo album. no captions, so make them up for yourslef.

http://loyolamd.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2035406&l=2efa4&id=20101312

let me know if that didn't work. hopefully it does.

so let me just update real quick. we arrived on saturday. we were super tired but we got a great greeting of leis and coconuts. then we had a driving tour of the city. we had no time to rest before we went out for kava (go to Peace Corps Vanuatu website for info about kava). then we went to dinner. the prices are expensive because we're in the capital and there are tourists. on sunday, we all had the day off so we went to a resort where pcvs can use the pool for free. then today we started training. did a lot of medical stuff and all.

we're staying in a nice hotel with electricity, hot showers, and a/c. on next sunday we move to our rural village for training. please write me letters. see you soon.

Peace Corps staging

This is some of my staging group (and some random guy) in the hotel hot tub. We really have a rough life here in the Peace Corps.

Anyway, here's some info about what we've done so far.

So most of us arrived on Tuesday to LA and just hung out and had free time that whole day. We're staying in a really nice hotel that PC puts us up in. On Wednesday morning at 8 am, we began official staging. We've learned a lot about PC policies and about safety and risk. I would say that's the majority of what we did. We didn't really learn too much about Vanuatu; we'll do that once we get in country. We've really gotten to know each other well even though we've only known each other for a brief time. We also had our night off last night to eat a nice meal and just have a fun time with everyone.

Today, we had more staging in the morning. We learned more about how we're actually getting to Vanuatu. We're taking a flight to Auckland, New Zealand tonight at 9 pm and then we arrive Auckland time 5:30 am on Saturday the 22nd. Then we depart NZ at noon and get to Vanuatu around 2:30. We'll be in Port Vila where we should have some internet access. The Peace Corps staff will meet us at the airport and we'll be staying in an actual hotel in Vila. I guess that's to "ease us in" to life in Vanuatu. We'll be there until the 29th when we go to our rural training village.

So we have the rest of the afternoon until 5:30 free to do whatever we want. We have to check out of the hotel soon and stow away all of our bags.

So far, I'm not regretting bringing my computer. Even if I don't ever use it again, at least I had it during staging. I would say maybe half of us have laptops, but I really don't know if I'll be able to use it once I get there. We'll see. A current volunteer told me that most people that bring laptops don't regret it. But trusty Delilah may not be so trusty once I get over there where I don't have electricity.

Quick note and photos

Not much time to post. I'm having a blast and will post more tomorrow. I just wanted to post some pictures (courtesy of Laura and Elin).

http://villanova.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2065680&l=d10b2&id=6100829

That's the link so check them out. They're from Santa Monica where we spent our first night. More to come tomorrow. I'm still in LA. We leave tomorrow night for New Zealand and then Vanuatu.

Los Angeles. . .

I'm in LA right now. I got in yesterday at about 2 pm. I took the free shuttle to the hotel which was nice because I expected to have to pay for a shuttle. When I walked in the doors, I saw a few people at the front desk with extremely large packs and immediately thought "PEACE CORPS." I was right. So a bunch of us met up in the lobby at 3 pm. The eight of us all took a bus down to Santa Monica, hung out, and ate dinner. It was great to finally meet everyone else. It made the whole experience seem more real and it was good to talk to people that really truly understand exactly what you're going through. After we got back to our hotel, we became the official welcome wagon and we met maybe 6 other people or so. We hung out at night and now this morning, at 8 am, we will meet everyone else. There will be 23 of us total going to Vanuatu in group 20B. I am so excited to meet everyone else.

tomorrow tomorrow tomorrow

I leave tomorrow.

Today, my iPod broke, so luckily I made over 50 CDs to bring with me. Those darn iPods cause more trouble than they're worth. I'm kind of happy to not be bringing it with me. But on another note, I decided I will be bringing my laptop with me. I've heard that some villages have generators which are on for a couple hours a night and I could charge my laptop there. And if I don't want it in my village, I can leave it in the Peace Corps office in the capitol. Since Delilah (my computer) is so old and slow, I don't really mind if she stops working over there. I probably wouldn't use her when I got back anyway. And I have the space to take her with me so why not? Plus this way, if she does work, I can type up emails and blog posts before I go to internet cafes and then maybe save time/ money by just copying and pasting emails.

If you haven't sent me mail yet, you probably should. I've heard the first 6 weeks or so can be pretty lonely if people wait until you leave to send you mail.

I'll be in Los Angeles until Thursday night doing staging. I'm not exactly sure what will take place there but I know I'll learn about different policies and procedures and I'll turn in all of my paperwork. I am so unbelievably excited to meet everyone in my training group (20B)! I arrive in LA at 2 pm tomorrow and Peace Corps stuff doesn't start until Wednesday morning so I'm not really sure what I'll be doing in the afternoon, probably just getting to know the other volunteers. I will have my cell phone in LA and will be leaving it there; so if you were meaning to call me before I left and you just didn't have time, you still have time for the next couple days.

Packing

I think packing for Peace Corps makes for an interesting blog topic. I am leaving in just a couple days and a I have pretty much finished packing. Packing for 2 years was not as difficult as it may seem. When I studied abroad, I packed so much stuff that my bags just barely made it under the weight limit. When I was going there, I felt like I had to bring everything I could possibly need for 6 months. I'm not sure why I felt this way. I guess I was used to packing for college where I needed to furnish an apartment or something. Nonetheless, I did use most of what I brought, but I probably could've gotten along with a little less. I mean they did have stores in New Zealand. Now that I'm going to Vanuatu, I am considering it more like moving rather than traveling. I don't need to bring everything I might possibly need, because I can get stuff there. Yes, it is a developing country, but if the people can live over there so can I. So maybe I won't have everything I'm used to here, but isn't that the point? I'm supposed to be living like the locals and not like an affluent American. So I know when I was coming up with my packing list, I looked at lots of other PCVs (Peace Corps Volunteers) lists; so I've decided to share mine with you. You probably won't find this information useful unless you're planning on moving to a developing country sometime soon. And just FYI all of this stuff is being packed in 1 large rolling duffel bag and one small backpacking type backpack. I also have one small carryon. I could've had another carryon but I don't really need it. And so far my bags are way under the limit and I'm pretty much done.

Packing List
Sunglasses (2 pairs)
Ziploc bags
travel size toiletries (biodegrable soap, shampoo/conditioner, deoderant, toothbrushes (2), toothpaste, floss, Qtips)
aloe vera gel
journal
EmergenC
rechargeable AA batteries, AA batteries, AAA batteries
solar powered battery charger
sneaker boots
reef flip flops
chacos
claritin/vitamins
chapstik
camp shower
2 pairs of glasses
towels- quick dry and thin regular one
can opener
leatherman
nalgene
day pack and/or tote bag
water resistant watch
ear plugs
camera, extra memory card (and usb cord) in plastic case
USB stick
headlamp
shortwave radio
sewing kit
scissors
notebook
solar calculator
pens, pencils, sharpies, crayons
deck of cards
world and us map
US stamps (to send home with friends)
envelopes
books- 4 novels, kids books, teaching reading manual
ipod and charger and battery extender
nail clippers
sanitary products
duct tape
umbrella
outlet converters
hat
ipod speakers
Soduko book, puzzle book
bandanas
hair ties
hair brush
sunscreen
dress shoes
earrings
Invitation Kit from Peace Corps
Hand sanitizer
CDs
laundry bag
masking tape
CD player
photos
stain stick
hard candy for gifts
other small gifts for families
Snorkel, mask, and fins




Clothing (approximate quantites)
skirts (4)
collared shirts (4)
t-shirts (4)
loose long sleeve shirt (2)
shorts and capris (4)
bathing suits (2)
sweatshirt (1)
sweater (1)
fleece jacket (1)
rain coat (1)
long pants (3)
underwear (14)
socks (10)


There's probably some other stuff I've thrown in there that's not on my list. But that is pretty extensively what I'm bringing. I think on paper it looks like a lot more than it is. I really didn't want to bring too much because who knows how far I'll be carrying it all. I think I did a pretty good job all in all.

might as well post more while I still have internet

I figure while I am stateside I might as well get in as much posting as possible, because once I journey to Vanuatu, I'm not sure how much posting I'll be doing.

For one, I found out that a distant relative of mine was the first senior citizen to enter the Peace Corps. Her name is Sue Sadow and she wrote a book about her experience called Into Africa. It is next on my book list. So I guess it runs in the family.

Let's see. I also found some roundtrip tickets to Vanuatu (Port Vila) from the east coast of the US for around $1500. So for all of you kids who were considering visiting but thought it was too expensive, think again! I found those specific ones on www.orbitz.com but I am guessing there are others out there too. However, I can't have any visitors until at least six months into me being there, and even better if it's later as long as it's not the last 3 months. I'm thinking the best time to visit will be next Jan-Feb (2009) because that will be my summer vacation, but if you're thinking of coming another time, that's cool too. Just let me know.

I suppose I can also update you on some info about what I know. I can't really remember what I have already said so this may be some repeats. I am going to Los Angeles for a 2 day staging on September 18th and then I'll arrive in New Zealand I think on September 21st. Then I think I go to Vanuatu shortly after that. I will be in the capital (Port Vila) for a few days where I will most likely have internet access. Then I'll be going to some rural village for training for 2 months. Sometime during that training I'll be going on a Walkabout where I will visit my future 2 year village. Then after training I'll go back to Port Vila for a few days where I'll buy my supplies that I'll need for life in the bush. When I move to my village, I'll be staying with a host family for 2 months while I get acclimated and then I think I'll move into my own grass hut!

So you can expect some sort of communication from me during the September - December period (maybe 2-3 times). Then once I'm in my village, not much internet (doubtful of any electricity at all) but whenever I go back to the capital I'll be able to update you then!

I can't really say that I know much of what I'll be doing. During training I'll be learning about safety, health, job specific training, culture training, and language (Bislama). But then once I go to my village, most likely they speak one of over 100 indigenous languages. And for 200,000 total people in the country, it makes Vanuatu the country with the most languages per person in the world. So should be interesting. The kids in school learn either French or English as a second language (depending on where in the country they are). Some of the islands were once controlled by France and some by England. I have heard that the kids know more English or French than the adults so we'll see. And hopefully my high school French will come back to me. I think it will especially after having a French camper in my cabin this year at Omega.


I think that may be all the updating for today. Two weeks from tomorrow I'll be leaving for LA so I'm sure there will be plenty more updates between now and then.

More to update!

Well I got home from an excellent summer at camp. I am going to miss OTC a lot, but I'll be back summer of 2010. Have no fear, I'll be there.

I then went on an extremely adventurous backpacking trip to Shenandoah National Park in Virginia. This trip included a dislocated knee that resulted in a 3 mile uphill homemade stretcher carry from 12 - 3 am(not me), but I did get a horrendous case of poision ivy.

Meanwhile, I got my staging kit for Peace Corps. I am now leaving a little earlier than expected (September 18th). I have learned some more specifics, but not too much. I can get letters and padded envelope packages at the address listed on the side of this blog. It should only take 2-4 weeks at that address (which I'll have until December). I am first flying to Los Angeles where I'll be for a couple days. Then to get to Vanuatu, I will be flying through Auckland, New Zealand (haven't been there since June 06).

Let's see what else. I have to get my serious shopping and packing on. Not only do I have to pack for Peace Corps, I have to pack up my entire room because my parents are moving in October. It seems to be a simple yet annoying task, because really I'm just going to shove things into boxes, but I still am using most of my stuff now, so I can't really pack it up yet. And packing for Peace Corps, it's hard to even think about. When I was younger, I used to pack for summer camp months ahead of time, but now I think I might wait until a week before I go to pack. I also don't really have room in my tiny closet of a bedroom to spread out my stuff and get organized to pack. I do, obviously if you know me at all, have a very detailed packing and shopping list for Vanuatu. But it is kind of overwhelming trying to think of what I need, what I want, and what I want to carry with me for 2 years of my life. I want to pack light, but I don't know how that's going to work out. Luckily, most of what I'll be bringing in terms of clothes will be summery, so my bags won't be bogged down with winter coats or anything.

I have lots of paperwork to do and other things to take care of before I leave. I have a huge list of stuff to do, but right now all I want to do is take an oatmeal bath to relieve my itching. I will post more later!