Ice cream, cheese, bread, and pineapple

Honestly, what more could you ask for than ice cream, cheese, bread, and pineapple? I went to Tanna (the nearest other island) and had a wonderful time eating. I also went to the bank and post office since we don't have them on Futuna. Tanna is quite the tourist destination apparently. While I was there, I saw tons of tourists who mostly come to see the very active volcano that shoots up molten rock every minute or so. I also found that on Tanna when I started speaking Bislama all the locals really liked me and wanted to talk to me. I guess they're tired of all the tourists. One morning a bunch of tourists loaded into a truck to go to the volcano on the other side of the island. The locals who were driving the truck asked me if I was going and I said I didn't have the money (typical Alyssa, huh?). Well anyway, I sweet talked in Bislama and they invited me to go on the tour for free (which is like $120 normally). It was pretty sweet I must admit. i was scared though, because this was a real volcano. It's not like Disney World. When the rocks come shooting up, there's no barricade to keep them from hitting you. And people have been hit by the molten rock before. I only stayed up top for like 5 minutes and then basically ran back down.

Now I'm back on Futuna. Nothing too exciting. I should do laundry today. But first I need my internet fix- it's been too long. It's really weird that it's 2009 now. Like when people ask me when I came to Vanuatu I can no longer say "last year". That's weird. I spent all last year in Vanuatu. It was fun to talk to all the tourists on Tanna because it really made me feel like I've integrated quite well. People tended to be impressed by Bislama which I totally forget is even an oddity. I mean I just feel like everyone must know Bislama. Anyway it's also weird to think that I'll finish my contract this year! Now people are asking me what I'll do when I go home- yikes! Maybe I'll submit my Starbucks application sometime soon. That could at least hold me over for a few months until Omega Teen Camp 2010.

Alright, well I hope everyone's 2009 is going well. I was tired on New Years Eve so I just slept, but in the morning we did get to celebrate by drinking one cup of juice each. Lucky, huh?