Q & A

I realized that there’s lots of basic day to day things that I do here that I never talk about. I’ve decided to answer some basic questions. If you have any more questions, send them to me because they make good blog topics.

How do you go online or even use a computer?

True, there’s no electricity here on Futuna. In Vanuatu there’s only one power company and I’m pretty sure they operate on only four of Vanuatu’s 83 inhabited islands. but on Futuna, multiple people have purchased personal solar systems. We charge the laptop using the solar or using the school’s generator. Then to go online, I just connect the telephone line to the computer (do you remember dial up?). The phone company gives free internet to the school which is awesome.

How do you send and receive mail?

There’s no post office on my island so to send mail, I give my letters to someone who is leaving the island to put at a post office. To receive mail, th epost office in Port Vila (the capital) should put any mail for Futuna on the plane that comes once a week. I live about a 40 minute walk from the airport so if I know mail is coming, I go to pick it up. If I don’t go, someone usually brings it to me.

What clothes do you wear?

On my island it is a rule that all girls must wear skirts that come below the knee. I normally wear shorts underneath because we do lots of hiking. Then I just wear a t-shirt (no tank tops allowed). For shoes, the fashion on my island is to wear imitation, Chinese made Crocs so going with the culture, I also wear them. They only cost about $3 in the capital and they’re good for walking through the mud.

How do you do laundry?

I put all my clothes in a basin with cold water and detergent. I then scrub them against a bumpy stone or if they’re really dirty, I use a scrub brush. Then I change the water in the basin and attempt to rinse out the soap. I wring out my clothes and hang them on a line where it can take anywhere from 1 to 3 days to dry.

How many books have you read?

132 and counting

Any more questions? Send them to me.