Our farewell get-together with the Kosrae volunteers turned out to be a pretty hilarious night. Around nine o'clock that night, the four of us (Meghan, Andy, Erin and I) crammed into a taxi for the half-hour ride to the Village. This was my first time riding in a cab here, and our driver certainly gave little thought to either the speed limit or my recent dinner as he careened around the slick circle road (after stopping for some Betel nut, of course) - I noted the speedometer hitting 60 at several points. Nonetheless, we eventually turned onto a rougher gravel road, where he was forced to edge the little sedan forward at a snail's pace.
The Village itself is an absolutely beautiful, tiki-themed resort buried in the jungle near Nett (pronounced "Netch") - and that's about all I can say about it, because it was closed when we got there. Silently cursing whoever had made these plans, we got back in the cab and instructed the driver to head to the Rusty Anchor. Somebody owes me six bucks for the two rides.
Fortunately, the rest of the group eventually wound up at the Anchor as well. I spent the rest of the night drinking shots of cheap tequila and Crown, along with Heineken and some Australian beer, and learning how to play darts. A few hours later, I stumbled home for a very restful sleep, from which I would fortunately awake without too bad of a hangover.
On Nialem, we attended our language lesson as usual, and then got out early. I walked to the Joy, which I have discovered serves an amazing cheeseburger. Unfortunately, I discovered this by watching a bunch of island-hopping Mormon youths devour theirs, while picking through my rather unappetizing Oyako Donburi (chicken-and-egg bowl). Oh well, live and learn.
Afterwards, I walked to the airport to see the Kosraeans off. Watching them, laden with flower crowns and shell necklaces, hug their host families for the last time gave me a taste of a dreaded moment soon to come in my future, when I will have to leave the nest and venture out on my own. Once they left I walked home and spent the rest of the day sleeping in my room.
Today, Rahnkaulop, we returned to Nahlap resort, this time with the rest of the WorldTeach volunteers (although our host family was also there for a youth retreat, and I spent most of the day with them). Michaela picked us up in a four-seater pickup, which forced the remainder of us to pile in its tiny cab for the bumpy ride. I have included this little video to give you an idea of what its like to travel here, although I was unable to include the incredible smell of the moist, rich jungle as the wind blasts it into your nostrils. All apologies.
Unfortunately, when we got to the boat dock the tide was low, and a couple of the men had to get out of the boat and walk it through the mangrove silt at a few points. This lengthened the usually quick trip, which wouldn't have been so bad had it not been raining. In fact, the sky was an awful grey hue and our prospects for a decent day at the beach seemed poor.
Nahlap itself was double its usual size in the low tide... but portions of the reef were still deep enough to swim on, and I dove right in. Before long, the tide moved back in and the clouds moved out, and it turned out to be a very relaxing day indeed. I swam for a bit, but I spent most of the day reading Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris next to our host family's boombox, which was blasting Alvin-and-the-Chipmunks versions of popular songs. They love the Chipmunks, don't ask me why.
I also met a JICA volunteer there by the name of Nobu. JICA stands for Japan International Cooperation Agency, and is essentially the Japanese equivalent to the Peace Corps. Nobu has already spent a year in the Marshalls, and was visiting Pohnpei for vacation before finishing his final year. There will be another JICA volunteer teaching math with me at COM, and I am hoping he will be able to teach me some Japanese before I leave.
Tomorrow they plan to take us another crazy hike up Sokehs ridge, so I had better get home and grab some sleep. Enjoy this photo of the Dolan Pwisel Malek, which literally translates as "Chickenshit Mountain" - it is one of my favorite sites on the route between here and Kitti. The Pohnpeians have a legend about a chicken that killed a king, and then was unable to fly, so it shat out this mountain. I don't really get that one myself, but its a cute name.
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4 comments:
Brian, We sure have been enjoying this blog, thanks for helping us enjoy your everyday adventures. I think with all the hiking and travels you're doing, you'll be anxious to see a quiet classroom. We are sending a care package as soon as The Thing arrives. Toysrus didn't carry any of that line anymore so we had to order it on line. Everything in the store is the new Star Wars and Batman right now. We just found out my son Eric is going to be a father for the first time, so that means your the last of the kids without kids! No hurry or pressure, we can wait a long time. This means we will now have 11 grandkids, maybe if they all lived with us we could compete with the families there...no thank you! Please take care of yourself and stay safe. We love ya!
Hi B-
Sounds like you're having fun, learning lots, and making lifelong memories.
I would love to swim in the coral reefs of the Pacific Ocean. I bet they are beautiful. I remember all the sea life we saw at the Monterey Aquarium.
I sent a package to you full of school supplies, art materials, books & music CD's. I also included some things for you. I suffered through mind games about the diapers. The cost is the same in the US, however, they do sell them packaged in large quantities. BUT, by the time the box was shipped, they would cost 1.5 times as much. Buy AJ $20. worth of diapers and I will replace the cost.
Shipping is a little more difficult than I thought it would be. Priority mail is useless as the packages take 2 weeks to deliver regardless. The post office has flat rate boxes that seem to be a better route to go. Of course, they are not real large. Also, a customs paper must be filled out. It it isn't the package is shipped "over sea" and who knows how long that would take!
Any way, I still have some books to send. IS THERE ANYTHING YOU NEED ME TO SEND IN THIS PACKAGE?
And, I wouldn't be good mother if I didn't "advise" you to not drink so much -- UGH! You were lucky you didn't have a hangover!
Take care of yourself. I am thinking you are ready to start teaching.
Love you lots,
Mom
Brian,
Lairom?
Chickshit Mountain....I like it. It looks like it too. That must have been one mean chicken to be able to kill the king.
I would attach a picture, but can't figure how to do it.
I read about a drink called "sakau". Is that just a tourist thing or have you had it yet. It said it produces magic and mystical feelings??!!
Gerry's sister is moving to Samoa. What a kawink-ka-dink is that? To have two people we know in the middle of the Pacific Ocean!!
The swimming and hiking look great. I'm with your Mom, I would love to go swimming with all of the reefs there. Just beautiful vibrant colors. Have you snorkeled?
Thanks for the daily updates. It is so interesting. You write so that we can actually picture you there.
Take care,
Love,
Aunt Nancy
hey Brian! Seeing as forming habits is a difficult task for me, I am behind on reading your blog, but trust me, I'm working on it!! My mind is boggled at your ability to broadcast your experiences through tiny little particles that eventually make it back to us somehow. Technology. Sounds like you will grow exponentially each day and I'm truly excited for you. I am learning to play guitar now and I am falling in love with music- I can trace it back pretty much to when you gave me some Ugly Casanova. So, thanks for sharing. :-) Looking forward....
-your cousin,
Katie
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