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Published: August 7th 2009
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Hello readers. Here I sit: in A/C, living room couch, cutoff t-shirt, athletic shorts, hair in a knot, with a bag of pretzels and a glass of chocolate milk. A very typical "Brecken" siting, but a far different scene from where I was a mere three-ish weeks ago. It's funny how easily I can enjoy simple pleasures; namely chocolate and milk, two things that Sheridan has to travel at least a boat ride to
maybe consume.
Our trip was highly enlightening. Countless new experiences and just a ton of information. The first week or so was spent, as most of you know, in New Zealand. A very posh, very different country. But fun! We enjoyed plenty of coffee breaks and the convenience of going and doing as we pleased the entire time!
Upon arrival in Port Vila, we were immediately greeted by the sounds of a brightly colored string band group, as well as, a little rain. A quick trip downtown to get our bearings, Chinese food w/ a few of Sher and Justin's training group, and we were off to bed at the Formulae Hotel.
The next morning, we split up a little and shopped. However, we
had to quickly step it back to our rooms (up a hill mind you) to depart for Sher's training village: Mangalilieu. Justin stayed behind to get all of his and Sheridan's capital city errands completed. A four-wheel, forty-five minute truck ride later and there we sat, a table of snacks in front of us. Banana "doughnuts" among them. After talking with Sher and Justin's host family a few minutes, we headed in the direction of a beach to snorkel. This was definitely one of my favorite experiences of the entire trip, and one I almost missed out on due to indifference. So many bright fish and reefy creatures down there!
Back at the house, a feast had been prepared. Literally. Stirfry w/ rice, ramen noodles, a fruit and veggie platter, were just a few items that sat awaiting our consumption. After we'd eaten our fill, which I must say was quite a lot, we went on a walkabout w/ S & J's training host papa, Saramomo. He showed us a variety of buildings and trees, and even talked with me about my upcoming Pittsburg State attendance. He also told me that when I was doing my Peace Corps training,
that I would come and stay with them.
Again at the house, we anticipated a timely call to the truck driver to come to take us back to Vila, but not just yet. Sher & Justin's host mama, Lei Tamate, and sister Stella wanted to speak with us for a few minutes. After Sher was caught up on most of her PC friends' whereabouts and doings, we were then presented with our first island dresses. Yes, this was a giggly affair. Mom and I were ushered into a bedroom where Sher helped us into our smocks. As we said our goodbyes and headed back to town, we indeed wore big, blue attire to rush to finish our in-town errands. Let's just say we made quite the fashion statement.
The next morning, we caught a 45-minute flight to Santo, then quickly boarded another flight to Ambae. Island hopping indeed. The plane was so tiny; not even a door in between the passengers and the cockpit. Over the next 22 minutes, I tested my Bislamic accent with the airplane safety card.
Safely on the ground once more (but not for long), we stood and probably stared a little too
long at Ambae's hut of an airport. Sher kept us moving right along though, into the truck we went (the back that is). Lunch at
the local restaurant consisted of chicken, rice, taro and island cabbage for a whopping $2. Quite the deal.
Oh the boat ride. How to explain this...
We packed the luggage, and my mom, under the little house near the front, for an anticipated 45-minute ride. Uncle Travis and Sher huddled underneath as well for dry passage. Justin and I however, had to equal out the weight distribution...right in the center. Let's just say we were dry for about 3 minutes. Justin and I joked back and forth w/ some pretty heavy sarcasm, while the constant spray soaked into our cotton clothes. We saw a few interesting things along the way: flying fish cutting above the water, fisherman in dugout boats, thick hanging vines. The ocean was pretty choppy, but I had faith in our boat man. He really knew the water; the other man in the boat knew Tupperware...used to bail the water of course.
Two and a half hours later we landed. We hurriedly carried our luggage the short walk to
S & J's house, trying to take advantage of the remaining daylight. Sher and I did a quick load of laundry, and I was soon informed that I "sucked" at ringing out water. Distance does not separate sisterhood. The laundry system works like this: a soak bucket w/ soap, a fresh water bucket for rinsing, a clothesline for drying. It was amazing to watch Sheridan have such coordination and adaptation to this everyday task. It had long been dark as she easily clipped the clothes to dry, chatting the whole time.
Each of us unpacked a little and showered under starry skies, while Sher cooked a dutch-oven pizza over the fire. Just before it had finished cooking, we made our first acquaintance, by lamp light, with Sher's host family. Her mom, Lily, spoke pretty good English and immediately started talking with us after a kiss on each cheek. Sophie, Ronald, and Aldayer were shy and sleepy. They didn't stay long, and we didn't stay up much longer. A day of travel had been safely spent. But we were there.
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Jamie
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Sisters, indeed
Breck, it appears a knack for descriptive writing runs in the family - this blog was a delight to read! I can't wait for parts 2, 3, 4, 5.....10? Keep 'em coming! Jamie