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Published: August 27th 2010
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Nathan Brodie
En route to Limaru during the first week of the month. I’ve spent 8 days in Vanuatu and I am loving it. This is one of the best decisions I’ve made in my life. The scenery is phenomenal and the people in Wusi are even better. Perfect weather coupled with great people and great food and I feel like I’m on vacation and not Volunteering with Project MARC.
I spent my first four nights in Vanuatu in Hotels. The Hibiscus was for one night and The Beachfront Resort for three nights. As I landed in the dark on the first night for the first time in a foreign country I was very uneasy. I was looking around for a familiar face, or someone with a sign holding up “Nathan Brodie”. After about 15 minutes of looking around I had to act though, the airport was closing, Taxi’s were dwindling and I needed a place to stay. So I pulled out 10,000 VT, caught a cab and hoped for the best.
I had so many thoughts running through my head as we cruised to the hotel… “Ok, remember the way back to the hotel, how much do I pay for the taxi ride, am I just another tourist to take advantage
Day hike
View of the Coast. of, or am I safe?” All of those thoughts were good for nothing. I wasn’t hosed on the cab ride nor the Hotel and I am very fortunate that most people I have run into in Vanuatu speak at least a little bit of English. Everyone I came in contact with that night was very nice and accommodated me very well. The Taxi driver who dropped me off even came back the next morning to take me to the airport.
So I headed to the airport en route to Luganville from Port Vila, and I was very excited. No clue what was in store for me, but thoughts of doing good for the people of Wusi coursing through my brain. I assumed a person was going to be at the airport when I landed, but alas this time was the same, nobody there. I had stored an email on my phone from Seamus about what to do if we missed each other in Luganville so I made a B-line to the Beachfront Resort. My first ride in the Taxi through Luganville was amazing, seeing all the shops and the people, not what I had expected at all. I thought
School Days
Here Nate was talking about where he came from to the students of Limarua. this Island was going to be completely disconnected from the world.
I was instructed to ask for Dave in the email, and when I arrived the Dave I was looking for, Dave Cross, was not in. So I waited. Dave eventually showed up and got in contact with Seamus, and after a short plane ride the two of us were finally united! With gear in hand we got a room, and caught up after not seeing each other in over a decade. I thought after that we would be heading out to “The Bush” to start to work, but that wasn’t the case. You see, everything happens in “island time” here. Which means it will get done when it gets done.
Coming from America where time is money, that is a very different concept to me. My thoughts of hitting the ground running, being in the bush for 27 straight days, arriving in Vanuatu as a boy and returning as a rough and tough shredded man are now on hold. Which is a very good thing. As I have been told, “The White Man” is not building this dispensary for the people of Wusi. I am volunteering to
Cactus?
Here's two boys from Arizona and we can't get away from the cactus...even on the other side of the world! help “The People” of Wusi build this dispensary for themselves. So as we wait for Alvei to arrive in Luganville I had the opportunity to see Luganville and ready the supplies… and enjoy some Kava.
Supplies ready, crew ready, we made haste to The Bush. First by truck for about two hours, it was awesome seeing the West side of Santo! Gorgeous views, cows, and so much green! Very different from what I am accustomed to as a desert boy from the States. After the truck was the boat ride, which had even better views of the island. Mind you this island goes from water, to sand, and then up. It’s incredible! I’ve never seen a place so beautiful. Travel by boat lasted about two and a half hours I’m guessing.
As we turned the boat around to off load the gear I see four huge mountain peaks covered in mist. A little further South as I reluctantly take my eyes off of the mountains I see a pathway leading up to some open area. When we arrived at the top of the open area the first thing I see is the “futbol” field, it brought back memories
Pamplemouse peeling
Nate's been getting better with his bush knife skills. of my old soccer days. Then my eyes catch all the trees in the area and the buildings, which turned out to be classrooms. Next to the classrooms were some people congregated and just hanging out. They were a little uneasy of our unexpected arrival. Seamus introduced us and asked for the headmaster Jimmy, all in Bislama (the national language).
After a few looks and comments between each other they found the right person and we were headed towards the bonding. We had disrupted class for the rest of the day because all of the kids wanted to see who had arrived. I felt like I was in a zoo because I always had someone staring at me, but it was a good feeling because as I noticed someone staring I would smile and I would get a smile right back. The first night there was a little awkward. Sure I have camped before, but not out of Arizona.
I had to learn how to start a fire, but even with a lighter it’s not easy. Boiling water by fire? Are you kidding me! I am a city boy who has barely cooked for myself growing up. We
Sunset at the site
The kids here follow Nate wherever he goes. Playing soccer with them has made him a local favorite. had plenty locals around though and they showed us how to set the wood, get the dry coconut leaves, blow on them to make sure the logs catch fire, it’s a process but I’m now glad I can say that I can start a fire and cook for myself. As the first night continued we had people offering us many different kinds of fruit, and Seamus showed us how to use our newly bought machetes to cut our pamplemous. I must say it is very hard to have finesse with a machete.
That night was also the first night I could use my brand new tent and sleeping pad. I’m very happy with both, very comfy. I do believe I’m sleeping better in Vanuatu without a bed than I do back home in the air conditioning, fan, and a matress. I’m getting more hours as well and I’m not waking up tired at all. I’m actually having dreams because back home I don’t believe I get too much REM sleep. It’s amazing in just four days how much of an impact this tropical island paradise has had on me.
It’s been a vacation thus far, I have had
Suns?
Imagine our surprise to see a fellow (Alona) wearing Phoenix Suns shorts on our second day at the site. one hike, a couple days of decent walks, two sessions of volleyball, but not much anaerobic activity. Yet because of the diet here I feel better and seem to be losing weight. The diet in Vanuatu is so refreshing and loaded with healthy foods. Green coconuts, oranges, fish, pamplemous, papaya, and lots of other things I have and have not yet been able to try. Now to be honest, the fish and the yams go down hard, but I am trying. I do think that because it’s food I’m not used to, I’m eating less. Nevertheless, I’m enjoying losing weight while on vacation.
It has only been a week and I’m already ecstatic that I decided to volunteer with Project MARC. As of right now it looks like I may be spending five days alone in the bush. That’s a very good test for me if it happens but it will give me a huge opportunity to be completely enveloped into the community. I need to get better with my Bislama so I can speak to anyone I may come in contact with. I am beginning to understand I can truly accomplish whatever I want to in life as
Cooking lessons
Here's Nate learning the culinary complications of the Santo Yam. long as I try. I can’t wait to see what the rest of this month is going to be like.
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Marty O'Bryan
non-member comment
A Double-Portion of Generosity
Hey, Nathan, loved reading about your first 8 days. Can hardly wait to hear the rest. What a fabulous experience you must be having. We're so happy for you. Much love, marty and bert