inter island travel.
Just rolled into the big city after about 36 hours of transit time via ship, truck and my own two feet. It's been an interesting few days and I've probably never needed a shower and a nap more in my life. But nonetheless here I am bringing this update to you in an incredibly timely manner, because in the big city, these things are possible... communication with the outside world (well, sometimes. our communications infrastructure is still in the process of proving its legitimacy), consumption of dairy products (since this morning alone I've tackled a breakfast sandwich + extra cheese, milkshake, and an ice cream cone. am I feeling sick? yes. was it worth it? yes.), other Westerners to share your impatience with and anxiety over the many frustrations this country produces (and any other developing country, really.... but especially an archipelago) and the list goes on. What's up Port Vila? Long time no smell.
I've got a pretty ambitious agenda this week, including but not limited to: attending the new volunteer groups' "swearing in" ceremony, where they swear to defend the constitution, defend or maybe promote the 'good name' of the American people, do good work, blah blah, and transition to official volunteer status, purchasing tickets and finalizing my travel plans for Southeast Asia in March, buying and shipping a few hundred new books to my school's library (right now we're rocking about 30 books, we can do better than that), getting an update on the funding status of our water project (my fingers have been crossed for about 3 months now and they're getting sore)and receiving my PADI certification so I can finally start diving this tropical paradise(?) I happen to live in.
Some photos from the journey...
Entering the harbor in Lolowai after a five hour wait on the beach. (Please see: "island time". i.e. no concept of time.)
VIP status?
Yes mom, dad, PC Vanuatu safety and security officer, US govt, I very responsibly toted my life jacket along. Not only did I look cool, it also made for a decent pillow.
This ipod is hands down the best investment I made in coming to Vanuatu. Tired of speaking three languages other than your own? Island fever getting you down? Stuck on a ship for 24+ hours? Led Zeppelin will cure what ails you; jamming to "Houses of the Holy" while cruising along the cost of Pentecost when this photo was taken (got some funny looks from the locals in doing so but NBD).
This is a "down with drug smuggling" notice I entertained myself with for several hours. I'm not sure which version of Bislama they're going for here (since it's an unstandardized langauge and tends to vary slightly from island to island, province to province, etc.) or if this thing is just full of typos, er... "paint-os" since this is hand painted. But first off, skull and needle-bones? classic. Secondly, I think the last sentence, should say something like "yu kasem toksave finis", essentially meaning "you have been warned", (drug smuggling is bad! don't do it on our ship!). But with an "i" instead of an "a" in kasem and a "p" instead of an "f" in finis, it reads something like "you kiss my understanding penis".
So anyway, off to consume some more dairy and probably bathe. Lots more pictures and updates coming soon.
I've got a pretty ambitious agenda this week, including but not limited to: attending the new volunteer groups' "swearing in" ceremony, where they swear to defend the constitution, defend or maybe promote the 'good name' of the American people, do good work, blah blah, and transition to official volunteer status, purchasing tickets and finalizing my travel plans for Southeast Asia in March, buying and shipping a few hundred new books to my school's library (right now we're rocking about 30 books, we can do better than that), getting an update on the funding status of our water project (my fingers have been crossed for about 3 months now and they're getting sore)and receiving my PADI certification so I can finally start diving this tropical paradise(?) I happen to live in.
Some photos from the journey...
Entering the harbor in Lolowai after a five hour wait on the beach. (Please see: "island time". i.e. no concept of time.)
VIP status?
Yes mom, dad, PC Vanuatu safety and security officer, US govt, I very responsibly toted my life jacket along. Not only did I look cool, it also made for a decent pillow.
This ipod is hands down the best investment I made in coming to Vanuatu. Tired of speaking three languages other than your own? Island fever getting you down? Stuck on a ship for 24+ hours? Led Zeppelin will cure what ails you; jamming to "Houses of the Holy" while cruising along the cost of Pentecost when this photo was taken (got some funny looks from the locals in doing so but NBD).
This is a "down with drug smuggling" notice I entertained myself with for several hours. I'm not sure which version of Bislama they're going for here (since it's an unstandardized langauge and tends to vary slightly from island to island, province to province, etc.) or if this thing is just full of typos, er... "paint-os" since this is hand painted. But first off, skull and needle-bones? classic. Secondly, I think the last sentence, should say something like "yu kasem toksave finis", essentially meaning "you have been warned", (drug smuggling is bad! don't do it on our ship!). But with an "i" instead of an "a" in kasem and a "p" instead of an "f" in finis, it reads something like "you kiss my understanding penis".
So anyway, off to consume some more dairy and probably bathe. Lots more pictures and updates coming soon.
1 Response to inter island travel.
Hey Kara, you should read this article,
http://io9.com/5860744/new-data-confirms-neutrinos-are-still-traveling-faster-than-light
It's something out of the blue, but I think you would find it interesting. Soon enough we could be hanging out via teleportation devices or taking quick zips over to Andromeda via FTL drives.
Also,
know that funding has been restored to this awesome space telescope, here is a video that explains why it is awesome. With the economy the way it is, I was worried for awhile.
http://youtu.be/ihpNNBmJypE
Make sure to hang on to that fire dancing, pig slaying video for me. It's bizarre how we distinguish pets and our meals. Mitz is a very lucky cat.
I know it would be extremely eye opening/mind opening to experience something so different, like you're continually doing everyday. Somehow... I feel like you'll be one of those people that comes home, settles in for awhile, and then will have that sudden urge to leave and go somewhere just as new and exotic.
Perspective is something I know you're gaining. Skydiving is pretty bad ass too.
Keep learning/helping/conquering!
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