Saturday, July 28, 2012

After morning prayer and breakfast, Cayla and I washed our clothes and hung them on the line behind the house.  Saturday is a relaxing day in Fanualama (“place of peace” - the name of the residences of diocesan staff).  Bishop Chris gave Patrick, a student in my English class, a new soccer ball to bring over the house for me.  It got a lot of use today.  I was playing outside the house and it was a magnet for adorable children.  Cayla and I have a new buddy, Chrisma.  She played with us all morning and was our shadow for the rest of the day.  Chrisma is a beautiful, energetic girl and I’m so happy to have a new friend. 

Cayla and I got a ride from Bishop Chris into town to the Telecom so we could get internet access.  Luckily he passed us again on the road on our return trip so we hopped in the truck.  We munched on Sr. Loretta’s pancakes (different from our version at home but still delicious) and bananas for lunch.  Cayla, Chrisma, and I walked to the game and our team won 3-1!  Spectators were in the shade but the field was directly in the sun.  I give all the players so much credit for surviving the stifling heat.  

Back at home we fell asleep reading in the hammocks hung underneath the house.  I’m actually living in a dream world.  We woke up to Bishop Chris shouting for us to get in the truck for a car wash.  In the Solomons, getting a car wash means cramming a ton of kids in the vehicle, driving it into the river, then cleaning it off with buckets and brushes.  It was quite the event and everyone wanted to come.  Half of the soccer team, Cayla, Chrisma, and I piled into the pickup and drove to the Fiu River.  The water was refreshing as we got to work on the muddy truck.  After the work was complete, we got to swim around and have some fun.  I joined the boys jumping off the bridge into the river.  You had to climb up rock/mud stairs to get to the bridge.  I had a few helping hands to keep my balance as we climbed on the railing, held hands, then jumped into the crystal clear river.  It was an accomplishment to do all this while making sure my skirt didn’t fly up as we flew through the air and plunged in.  It was so much fun, and I volunteered to wash the car everyday but to no avail.  I jumped off a few more times, convinced Cayla to do it, and got to know the boys a little bit.  I swam around with Chrisma for a little while and she worked on blowing bubbles and kicking.  After cooling off we squeezed into the truck and came home.  

Cayla and I went for a jog to the clinic where she will be working on Monday.  It was only a few miles, but we were sweating like crazy when we finished.  The heat and humidity make it difficult to do much activity.  We cleaned up for evening prayer and dinner.  It was the final evening of the music workshop that has been running all week.  After a feast with the whole group, members of the workshop gave thank you speeches and gifts.  We sang a few songs all together.  The young men and women participating in the workshop are incredibly talented musicians.  Their voices, song writing skills, and guitar abilities are outstanding.  I was happy to have gifted singers surrounding me to drone out my very out of tune vocals. 

Friday, July 27, 2012

My first morning in Auki began just like the other days with the sisters in Tenaru and Visale.  Bishop Chris said mass in the chapel at 6:10.  Sr. Loretta and I walked across the road to school for my first day.  Aligegeo Secondary School is a boarding school, so we walked past the student housing before reaching the classrooms and teacher’s room.  I met the Deputy and she instructed me to shadow the Form 4 English classes to prepare to teach them for the next 2 1/2 weeks.  The Form 4 English teacher, John, came over to me with a textbook and some handouts for the students and said, “You will teach today.  Here is where we left off.  Start with this lesson.”  Might as well jump right into things, right?  So I went off to teach a double period English class by myself for both Form 4 sections.  

For the most part, the students are very soft spoken.  I had them go around the room and introduce themselves to me.  I could barely make out what they were saying, but I’ll do this every day and hopefully they will be more confident and assertive.  I taught the students about the incredibly fascinating world of grammar.  We practiced putting the articles a, an, and the into a sentence.  They asked a few questions about my home and I told them all about my family and where I live.  All went well, and I survived my first day.

After school we went to the market and picked up a few fresh vegetables.  Tomorrow the market will be packed with people and products for the weekend rush, so we’ll get most things tomorrow.  The heat was sweltering as we waited for the bus to take us home.  We spent the rest of the afternoon weeding the grounds with Bishop Chris.  It was actually very relaxing and didn’t feel like a chore at all.  Cayla and I got a little exercise in before evening prayer.  We enjoyed dinner with the music ministry group whose program ends on Sunday - lots of delicious fish and vegetables. 

Right now, Sr. Loretta is playing bubble pop on Cayla’s Kindle, and having a great time.  She has been laughing and screaming every time she passes a new level.  We’re all addicted to the game by now.  

Auki at Last

Thursday, July 26, 2012

The night sky sparkled with stars when we left Visale to catch our ferry to Auki from Honiara.  We bought our tickets and actually boarded at 8:00, in atypical Solomons fashion.  Cayla and I sat at a table with two men who act as general contractors for RAMSI.  One was from Scotland, the other from Victoria, Australia.  I got a few cat naps in during the hot, four hour trip...and I didn’t get seasick!  Cayla may or may not have purposely used the soft loaves of bread we bought for the bishop and sisters in town as a pillow.  There was a nice imprint of her face on the white bread.  Bishop Chris, Sr. Matrina, and Brother Roger Poletti welcomed us when we stepped off the boat with beautiful palm necklaces.  Brother Roger was my teacher at Kellenberg, and it is amazing that we are working together on the other side of the world.  

We drove about 2 km up the road to our home for the next three weeks.  Cayla and I will be living with Sr. Loretta and Sr. Matrina.  Bishop Chris lives next door.  There is a beautiful little chapel and homes for several other people who work for the diocese.  We enjoyed lunch before going into town to get internet access.  Cayla and I caught up on emails and blog postings.  

Our small community said evening prayer and the rosary in the chapel.  Cayla and I shook hands with everyone as they exited the chapel.  This is a tradition for welcoming and introducing oneself.  Bishop Chris chatted with us about PC and Long Island things.  We then enjoyed dinner together in a brand new building with our new friends.  Most of the village people here are very shy.  Hopefully they’ll warm up to us in the coming days.  I caught up with Brother Roger during dinner and heard all the recent Kellenberg news.  

It is nice to be settling down in a place for more than a couple of days.  Auki is beautiful, and I’m eager to be in the swing of things!

Library Complete!

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

It was a warm, beautiful morning in Visale as we walked to mass.  My friend Dominic was the altar server.  Sr. Vero, Cayla, and I ate a quick breakfast and started our busy day.  I went to the library and began the tedious task of alphabetizing, labeling, and dusting every book.  The job was quite daunting, but many helping hands filtered into and out of the library all day.  Agnes, the English teacher, and her 2 year old son Gerard, were a huge help.  She came in on all her breaks to assist me and even enlisted the aid of her Form 3 class.  The students made the work load a lot lighter.  I was glad that they took part in the improvement of an important aspect of their school. 

Slowly but surely, the books were organized on the shelves.  It was very hot in the room, since there wasn’t much breeze today.  Cayla came in after her morning at the clinic and was an enormous help.  I took a quick break to grab some fruit and a drink for lunch.  Sr. Vero came to the house and asked me to join her in one of the classrooms.  The teaching staff, nurses, and our hiking guides sat at tables around the room.  A separate table in the center was set for Cayla and me.  There was a bountiful buffet of sandwiches, fruits, and drinks.  Again, I was speechless and so happy.  I have only been here for three days, and the people of Visale are so grateful.  They don’t realize that they have given me new perspective and memories that I will treasure forever.

Several people stood up and shared kind words of thanksgiving to Cayla and me - the principal, the head nurse, Agnes, and Sr. Vero.  Agnes started crying when she expressed how much the library means to the school.  Now, they do not have to seek a librarian to come in and organize the books.  The primary and secondary schools will adapt new schedules that incorporate a library period.  English is a third language for the students, so reading is crucial.  If they continue practicing and reading, there is sure to be improvement in the English skills.  Students must pass tests mandated by the state every year or two in order to move on to the next form.  Usually if a student fails, he or she will not continue their schooling.  English is a large portion of the exam, so it is critical for them to get comfortable with the language.  Cayla and I said a few words of thanks to them for their generosity and spirit.  Cayla very insightfully told them that we were so happy to come to Visale and help in the school and clinic, but they way they live is perfect.  After the speeches, we were presented with beautiful shell necklaces on behalf of the school, parish, and clinic.  Then, everyone enjoyed the meal and the company.   

I returned to the library to plug away at the work.  It took a long time to label all the fiction, young adult, and children’s books.  Cayla and I wrote the genre and a number on small labels and taped them to the binding of each book.  This will make it easier to keep track of which books students’ borrow.  They will also be able to return it to the correct place on the shelf when they are finished since it’s in numerical order.  Sr. Vero scooped us up from the hot room, and we went for a walk.  She took us through the area where the sisters of Sacred Heart parish live.  We followed the path to the beach and sat on the shore to watch sunset.  I took an absurd amount of photos.  I never want to forget the beauty and serenity of this tiny island.  One of the sisters was out on the beach and brought us a few coconuts.  When she left, I said dou bongi (goodnight), and she was so surprised I knew some Pidgin.  She started cracking up and shook my shoulders with laughter.   “Dou bongi!” she replied.

The sun went down and I went back to the library with Cayla.  We worked in the darkness using a few flashlights and a lantern.  I had some help finishing up from another teacher, Cidrella.  An adorable baby and a bunch of kids were hanging around outside the door in the dark, very interested in the action.  We invited them inside and got them to cut tape and stick on labels.  Sr. Vero hung the curtains, and I unrolled a few mats to line the floor.  I put signs over each section and left a note on the door.  Cayla and I took a few victory photos in the room and were very satisfied with the work we had done.  I felt like a proud mother seeing the progress we made in such a short time.  I am so excited that I was able to help get the library started.  I think it will be a lasting resource for the school and Visale community.  It was quite a transformation from a dusty, disorganized room with more rat droppings than I have ever seen to a neat, welcoming library.  I hope children and adults will go there to learn and explore their imaginations.   

Cayla and I took showers before our last dinner with Sr. Vero.  She made a delicious meal, and we enjoyed our time together recounting the events of the day, asking questions, and joking around.  We said evening prayers, cleaned the kitchen, exchanged contact information, and went to our rooms to get to bed.  As I sat down to write this blog entry, the house started shaking - earthquake! Cayla and I froze and looked at each other.  Then we jolted up to get out of the house.  Sr. Vero was about to take a shower (which is underneath the house), and raced inside in her towel, frantic that we’d have to evacuate and she’d be running down the street naked.  At that point, the major vibrations of the earthquake were over, and we spent ten minutes recovering from laughter at the absurdity of the situation.  We listened to the radio and learned that it was a 6.5 earthquake and the epicenter was just south of Guadalcanal.  What a way to end these crazy few days.  Sr. Vero will drive Cayla and me to the ferry at 5:30 tomorrow morning.  We’ll try to get some sleep before another day of travel tomorrow.  I’m very sad to leave Visale.  I wish we had more time here.  I promise myself that I will be returning to this tropical heaven where I have gained so much perspective and made lifetime friends. 

Markets and Mountains

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

We began the day with our usual routine of mass at 6:15 at Sacred Heart Church.  After the service we met Joan, a woman from New Zealand who last visited the Solomons 50 years ago.  She is helping the Daughters of Mary Immaculate nuns with horticulture for six weeks.  For breakfast we had leftover rice, pineapple, and tea.  A hearty meal for a big day. 

Sr. Vero and I went into town right away to buy supplies for the new library!  I was so excited to get a few very necessary items to make the room inviting for the students.  It took about 45 minutes to Honiara, and Sr. and I chatted the whole way.  Sr. Vero is an incredible woman.  She has major responsibilities with the school and is extremely busy, but still manages to laugh all the time.  I really admire her.  We finally reached the school supply store where I purchased a notebook to start a system of recording book borrowing, labels to number the books, and colorful paper and plastic coverings to categorize the sections.  Next stop, we bought liner for the shelves so they will be easy to clean, mats for the open space on the floor, and material for curtains.  I was giddy with the idea of making the room into a library for the primary and secondary school students.  

At the Central Market, we bought a fish for dinner that was caught hours before.  Men stood 20 feet from the shore with huge coolers filled with reef fish - it was quite an interesting smell.  The heat was sweltering at this point, so Sr. Vero and I treated ourselves to an ice cream.  My passion fruit cone was heavenly, and I was pretty much hypnotized by how glorious it was.  We bought an apple for Cayla, and orange soda for the boys who would be our guides to the top of the mountain in the afternoon.  During this long shopping excursion, I must point out that everyone was bewildered by my presence.  I have never been a minority, and now I am outnumbered by the thousands.  The pointing and staring is comical, especially when Sr. Vero translates the Pidgin comments.  We were very amused by the attention, and I assured her that everyone was looking at her, not me.  On the ride back, we talked some more.  It is interesting to learn about the practices here, from marriages, to violence, to the medical system, to abortions.  Sr. Vero, Cayla, and I often talk about how things work in our respective cultures.

I ate a quick lunch of pineapple, mandarin, and muesli bar before walking 100 yards to the library.  A few strapping boys helped me move the library shelves to make the space open and welcoming.  Two teachers kindly helped me line the shelves, so they are ready for the books!  Everything is arranged in precarious piles according to category - fiction, non-fiction, novels, children, science, encyclopedias, religion, etc.  The real challenge with be alphabetizing and labeling them tomorrow.  

I scooted out after finishing the shelves at 3:15 to get ready for my big hike!  I stopped at the clinic to pick up Cayla, and they were having a crisis.  A man came for help by boat this morning.  He was throwing up blood for three days but couldn’t get transportation to a clinic.  The man finally arrived at 9:00 this morning, and they radioed for an emergency vehicle to bring him to the Central Hospital.  Six hours later, help had not arrived.  Cayla was convinced he had liver failure - his skin was yellow and his legs were swollen up to his knees.  It was extremely frustrating because the nurses were not concerned.  They began to worry very late in the game, and Cayla did all she could to encourage them to pursue other methods to get help.  Finally, an ambulance was confirmed.  The systems here are highly inefficient, and in a life or death scenario, it’s not ok to be on “Solomon Island time.”  

Cayla and I changed into hiking gear, refilled our water bottles, and met Jerry and Godric for the hike.  Two girls, Ritalina and Cecilia tagged along.  We were going to hike the mountain that overlooks the village.  The path is visible from the road.  It was quite the event for the village.  People peeked out their windows and trailed us down the road.  Sr. Vero told us when we returned that everyone lined up next to her house to watch our tiny figures to see us reach the top.  The hike was extremely difficult.  It started off at a slight incline, meandering through hike grasses and over little streams.  Then it turned into a full on ladder climb through dirt, rocks and “bush.”  My friend Dominic, who trailed me when I went for a swim yesterday, met us on the trail.  He is adorable, adventurous, and funny.  I called him “Monkey Man” for the hike because he would scramble up the trail way ahead of us then whistle and chant and wait for us to catch up.  Jerry was patient and quite the gentlemanly guide.  Godric brought up the rear and made sure we didn’t roll all the way back down the trail.  When we finally reached the top, we celebrated with pictures and water.  Cayla and I gave our four new friends (Cecilia only went with us for the beginning of the trip) chocolate granola bars, and I passed out Serengetee stickers as a reward for our triumph.  Little did I know the hardest part was yet to come.

Cayla and I opted for the other path down the mountain, because the ascent we took was so steep.  We were nervous about climbing back down that way.  Instead we bush walked through a wild pig’s dwelling, slid down steep muddy drops, and hung on for dear life to vines as we tried to descend.  Jerry, Godric, Ritalina, and Monkey Man were all barefoot, prancing down the mountain making Cayla and I look like fools.  They were very patient and very amused by us.  I loved every second of it.  It was a cross between Tarzan, Where the Wild Things Are, and The Jungle Book.  Ritalina made me a crown of leaves, so I looked the part swinging through the vines.  The trek back took much longer than I anticipated, and Cayla must have inquired 30 times if we were going the right way.  I was just nervous that the sun would set before we were out of the bush.  At long last, we came to the road.  Cayla wasn’t too keen on how the adventure worked out, and starting running when Sr. Vero’s blue house came into view.  We were all laughing when we got back - amused by everything that had happened.  

While Cayla took a shower, I went to get water with Sr. Vero.  My buddy Dominic came along.  He is the same age as John, so I think that’s why I like him so much.  Sr. Vero spoke to him in their language, and told me that he was so happy to have joined us on the hike.  Dominic ran into his house showing his dad the sticker I gave him.  Sr. and I filled a few water jugs at the spigot.  On the walk back in the dark, people were expecting us since they saw us on our trip to the water spigot.  I was prepared with dobogi (goodnight).  To my surprise and amusement, the young children were waiting on the verandah and said goodnight in English.  It was funny and exciting that both sides were eager to communicate in the other language. 

I took the most glorious cold shower and scrubbed my dirty clothing.  We ate the freshest dinner I have every had - fish from the market, papaya just picked from Sr. Vero’s tree, breadfruit, and green vegetables.  The three of us made a racket recounting our day and all the funny things that happened.  We said evening prayers together and cleaned up.  Every night I think this, but today was one of the best days of my life.  I’m sad that tomorrow is my last day in Visale.  There are still so many things to do, people to meet, and mountains to climb here.  I will have to make the most of tomorrow and be super efficient so that I can complete the library!  

The Work Begins

Monday, July 23, 2012

Sr. Vero, Cayla, and I woke up for 6:15 mass this morning.  The church is just across the road, and coincidentally, it is Sacred Heart Church - the same name as my church in Merrick.  It feels like home on the other side of the world.  It was still dark outside when mass began, and there is no electricity in the church.  The readers and the priest used a flashlight so they could deliver the readings.  When we left the church, Visale was bright with sunlight.  We walked through the wet grass back home for breakfast. I can’t get enough of the pineapple and watermelon.  Several people gave Sr. Vero pineapples to welcome us, so they are all over the house.  

Sr. Vero took Cayla and me to the secondary school, where I will be helping for the next few days.  I sat in on the teachers’ assembly, followed by the students’ assembly.  Sr. Vero had Cayla and I introduce ourselves to the students.  The head boy then welcomed us on behalf of his classmates, and we were presented with a gift.  Two girls brought in exquisite and fragrant leis, composed of yellow and white flowers.  I wore mine all day.  I am constantly overwhelmed by the welcoming, hospitable nature of the Solomon culture.  I hope that I can bring this aspect of the Solomon people home with me.  After the assembly, I observed and assisted in a Form 4 English class.  

I had a break following the lesson, and was chatting with a teacher about the room full of donated books that they are planning to turn into a library.  The principal contacted a neighboring school, hoping their librarian could come organize the books.  I said I would gladly help organize the books and make a system for borrowing so the students could utilize the materials.  The staff was so excited that I could help with this project because they have no idea how to go about it.  They unlocked the room, and I got to work by myself.  It was really a sad sight.  Two large bookshelves filled with dusty books randomly thrown on the shelf.  Rat droppings were all over everything and spiderwebs were thick in the dark corners of the room.  I started going through, book by book, and sorting them into piles.  It took a very long time to look through it all.  I took a lunch break with Cayla and Sr. Vero to relax for a little while and get hydrated.  When I returned to the soon to be library, I continued the job.  

By 3:30, I needed to escape the dust and rat droppings.  Rain began to pour, but I decided to go for a swim anyway.  Under my umbrella, I walked across the road, down to the beach.  I followed the shore for a little while and stuck my clothes under a tree in the hopes that they would stay dry.  Two young boys followed at a distance.  We waved to each other and they immediately started giggling.  While I was swimming around, I saw the two darting around in the trees and sand.  My first instinct was “oh no.  They’re going to take my clothes and I’ll have to run through the village with my bathing suit on while everyone is watching out their window.”  Luckily, I was just paranoid.  I swam in and they escorted me back.  The boys, Dominic and Tony, were so cute but there was definitely a mischievous air to their grins.  I was happy to make two new friends.  

I showered at the house and helped Sr. Vero prepare dinner.  I made omelets for the three of us.  Sr. Vero has never had one, so it was exciting to share with her one of my favorite meals.  I went a little overboard since there were so many fresh vegetables to choose from, but it turned out to be a success.  

We prayed evening prayers together, and made intentions especially for my brother John on his birthday.  Then we headed to bed early.  Since there is no electricity, we do everything by the sun.  I’m glad that I can help set up the school’s library.  I am bursting with ideas of how I can set up the room.  Sr. Vero will take me to town tomorrow so I can by some necessary supplies to get things going.  

Arrival in Visale

Sunday, July 22, 2012

Cayla and I woke up early to prepare a thank you breakfast for Sr. Catie and Sr. Stephanie.  We had to work with the ingredients in the cabinet and decided that french toast and fruit was feasible.  Cayla and I had a good system going and soon the table was laden with platters of french toast, chopped bananas, pineapple, watermelon, and tea.  They had never tried french toast before and enjoyed it.  We cleaned up together and were ready for morning mass.  Cayla and I went to the chapel at 8:00 and sat waiting for the service to begin.  The chapel is beautiful and exemplifies their culture.  There are no walls in the chapel and mural behind the altar is vibrant.  The students soon filed in, and a few girls we met yesterday sat down next to us.  The mass was unlike anything I’ve ever experienced.  Most prayers are sung, and everyone participates.  The sound of hundreds of voices and a guitar filled the air and gave me chills.  It was an exquisite was to worship.  The young children squeezed onto the front benches and we adorable.

After mass, Cayla and I spent some time in the clinic with Sr. Catie while we waited for Sr. Vero to pick us up.  Sr. Catie is so entertaining and I grew to love her more every minute.  When Sr. Vero came, we hurried to pack our things in the car because we had to leave quickly.  There was a forecast of heavy rain and the roads to Visale often flood so we had to beat the weather.  Although Solomon Island time is slow, our goodbye to Sr. Catie and Sr. Stephanie was quick and we were off again.  We stopped at the other Dominican house in Panatina to bring Sr. Leonie home.  Cayla and I had a quick lunch there and were on our way to Visale.  The weather predictions were luckily inaccurate, and it was a beautiful afternoon.  The road to our new home wound around the edge of the island.  Wide-eyed, I had a spectacular view of the ocean from the car.  The government is repairing many of the small bridges, so we detoured several times through water channels, and did serious off-roading.  

Sr. Vero brought us to her house across the road from the school and clinic.  The other teachers live in the surrounding houses with their families.  We emptied the car then jumped right back in to visit her family.  Sr. Vero grew up in Visale and it seems like she’s related to everybody.  First, she brought us to the place she grew up.  It looked like a place found on the cover of National Geographic.  Right on the water, there is a crystal clear view of the ocean and mountains of Visale.  We met her cousin and her nieces and nephews before dunking in the tropical-temperature ocean.  There was a lot of reef, dead and alive that goes out from shore for hundreds of meters.  I wish I had brought my snorkel, but I did what I could opening my eyes under water.  The water was shallow all around so I paddled about, looking at deep blue starfish, coral with brilliant purple flecks, and some other interesting creatures I made sure I didn’t disturb.  Sr. Vero called to us from down the beach and waved us over.  We gathered our bags and joined her.  Sr. Vero’s cousin had set up a table with a bouquet of flowers on the beach so we could relax and eat fresh fruit.  It was so kind of her, and I was overwhelmed once again by the hospitality of the people here.  Sr. Vero’s nieces and nephews timidly came over and shared the food with us.  Then we learned they had a surprise.  Cayla and I closed our eyes and a necklace was tied around our necks.  The kids were giggling and embarrassed because they do not speak English and because they rarely see white people.  Cayla and I were so happy and speechless at their thoughtfulness.  

We said farewell and went to a village where Sr. Vero’s cousins live together.  It is an unbelievable set up - behind the gate are several huts with grass roofs fifteen steps away from the beach.  The kids were chomping on coconuts, the babies skipping around naked, and hammocks were hung from the trees.  This is the way to live.  We drank tea and ate dinner in this paradise.  Sr. Vero taught us a special way to cut pineapple, so Cayla and I will attempt it tomorrow.  

After meeting the head nurse at the clinic and the priest at the church, Cayla and I took refreshing showers using the spigot of cold water underneath the house.  Sr. Vero led us in evening prayer as we sat around a small shrine in her home.  We bombarded her with questions about life as a Dominican sister, and she happily answered.  We shared stories and laughed before heading to bed.  Solar energy is used in the house, so electricity is sparsely used at night.  We have flashlights available, but we will be rising and setting with the sun.  Today was one of the most incredible days of my life - the people are wonderful and the atmosphere is breathtaking.  It is a such a blessing to be here!