Halo -
Today I bought a set of snorkeling gear...the flippers, mask and the snorkel. There is excellent snorkeling in Lelapa - I can't wait. I've been told that sharks don't bother you too much there - so hopefully I'll be fine! I also purchased my first island dress today - a "mother hubbard" It's cute! and a cotton Lava lava. A Ni-Vanuatu woman showed me all the different ways I can tie it - it's so pretty!
We broke up into language groups today for Bislama and began to learn all of the grammar and key phrases. It is so much fun! I practiced it today when I went to the market. I can't wait to become fluent in it.
I am still getting used to island time. Everything takes much longer here. I'm used to busy body New Yorkers. For all of you who know how busy I am normally - you'd be happy to hear that I am becoming much more relaxed. Patience is the number one thing Americans learn in Vanuatu.
Although I have only been gone for about a week. I feel like I've been here for a month. It's crazy how time feels. I am considering buying a guitar here. One of the older volunteers said he'd be willing to teach me. Every plays guitar here - so I am excited to learn. (Dad I may put it on my credit card for a early birthday present) The island guitars are cheaper - I should be able to get one for about 40$.
Oh I forgot the craziest thing I got buy today. A bush knife!! It's huge - at least to me. I look funny holding it. It's about 2 inches long and it's kinda heavy. I am not sure what to use it for. I hear they are the only thing that kills the massive centipedes I will encounter on the outer islands. I have also been warned about the rats, massive spiders (recommended to keep to get rid of the mosquitos), and cockroaches. I am a little anxious.
Oh - and Lelapa is the island survivor was filmed on. So we will see the beach that it was filmed on - pretty cool!
To check out pictures my friend chris has taken some amazing shots of everyone and everything. His link is the the side of this. "group 19B's experience in vanuatu"
Lastly - I wanted to let you know that you can e-mail me when I'm in Lelapa and peace corps will print out the e-mails for me and give them to me during training over the next two months. Just make the subject Valerie Selden
e-mail - volunteer@vu.peacecorps.gov
Tank yu tumas! (Thank you very much)
Lots of love from the islands - Ale tata (bye)
Today I bought a set of snorkeling gear...the flippers, mask and the snorkel. There is excellent snorkeling in Lelapa - I can't wait. I've been told that sharks don't bother you too much there - so hopefully I'll be fine! I also purchased my first island dress today - a "mother hubbard" It's cute! and a cotton Lava lava. A Ni-Vanuatu woman showed me all the different ways I can tie it - it's so pretty!
We broke up into language groups today for Bislama and began to learn all of the grammar and key phrases. It is so much fun! I practiced it today when I went to the market. I can't wait to become fluent in it.
I am still getting used to island time. Everything takes much longer here. I'm used to busy body New Yorkers. For all of you who know how busy I am normally - you'd be happy to hear that I am becoming much more relaxed. Patience is the number one thing Americans learn in Vanuatu.
Although I have only been gone for about a week. I feel like I've been here for a month. It's crazy how time feels. I am considering buying a guitar here. One of the older volunteers said he'd be willing to teach me. Every plays guitar here - so I am excited to learn. (Dad I may put it on my credit card for a early birthday present) The island guitars are cheaper - I should be able to get one for about 40$.
Oh I forgot the craziest thing I got buy today. A bush knife!! It's huge - at least to me. I look funny holding it. It's about 2 inches long and it's kinda heavy. I am not sure what to use it for. I hear they are the only thing that kills the massive centipedes I will encounter on the outer islands. I have also been warned about the rats, massive spiders (recommended to keep to get rid of the mosquitos), and cockroaches. I am a little anxious.
Oh - and Lelapa is the island survivor was filmed on. So we will see the beach that it was filmed on - pretty cool!
To check out pictures my friend chris has taken some amazing shots of everyone and everything. His link is the the side of this. "group 19B's experience in vanuatu"
Lastly - I wanted to let you know that you can e-mail me when I'm in Lelapa and peace corps will print out the e-mails for me and give them to me during training over the next two months. Just make the subject Valerie Selden
e-mail - volunteer@vu.peacecorps.gov
Tank yu tumas! (Thank you very much)
Lots of love from the islands - Ale tata (bye)
posted by Valerie Selden @ 7:49 PM
3 Comments:
At 2:31 AM,
Jacque said…
Hey Val, It sounds like you are haviing a great time, and that your adjusting pretty well, enjoy your snorkeling, and take lots of pictures, take care of yourself. miss ya lots ~ Jacque
At 12:45 AM,
Robyn said…
Hey Val - We are just catching up on all your postings! Thanks for taking the time to write all of us and let us know all your adventures. We have had a busy week with Stefan's Party, Ketan's Wedding, Matthew visting from England with his girlfriend, and we took Stefan into NYC for his first visit, we went to the Natural History Museum...and now Stefan has been sick for the past 2 days with a very high fever again...I guess it's going around his school. He had fun at his B-Day party though which was great! We'll send some photos! It sounds like you are having a great time and learning so much!!! It's wonderful that you like all the other volunteers in your group - that is so important! I hope you see this before you are off to the next Island! We love you!! Robyn, Kiril, and Stefan
At 1:45 AM,
Sarah said…
Hi Val!
I was just catching up on your blogs! It sounds like you've been super busy, but in a different way than you're used to. I am so proud of you and am happy to hear that you're having a good experience. You'll have to take pictures of the Survivor island for my dad! hehe Love you lots! You will be getting a package from me very soon almost birthday girl! ;)
Love,
Sarah
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