Hi! I am in Vanuatu right now, Port Vila to be exact. It is wonderful here. We got off the plane feeling like celeberties – many of the volunteers and staff were there to greet us and were cheering when we got off. In the airport, we waited in a long line but we were very entertained by exciting live music and dance. Then when we stepped outside the airport, the other volunteers “layed” us with gorgeous lays made out of real flowers and leaves. They smelled amazing. Then they wrapped lava lavas around us (big skirts) and handed us a coconut to drink the milk out of. We were able to see a tour of Port Vila, which is beautiful, but very different from anything I’ve ever seen in America. I love it here. I tried the potent drink of Kava the first night I was here. There are about 60 Kava bars in Port Vila and they are identified by a light outside of them. Kava was like I pictured cloudy, greenish, and it tastes kinda like grass. It numbs your tongue and lips immediately. I tried a half bowl the first night and a full bowl the second night. I definitely felt it the second. It make you feel very sedated. Kava bars are very mellow and chill. You take your bowl, find a private spot, drink it as fast as you can and then spit. The taste is unforgettable….Then you just sit and chat with people.
Oh - If you send a package, never let it cost over 100$ between postage and the stuff in it. When you write what is in the package and how much it costs…it is ok to fib a little. Religious/educational materials works.
Today I started my first day of training. It was a long day, but we covered a lot. All of the afternoon was spent on medical training - we have a total of 50 hours of medical training. All so you are able to pretty much treat yourself when you go out to your village. It's crazy - I feel like I'm learning soo much!
The rest of the week is all training. Sunday we go to our village Lelapa and I will be there for 3 months for cross cultural and language training. During that time, I won't have any access to phones or computers - only snail mail.
I hope all is well back home. I miss you all!!
Oh - If you send a package, never let it cost over 100$ between postage and the stuff in it. When you write what is in the package and how much it costs…it is ok to fib a little. Religious/educational materials works.
Today I started my first day of training. It was a long day, but we covered a lot. All of the afternoon was spent on medical training - we have a total of 50 hours of medical training. All so you are able to pretty much treat yourself when you go out to your village. It's crazy - I feel like I'm learning soo much!
The rest of the week is all training. Sunday we go to our village Lelapa and I will be there for 3 months for cross cultural and language training. During that time, I won't have any access to phones or computers - only snail mail.
I hope all is well back home. I miss you all!!
posted by Valerie Selden @ 7:10 PM
1 Comments:
At 10:45 AM,
Erin said…
Valerie, It sounds like you are having a blast and the fears seem to have died down a little. Like Rob said in another blog you have done more than some people will do in a whole life time. I am glad that you followed your heart and mind to do this. I had the wierdest dream last night that you forgot stuff at home and the peace corp sent you home. They said that you couldnt complete your mission because you forgot stuff. I think you forgot some of your luggage or something!! HEHEH only a dream tho! Take lots of pictures and keep the blogs coming. I love to hear about what you are doing. It still hasnt hit me that you are gone. I will write snail mail soon.
XOOXOXOXOOXOXO Miss you lots, Erin-
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