My sister just left this past weekend and I was sad to see her go. She had a real “bush” experience on Gaua for a week and a half and finished it off with an amazing island massage in Port Vila. Her impressions of my life were funny and I haven’t laughed so hard since I was home last year. She was mortified by my idea of hygiene. I guess the pit toilet and the fact that I bathe, do my dishes and laundry in or using the salt water, and a zillion people using the same glass over and over to drink juice because there is only one was a bit disturbing to her. She also was terrified of the monster spiders, irritated by the flies and mosquitoes, and was ready to not be woken up by crowing roosters, grunting pigs, and screaming kids by the time she left. Sounds like she had a rough experience, but I think she enjoyed it once she adjusted. She came to school with me everyday and absolutely loved watching my student’s bashful personalities. My village welcomed her with a large feast featuring fresh fish, 2 kinds of lap lap, boiled kumala and yams, and chicken soup (she got to witness the chicken being hunted, killed, and prepared). They “laid” her with beautiful flowers and serenaded her with a few church songs. She tried and enjoyed most of the custom food, although I think the portion sizes were a bit too much for her. I’m used to the portion sizes now, but I guess that must be why everyone calls me “fat-fat” at least once a day. She thought that was hilarious where as I am incredibly embarrassed by their “compliments.” We went on a two day bush hike. Unfortunately the first day it rained the entire day. But on the upside we both got to hike a volcano for the first time. The volcano on Gaua has 6 holes, but only one is active. We practically fell over coughing from all the smoke as we were trying to look into the live hole. Day two we spent hiking to the gorgeous waterfall (not justified by any of her photos). I think that by the end she had adjusted fairly well and enjoyed the experience. Her favorite part was how generous and kind Ni-Vanuatu people are. She felt a bit like a celebrity, because people kept coming up to her and shaking her hand and giving her food. She enjoyed all the attention. I wish she could have stayed, but it looks like I’m coming home for Christmas, so I won’t have to wait too long to see her again. I miss you all and hope all is well. Looking forward to seeing many of you around Christmas.