Going back to site after my super long vacation was easier than I thought. It felt like I was going home in a way, because it’s where my life is (stuff, friends, job…). I don’t have too much to share, but I’ll give a short update.
I am no longer teaching this year, so I’ve been able to spend all my time training teachers. This has given me more freedom to travel around my island and to other islands to work at other schools. It’s made the last few months fly by. I enjoy the change. I think I would be unhappy doing the same thing as last year.
For those of you who are curious as to how I feel this year compared to last year, the change is phenomenal. My first year was really difficult, although it was easy to write in letters and e-mails that I was having a great time and because I’m optimistic I always put a positive spin on everything. It literally took me a full year to adjust and I’m still adjusting, it never ends. I thought two years was long, but now I’m realizing it’s probably not enough time. The first year no one knew anything about me and I was apprehensive in sharing certain things. I didn’t know how to balance being myself and the responsible volunteer that everyone expected me to be. Everyone was always watching me and I felt a bit suffocated. This year has been a little different. I’ve let my guard down and no long care too much whether I’m doing the right thing or not. I’ve started sharing dance with my students and people in the community. I started a hip-hop class at school and a country line dancing club with some girls in the community. Hip-hop and country line dancing are not exactly my specialty, but I make it up as I go along.
This past week I visited some friends on the island of Pentecost. South Pentecost is known for their land diving and custom villages. I was able to see both. Land diving is a custom done during the months of yam harvesting. A man in a namba and with vines tied around his ankles jumps head first off a rickety tower into a pile of dirt. It was cool and I think can be seen on the travel channel if anyone is interested. I also visited Bunlap, a custom village where the women still wear grass skirts and the men wear nambas (leaves or a small mat wrapped around their…). There is a show called Tribal Life on the travel channel that is filmed in Bunlap if anyone is interested in seeing it.
This week I’m in Vila for our annual all volunteer conference. It’s at Iriki resort again. Swimming, hot tubs, hot showers, comfortable bed, and the best part a washer and dryer!
I'm on my way to see Tanna Island. There is a very active volcano there (supposedly with lava shooting out) and as long they agree it's safe to go up I'm going to go see it.
It’s weird to be in my last 6 months of service and thinking about what my next step in life will be. I have lots of options (grad school, getting a job, traveling, extending another year…) but just choosing the best one is on my mind constantly. Hopefully something will push me a direction. We’ll see.
Hope all is well. I miss everyone and look forward to hearing from you!