Pete in Vanuatu - Port Vila

So here begins the retelling of an unforgettably special two weeks in Vanuatu. It all started on December 17th. I had been in Vila for two weeks participating in two different workshops run by Peace Corps. the first was about designing, applying for funding for and the implementation of projects in our communities and the second was about disaster risk and reduction. The workshops were great especially because we were able to bring a counterpart along to learn everything with us. I brought my host dadi to the first one because he has been leading the charge on the water project for the last few years and knows more about it than anyone else. For the second one I brought one of my Antis, Ella. She's a cute little firecracker of a mama with a big smile and lots of energy. during both of the workshops we learned a lot that we'll be bringing back to the village once I return from Vila at the end of January.

After the workshops ended I had a few days of relaxing in Vila before Pete arrived and I was whisked away into a whirlwind of cross cultural adventure. The morning of Pete's arrival I had a few things on my to-do list: buy a green coconut so Pete may quench his thirst immediately upon arrival and be welcomed in the fashion that I was first welcomed into this country, find a salu salu (custom lei) made out of real flowers and try to make it until 2:40pm without my head exploding with excitement.

First task, operation green coconut, was easy. I headed over to the mama's market and to the area where Maureen said is best for buying coconuts and grabbed a nice big one for about 40 cents. Then, I went to the Peace Corps office and asked everyone where I could get a salu salu made with real flowers. The chinese shops sell lots of plastic leis but my honey deserves only the best for flying across the world to see me so those just wouldn't do. Luckily Mama Lini who works in the office was glad to help out, I just had to go ask the security guard to steal some frangepanis from the tree next door and she would sew up the salu salu. When it was time to head to the airport it worked out that one of the office staff was going to the airport too so I jumped in his truck with a few other volunteers also heading to the airport. We were all on separate missions--picking up a package, sending off a volunteer finishing their service and greeting a numbawan boyfriend. It was extra lucky that Rodney was going to the airport because he was able to capture this gem for us.

Once we were out of the airport and through the sea of ignorant white people we headed to motel hot biscuits and dropped off our bags. While it was Pete's first night in Vanuatu it was also Maureen's last so this squad here headed to Shefa nakamal for some kava firsts and lasts. After kava I dragged Pete over to the Brewery so he could tell me if the food was actually as good as I claim it to be or if I've had on blinders every time I come into town and rush over for a Za. He claims it was actually tasty so ten points to me. I had a little white truffle oil let over from what Dane gave me so we enjoyed the last of it together with our wedge fries. After dinner we went back to hot biscuits for an early sleep so we could be ready for our 5am trip to the airport and 7am flight to Malekula. A quick 12 hours in Vila and Pete was on his way to island life!

When flying to Malekula I've never stopped at any other islands becuase the flight is usually direct. However, Pete and I were lucky enough to be able to stop over on Ambrym and fly over an immensely active volcano. You can see here the red dot in the middle...that's lava constantly flowing out of a small vent into a large pool of lava. I know my lingo is pretty technical so I apologize....


Once we landed on Malekula we headed into town to buy some veggies and other supplies for our time at my site. There weren't too many trucks in town so it was a bit stressful finding one that could take us. Eventually we found one that was pretty empty and we on our way to Matanvat by 11am, the earliest I've ever left for site, by far. It was a bumpy, dusty ride but eventually we arrived in Matanvat to a big welcome from my host family and of course this sign I made in the house.

Stay tuned for our adventures in Matanvat and beyond!