I have now been in FSM for just about two weeks, though it seems like it's been much longer because of all that I have learned being here! Micronesians have many rich cultures and histories across the four states and it is so exciting to be a part of it!
One of the local Peace Corps staff was training my Peace Corps class (M*76!) on behavior and cultural tradition: Pohnpeians have a tendency to throw trash to the side of the road when they are finished with it, and waste management is a major issue here in Pohnpei. On the surface, this looks like a bad habit, but it comes from the tradition of using natural materials to contain food, such as palm branch baskets--which are still used extensively, or coconut shells. These things when thrown out would simply biodegrade and nourish the soil, rather than polluting the land. Well, it is my opinion that the Micronesians have the right idea. It's just too bad that banana trees don't grow in Chicago--those leaves make excellent platters for family feasts.
Eating locally grown foods is also a major movement in FSM--with the introduction of conveniently canned, imported foods, many people have chosen this route as an easier way to put food on the table, but a diet of Spam and rice is not the most nutritious, so organizations are promoting the much healthier local diet of breadfruit, coconut, taro, yam, fish, and 15 different kinds of banana!
I would just like to put the challenge out to all to try one thing that will allow you to live a little more simply, save a tree, save a fish, love your home!
****
In other news, I received my permanent site placement: I will be in a mountain community on the main island of Pohnpei: no electricity, but indoor plumbing! My mailing address will be the one I've already given to you all, so please write! Love to all and stay tuned for more to come from Pohnpei . . .
Friday, September 18, 2009
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Landed at Last!
Kaselelie! (Greetings in Pohnpeian)
After traveling from Chicago to L.A., L.A. to Honolulu, and Honolulu to Majuro, Kwajelein, and Kosrae, we finally landed on beautiful Pohnpei to a receiving line of beaming Peace Corps staff and current volunteers. Each of us received a marmar, or headdress of beautiful local flowers. Shortly after we arrived, we were blessed with a quick rain shower--a good omen in Pohnpei.
We spent our first evening exploring the main street of Kolonia, the largest town in FSM where you can find places like Wall Mart and open air storefronts, locally made appliqued skirts, and restaurants which serve a combination of local, American, and Japanese fare.
This morning I had a delicious breakfast of tuna omelette, then headed to the Peace Corps office where I was delighted to find from the local coordinators that a sewing club would be much appreciated wherever I am posted and that my theatre background will be very useful for teaching ESL! I have a lot to look forward to!
The remainder of our weekend included a few hours of training in culture, safety, and what to expect for the next few days and weeks and time to get to know one another (the volunteers and PC staff)--lots of volleyball, card games (cribbage!) and sitting around just "being" together. Monday morning (when all of the shops were again open after observing the day of rest), we all cleaned out the few shops in town of local skirts and stamps to write home! This afternoon we head to our training site, a rural community an hour outside of Kolonia. All the Peace Corps volunteers from the previous two years have said how beautiful this community is, so I cannot wait to see it!
After traveling from Chicago to L.A., L.A. to Honolulu, and Honolulu to Majuro, Kwajelein, and Kosrae, we finally landed on beautiful Pohnpei to a receiving line of beaming Peace Corps staff and current volunteers. Each of us received a marmar, or headdress of beautiful local flowers. Shortly after we arrived, we were blessed with a quick rain shower--a good omen in Pohnpei.
We spent our first evening exploring the main street of Kolonia, the largest town in FSM where you can find places like Wall Mart and open air storefronts, locally made appliqued skirts, and restaurants which serve a combination of local, American, and Japanese fare.
This morning I had a delicious breakfast of tuna omelette, then headed to the Peace Corps office where I was delighted to find from the local coordinators that a sewing club would be much appreciated wherever I am posted and that my theatre background will be very useful for teaching ESL! I have a lot to look forward to!
The remainder of our weekend included a few hours of training in culture, safety, and what to expect for the next few days and weeks and time to get to know one another (the volunteers and PC staff)--lots of volleyball, card games (cribbage!) and sitting around just "being" together. Monday morning (when all of the shops were again open after observing the day of rest), we all cleaned out the few shops in town of local skirts and stamps to write home! This afternoon we head to our training site, a rural community an hour outside of Kolonia. All the Peace Corps volunteers from the previous two years have said how beautiful this community is, so I cannot wait to see it!
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