week 53 - G27 in Santo

(30) Monday

I returned from Malo working on secondary project taking the early morning boat. I rushed into the NDMO office and checked in with my counterpart. But there was not much for me to do unfortunately.

I went into town and had a chicken wrap sandwhich. Same as before great. I had been coming down with a cold. I guess that is normal when you get 69 plus Peace Corps cooped up in one place for weeks at time, we handed off our island sicknesses to each other.

I mostly unpacked my stuff, killed the huge cockroaches and took the rotten meat out of my powered off fridge. Smelled like death. Cleaning that was not much of a joy but its done. There are still flies in there I must be missing one piece of rot. Have to give it once over again.

I ran out to the wharf at the request of Anthone to book a boat to Malo for a IT show on the secondary project. It's not like there is a booking agent waiting to place orders. I had to wait for people to come and go and ask each one if they would take us out there. I found one guy -Sandy- that was willing to go. I took his number down and not knowing how much it will cost or anything decided to let the Admins take care of the rest of the details.

(31) Tuesday

I helped a little today with NDMO loading a truck with some food aid going to Vila.

It was light work there were like 40 ni-vans and 3 white people -myself, Daria and Kate both VSA vols. Handing piles of food took only a hour or so but I had to run into town to meet up with Solo/Anthone to give them info about the boat ride out to Nandiutu tomorrow. I hope it works out.

Again pretty tired and sick. I went home to sleep. Again thankful for a powerful speakers to drown out the crying baby next door. I should have blasted music to cover up the murderously loud packs of dogs. I think they murdered one rival dog member. I heard some powerful shrieking at 3am.

Tried to find a replace hard drive for an ancient thinkpad... 15 years old = what is the point fixing it.

Well... not much else is really going on.

April (01) Wednesday

I took the IT vols over to Malo to show them my site. Grace kept making a joke that we spent 3 hours on a boat to visit the site for 20 minutes. Not sure that is all that shocking to me. Beside there was not much to look at it... it is a work site because the work is not done.

In 3-4 months the site will be completed, with book shelves full of new-ish book and a computer lab with N-Computing stations 12 with one server. Not sure if we will have internet or not. That would be nice.

After the long day I went to the hotel the vols were at and swapped some data files. I only took one file.50 shades.

Wish I knew why blogger won't let me upload any new images anymore... I like having picture or two posted. SUCKS.

(02) Thursday

I returned to Malo/Ratua and started organizing a plan for the week. They picked up a 10 Liter bucket of undercoat paint. That was critical. Wish we had that to begin with.

Most of the day was a wash again waiting at the codk for 4-5 hours tends to kill the motivation. But the sunset was beautiful and I watched 50 shades of grey... It was not a terrible movie as some said it would be.

The majority of the data was Tim Harding's data folder of software that I never used or never worked. Hope they have better luck with it.

(03) Friday

After a fantastic breakfast of coffee, whole milk, rolls and an omelette I went over to Malo / Ninditu village and hauled over the 6 person desk and supplies. I patched the holes in the main room and painted the lab with the white undercoat.

It took about 6 hours to get everything done... plan to return tomorrow with a ladder and pole to paint the big room.

When I returned to Ratua they fed me some amazing food and life is great. Best project ever.

I am sure I missed out one some of the fun in Santo with all the volunteers being there... but the fact that I can do actual work something I have been dying for basically for 6 months it is too hard to pass up. Plus the food here on the island is fantastic so yeah I passed on going to a blue hole that I have been to 15 times or so. It is all good. They swam and stuff. I painted and moved furniture. Win win.

(04) Saturday

Planning to return to Ninditu today after breakfast. Then work till midday and then take the afternoon or night boat back to santo.

I promised to meet up with a vol tomorrow so I will keep my promise.

Here if they upload are some photos of the work I did at the lab/library:

(05) Sunday

Returned to Santo / Luganville... now I have no idea what to do. Good news I did not lose my watch. Was worried it was a gonner.

Might try and hit a blue hole today with some Peace Corps ppl.

Boat ride home:

Well my friend did not wait for me so I took the boat ride home for nothing. Guess that means when push comes to shove I can't rely on that person. If someone tried to make me hurry up and abandon my friend I would tell them to go f* himself. When I make a promise I wait for my friends. Is that harsh... maybe I dunno.

There was a lovely BBQ though later and I had fun. One friend of mine was being relentlessly flirt assaulted by americans... pretty funny since she mostly hates Americans. Good luck with that youngfallas.

They have a pool table at HQ now. I love it. Even though they have the tiny tiny pool balls the game was fun. They really need to get chalk and hand chalk too.. How can you play a decent game without that stuff.

week 52 - The Return to Service

(23) Monday

I can't fully recall what I did on Monday. Most likely I hung out with Grace and Kelly. Two awesome people. Might have been Nicole or Bryan and Kate and Kirk too... who knows the week flew by.


(24) Tuesday

A restless night = meeting a bunch of rappers from america and talking to them about doing a charity fundraiser for the disaster relief for Vanuatu. This was their concert info. Mike why did you not talk to them about the disaster?

STRAIGHT OUTTA COMPTON - AUSTRALIAN TOUR

From the World Class Wreckin' Cru & Co-founder of the world's most dangerous group N.W.A we bring you - 

DJ YELLA of NWA 

Supported by:
Curtis Young aka 'Hood Surgeon' The Son of Legendary Dr Dre Eazy-E3 aka 'Baby Eazy-E' The Son of the Godfather of Rap 'Eric EAZY-E Wright'. Spice 1 - West Coast Veteran Tha Alkaholiks aka Tha Liks -

DJ Yella is the stage name of Antoine Carraby, a DJ, music producer, and film director from Compton, California. He was a member of the World Class Wreckin' Cru along with Dr. Dre. He later became a founding member of the pioneering gangsta rap group N.W.A (comprised of Yella, Dre, Ice Cube, MC Ren, and Eazy-E). Along with Dre, he produced Eazy-E's debut album Eazy-Duz-It and all three N.W.A albums.. ..  

Lic A/A  Doors 7 pm

(25) Wednesday

Make the leap and bought a d750 camera... whew it is beautiful. I love this camera. Photos will be flowing from this beast for the rest of my service.

(26) Thursday

We made our return flight to Port Vila from Sydney. It was an all day deal, leaving for the airport at 7am and waiting in the check in for a few hours. Then the mad rush of trying to get my tax return on my computer/electronic purchase. It was stressful and I won't know if it is successful for weeks or months.

The airport was the last chance to indulge on decadent things, food, drinks and fun items. I hope I made the right choices because that was the last gasp of having that kind of fun.

It is good though I was going through cash like a honey badger attacking a cash of honey. Hope am I going to pay for it all... whew. Oh well you only live once.

(27) Friday

I joined Bryan and Kate on the flight back to Santo/Luganville on this date. I was really happy to leave most of the G26ers in Vila and join my close friends (Bryan/Kate/Sam) on Santo and new G27 friends on Santo. I miss the 5 good friends and 5 I was starting to get to know... in Vila and they know who they are so why bother listing.

Disappearing is what I do best around my group but I seem to always hit it off with every group other than mine... thank goodness too being alone the entire time would not be much fun. All the trainee's are up in Luganville. I am not sure how much I will see them since I am back to working on the secondary project as scheduled. This is a relief because being idle is not very interesting. And being in sydney was very much an idle time.

(28) Saturday

I am now back at Malo and working on painting and building the computer lab and library. I could be having fun with the vols but I am here to work not just have fun. I hope to see them a bit during the week. Enjoy Santo G27.

(29) Sunday

Time to start painting... nice breakfast finis and here we go. Last night rain played a little gentle tune on the natengura roof.. much less abrasive than hearing rain on a tin roof, its nicer.

It's great being back everyone seems ten times more curious about me than when I was here the first time. I sat at the dock waiting for the boat for 6 hours and in that time I made at least 10 new friends. They asked me all the classic Ni-van questions... is that tattoo on your arm your wife, how old are you... are you worried that you are too old to get married because you're so old now that soon you will die. It was fun though. This time is seems more entertaining their curiosity. I even got asked the same question i have not heard since training, do you know Rocky or are you friends with Rambo. They think they are different people I think. It's great.

week 51 - Evacuated

March
(16) Monday

Went into town/Sydney with Bryan and Kate and Kirk explored the city.

(17) Tuesday

Worked on software with IT team at the staples HQ.

(18) Wednesday

Day we learned that we will be able to return to Vanuatu and continue our service.

(19) Thursday

I wake as normal way too early. My mind is full of ideas and my hands are idle. I am sitting in the hotel lobby trying to get my thoughts clear on the changed experience I will have in Vanuatu. Not sure how I feel about everything trying to figure that out. There is so many thoughts in my head these days.

(20) Friday

We went to town... had a few lovely IPA's and The food was amazing. The rain here was a light drizzle and it was almost chilly. I MISS the cold. I like being in a hoodie... and there are so many beautiful pierced and inked up people that it makes me miss my hometown and all the Soap Factory Creeps. Ahh... I think we need to get out of here before we get too used to Developed world culture making returning to sweating, bugs, cold showers and all the hardships that are not that big a deal after a few weeks to adjust to. I am  getting my hair styled on Monday by a really cute Married French girl that has such a sweet accent.

Hm... the IT folks are playing a nice game of code and seek... hardware is hard to find for our software solution...

and I am hopeful to see a show at the opera house. Everything is awesome in Sydney. Except I have a Peace corps paycheck which means I am going broke fast.

(21) Saturday

Today it is cloudy... I am likely to head into town again and hit the museums. Michael wants to develop software. I am not sure that is my main objective since we are here for a small glimmer of time. I want to take advantage of being in this amazing city.

Ate a great breakfast and now I am going to go walk around a bit.

Week 50 - Cyclone Pam

March (09) Monday

Most of the day was dedicated to eating good food and relaxing. Started with lunch at Chill with these two goofballs: Kirk and Jonathan.

Then we ate at the brewery. Ten buck pizza night.

We are staying at the holiday inn tomorrow... Which is one of the nicer hotels in this country. They have a great buffet.

(10) Tuesday

Made it to the office early and sat in the AC and used the internet. I missed having good speed.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-03-11/cyclone-pam-strengthens-as-pacific-states-remain-on-alert/6300910



(11) Wednesday

We almost evacuated Efate yesterday for Samoa... but because the plane would not be able to hold all 70 Peace Corps we were informed to stay at the hotel and wait it the storm out.

It was pretty dramatic sitting at the airport listening to the C-130 Air Force captain talking to our staff member deciding our fate about if we stay or if we go. Staying is not bad. We have this amazing hotel that is strong and safe. I want to help with anything I can at the NDMO (National Disaster Management Office) with the call center or whatever is needed. My counterpart is back on Santo.

Who knows what is the level of destruction that is going to result in this cyclone. I have heard it is anywhere from a CAT 3 to a CAT 5. It was for a few days appearing to veer out into the Ocean between Fiji and Vanuatu. But Yesterday it turned and now is heading directly at Efate. I am not too scared at the moment but a Cat 5 cyclone is pretty destructive and it may result in massive destruction and loss of life. This nation had mostly custom build houses so it is ill equipped to handle the powerful winds and storm surge that will bast apart these flimsy homes.

(12) Thursday

I could not sleep as normal and woke up at 4am and since the lobby is less annoying to my roommate who is dead asleep... I got up and decided to work on writing in this blog and looking at the storms path/progres.

The Peace Corps is evacuating us to Sydney Australia today... heading to airport at noon... flight time 3:00pm.

(13) Friday

It is 6am and I had to run downstairs and check the weather report: http://www.cyclocane.com/
It gives the latest news on the cyclone...

I am worried that the nation of Vanuatu is being destroyed but lets hope it avoids being wiped off the map.


(15) Sunday

Sasha Cooper-Morrison

2 hrs

All - I am pleased to share the following letter to Vanuatu PCV/Ts from Ken Yamashita, Regional Director for the Inter-America and Pacific Region:
----------------------------
March 15, 2015
To the Peace Corps Vanuatu Volunteers:
It is hard to believe that it was only a few days ago that we were getting ready for you to stay at the Holiday Inn; and then the decision to move you to Sydney.
Please know that your safety and your volunteer service are foremost in our minds here at Peace Corps HQ. I give daily updates to the Director, Carrie Hessler-Radelet, and the senior staff; of course, there are additional, constant communications across all offices all day long.
I remember when I met many of you during my visit last year; I was so impressed by your creativity, passion, and commitment. Now that Cyclone Pam has passed, I would like to take full advantage of your energy. I imagine that amongst you there is great desire to get back to communities, to re-connect with families and counterparts.
So here is what we're doing:
1. Of course we're going to do everything possible to get you back as soon as practical to your sites, but it is not going to be easy. At this point we do not know if and when you will go back. We don't know when the airport will be open for commercial flights; we don't know the state of roads and other transportation routes, and we don't know the conditions in communities. We also don't know what will happen with law and order.
2. If and when you go back, what you will do once back in Vanuatu will likely be very different from what you were doing. It is likely you'll be involved with reconstruction efforts. In some cases, you may not be able to get back to your sites but you will be greatly appreciated anywhere.
3. In order to get you ready to go back, we are looking into resources available in Sydney to train in disaster response and reconstruction.
4. Finally, we are sending staff from Washington to provide support.
It is often said that in moments of crisis, leaders are born. You were professionals before, you are leaders now; you have shown resilience, professionalism, and maturity during these stressful times. What gives me hope and optimism at this point is knowing we have an amazing Volunteer community. Thank you for all you do.
Warmly,
Ken Yamashita, Regional Director for the Inter-America and Pacific Region

Week 49 - This time for real

March (02) Monday

This time for real I will get to Malo and work on the Nndiutu. I feel healthier than I did last week. I have my stuff ready tools and such... it will be great. Hardest thing now is waiting until the weekend that is when Isabelle returns and we will then go on it. Lets build a computer lab/library.

Today... I will head over to College Luganville and work on the SIS for record keeping. Then I will get some speakers from John Lum... and pick up some hi filet steaks. These are good things. I will pop into the office and see if anything is going on but I highly doubt anything is. I smashed a few big bugs that were crawling around in my house. All bugs must DIE.

4:oopm
Life is better with big loud I can't hear shit around me speakers... These bad boys will be going 24/7 until they burn out and I will love every minute of not being aware of the things around me. I found a sliver of salvation.

Other than that... I tried to help my old college out but they are not ready as usual. They say the data will be reandy of the week. I think it will be ready never. I did manage to teach how to use WIX editor to Rex which will if he tries make their college website contain content that is real. He said he gets it. Lets see if he does it.

Ok back to rocking and not hearing anything but lovely music. NO MORE BABIES!! NO MORE DOGS!!! WOOOHOO.

8:00pm

After playing and hacking my lungs out at Ultimate Frisbee I felt kinda better but tired too. I went home and cranked the music and that was awesome.

And then another weird thing occured. A guy appears at my window and asked me to look at his computer. I was kind of shocked but what the hell sure. He comes back with a 2012 27" Imac. I am shocked the dude has the money to pony up for that machine. Sadly he was hoping it was simple problem memory. He gave me some tools and chips and I swapped them out but I should have know it was more severe than memory.

Then the mormon neighbor guy's friend from New Zealand appeared and was in a talkative mood... So I talked with him a bit. Back to blasting music. This was probably the best purchase in country good speakers.

(03) Tuesday

I don't know why but I was tricked... last time by the school the academic admin at the college... he was like i don't have the data ready!! It made me give up too easily... I think he is an expert at delaying and confusing me to avoid work. Or he is of the belief that his spreadsheet magically matches one to one with the way ALMA sis works. It doesn't. He thinks that he needed to make all student data with their classes info in a excel. It does not work that way. There is no bulk insert of that info. I just need their names and grade level. Teachers create their classes and add their student to it... its a bottom up system not a top down hierarchical one. So today I will get the data I want and be done with it.

Then get some steaks and since my crappy peace corps nokia phone died so I will take out the sim and put it into my iphone 5s.  It lasted a year. That is pretty good for a five dollar phone. I hope my 1000 dollar iphone lasts longer.

9:31pm
Long weird day again. When to work nothing is going on there as normal. So I went to help at the college. They failed to get the information I wanted again. But I sort of expected that. Maybe we can put it together on Thursday. We'll see.

So I went to digicel to get my sim card cut to the micro iphone size... but of course they don't have a cutter. So I went to TVL their competitor and asked if they would cut my card. They put up a big fuss about cutting my card. It literally takes 2 second to punch the card so I can use the Peace corps SIM on my iphone. Without the peace sim card I am basically out of communication with my main group of people... I know this lady at TVL I worked with her a ton last year... she's like nope can't do it. You should get a TVL card.... I am like come on Its a peace corps calling thing they use digicel I can't change that. I am like in charge of their phone contracts. Please come on help me... I can't not have my phone work... She gave me a good hassle before performing the 2 second task of cutting the card. What a pain.

After that I was just shaking my head. I guess once upon a time in the USA when phone services were kill or be killed they would torture you like this about who your provider was but I mean when I had a TVL card in my phone it never helped me. It would only work on TVL numbers and that is like ancient phone wars techniques. You can only use our phone service to call our phone service people. Its ridiculous.

Then I went and got my laundry at Deco stop. They accidentally mixed up my clothing so I had to check if I have my stuff. They almost swapped two items. I miss having my own washing machine/dryer.

Finally I made some great steaks and mashed potatoes for Byran and Kate and we watched the Grand Budapest Hotel. Such a great movie. It was 97 degrees in my house today. I am really tired of the heat. It is like an evil creature sitting on you, drooling all night. Well here is to poor sleeping.

(04) Wednesday

So the crazy man that rapped a Peace Corps volunteer is out on bail and running around looking to find her again. He even sneaked around the HQ office in Vila and climbed up the "secure" stairway to see if could find her. Beware Peace Corps people near the office... this guy might attack you.

The legal system in this country basically does not work. Even when someone goes to prison in the "supermax", some escape by telling the guards they will cast black magic on them if they don't let them leave and some get out that way. At least one Peace Corps person told me that. Or you just wait a few months and you get released on bail, anyway as in the case of the rapist guy. It's sad.

Oh well back to work, I will try to ignore the horrible criminal stuff and focus on work.

10pm
Fixed my bathroom door today. Small projects are kind of fun. But I broke my favorite knife doing it. Should have just used the drill to dig out the lock hole. That was stupid of me.

Watched the people play ultimate frisbee... saving my energy to heal, saw no point running around and getting warn down. I have to work all weekend.

For tomorrow... the Alma SIS data won't be fully loaded by tomorrow which is too bad... I can setup some of the email addresses maybe. I wonder how hard this will be to get 30 gmail accounts ready.

Again happy I have a great speaker system to blow away the annoying nokemal music concert going on. I cannot hear them playing stupid stuff at all. I have my music BLASTING it's great. All Peace Corps should be issues out HUGE speakers. Life saver.

(05) Thursday

It's 3:31am and I cannot sleep as normal. It's just too hot or something. I worry about not having much more money left in my bank account. I have relied on my savings from years of working and building up a fat account. I used this reserves of money to survive living in Luganville because for me the Peace Corps stipend is not enough to make it month to month. On average I spend an extra 200-300 of my own money so I can eat what I want and live in a way that makes me happy. Except I am bleeding my account doing so.

Next few months will help though because it will be like I have a host family to feed me at the Malo site and I won't have any need for money on the weekends. That will save me a ton of money. It is one of the few lucky breaks I have had and am thankful for.

Man what  a day... it was mostly dull then I met up with Bryan and Kate... we biked to the airport and then went to DECO stop and swam. I had a decent milkshake I asked for two scoops... or it is just water... and then there was this ozzy in the pool a tourist he was fun to talk with.

After that. We ran into some baby docs. I was again charmed by them. I was supposed to go get food with the missionary family but they wanted to play cards so I sat with em and played 500 until I finally got the game again. Been a while since I played. Ah... They were all so lovely. It makes me remember the other baby docs. They are so nice. And smart and funny. Ahh... and soon they will leave again and I will be sad for their loss.

(06) Friday

Today is the day... I start building again. I miss using my tools I bought. I miss making things with my hands that will be used by people and these kids will use this lab/library for 10 years or more... I hope we can get them a nice setup and that they replace the dying or dead N-computer every few years... then they will have a chance to learn computers and have a whole ton of books to choose from... over 3000 are supposed to come. This is the kind of work I should be doing, making things. Leaving a footprint in concrete ways of my time here. Thank you Isabelle for making this experience worth waiting a year to do.

(07) Saturday

Made it to Malo and worked on few things like painting and such. Here are some photos.

This is me after stepping / being stung by a crown of thorns. It felt like molten fire on my feet.

Future computer lab at Malo site

Future library room at malo site

Photo of Phono

Ratua Sunset

Cool little place to chill

(08) Sunday

Lets hope this turns out to be nothing.

We are all going to Vila today just in case we need to evaucate.
Not sure what is really going on... except we are all in vila and prepared to evac the place if the cyclone looks dangerous.
People are all quite anxious about what is going on.