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.

Week 48 - Starting to build again.

Feb (23) Monday

I worked again on the software design and Kensley is off to vila for a few months. Really quiet at the office. At the end of the week I start working on Nandiutu. I think we will remove a wall and start painting.

That's all it's mostly very boring week. Soon we get paid then I will try and get my bike tire fixed. I miss being able to ride my bike. These chinese tires are so poor that its a miracle they lasted as long as they did.

Oh one last photo from last week at the beach... these kids man they followed me around and swam with me. Funny kids.

Luckily we did get paid... that was nice seeing money in my account again.

(24) Tuesday

Man today I had a bad case of sit sit water... sorry being blunt. Hurts a bit feel nausea. Taking it easy today. I was planning to get a new tire for my bike but I am not sure want to walk into town and deal with that now.

Potatoes help thank god. Not a big fan of rice or toast.

Could not sleep my stomach was tossing and turning, well I think I will sleep a bit and go from there.

I miss all my friends back home. I got a long message from my friend Kat Reese... she is so kind. She's one of the best writers I know. She sent me some of her poetry and it's amazing. And I miss volunteering at the Soap Factory Art gallery in Minneapolis. They have so much work for me to do that I never feel bored or wanting for things to do. The people there are so terrific I can't wait till I can return and build things daily and install artwork meet interesting people, laugh and be thoroughly entertained by the crazy things we do. My parents are awesome too. I have dreams about being with my family eating food, real food man... I miss turkey and baby red potatoes and real butter, pork roasts and telling stories and making them laugh. Man there is so much going on back home that makes my mind feel active like painting and working and seeing art or music things that just don't exist here. But I gave it all up to try something different. Who knew that Minneapolis was the best place on Earth? Well I do now. Except the cold. Cheers to all my friends back home. I miss you guys.

(25) Wednesday

I was feeling pretty sick this morning. But I managed to walk over to work and do some stuff. I am going to head into town now and try and find a new tire tread and tube. it would be nice to make my bike work again properly its been 5 months since I did not have to mess with the tire daily.

The products in the country are so inferior its almost like they should not bother selling them. It's only smoke and mirrors.

I am a little sick today. I hate being sick. But I managed to get a new tire... drop off the spices and big bowl to mr. Thomas... he liked them, then I swung by my old school and gave them office 2010 for the N-computing server. That made them happy. Next week they want to continue with the Alma Student info setup. Hope that happens. It was a long process to get them to buy into the idea. Funny how nothing happens when I am there but as soon as I am gone they get it. hehe. They got a new truck too for the school it was really nice riding up the hill in it to my house.

(26) Thursday

I woke up in a nice pool of sweat today... I think maybe the fever broke. I was wrapped in a blanket I was actually cold it was cool last night too 81 degrees. Cool compared to the average 100. I had to cancel my project start tomorrow and reschedule for next week. I was so looking forward to doing something. Now I have to wait a week. Hopefully I feel 100 percent next week. Sucks. Oh well. I decided to rest and get better. With no counterpart at the office and no one to work with for two months it's mostly pointless going anyway. My internet at home is as fast as the junk at work and there is no one there to work with. I have been left to myself again. heh. oh well.

So... then I made some mashed potatoes with my parents masher they sent me... only the second time I used it here... it's a shame but It worked great, they tasted decent... thank god I had some real butter.

Watched the skeleton twins and that cheered me up, we are all fucked up aren't we?

I cleared my kitchen table and spread out my paints which I have not used in over a year and 3 months. I have 5 baby canvases but thats ok I have only a half tube of white. Who can paint without white. I could work like 5 tubes of white 1 blue 1 red and a black... oh well. Friend of mine is working on a poetry book and needs an illustration asked me to submit one... maybe I can do something with this limited set of options. Might have to go into town and take some photos to get some ideas. no easel to work with either. Grr..

There are two babies here that just cry non stop day in and day out. Why? Why? Man I kind of hate babies. Why don't they make muzzles for them? I think we are overdue for that.

The next door mormons are singing... they are kind of annoying. I think I will play some Marilyn Manson or Jesus Lizard... that will drown them out.

The noise and the sickness are making me annoyed. I think its best I take a shower and walk into town and take some photos and chill. That's the plan man.

3pm

I was in town for few hours mostly sitting at Attar Cafe. Had a cream shortcake first then a club sandwich. They make weird club sandwiches... bacon, egg and carrots and beets. I am like come on... its not a club without chicken that is the like the rule... so they made one with chicken for me. It was ok. Their fries were better than the club because the bread is very hard to chew. Leather bread. Oh well I digress. 

While I was sitting there it was pouring buckets of rain for about 2 hours. Sitting at the table I watched the people around me. In the big room, next to the outside sitting area, there was the local cult leader and a few maybe new inductees. His cult is pretty weird...

apocalypse cult for sure, world is ending and all that. They brainwashed some twenty something girl into being their "eve" to repopulate the earth once everyone is dead outside their compound. I remember seeing this documentary of their cult... the leader was big shot airline owner who got ran out of town by the big airlines. Then he got all weird religiously believing his purpose was to save the world by forming a survivalist camp, preaching his version of god and such. They eat no meat... and try not to kill a single living life form... not an ant or a bug or even an infection... they think all life is sacred even if that influenza kills you it is sacred life so they take no medicines to save themselves. Really logical and all. Saw them. The man is very old looking and frail looking they eat only certain kinds of plants. and you can tell if a strong wind blew he'd fall over. I wonder why they are allowed to eat plants.. those are alive too until they ate them. Oh well using logic on the completely illogical is not going to work.

I saw Jerry, Mike Hawkins's good friend. I sat and watched him eat a huge pile of rice and boiled chicken.. Man how can people eat that day after day. Really nice guy though. Told me some stories about Mark and Mikey... two guys that are well kind of crazy. Likeable but nuts.

After sitting through that show for a few hours when the rain let up, I went to get some soup at the grocery store LCM and then went to the post office.

Then I took cab home and read a little Dune series stuff and listened the the sweet sweet sound of that HORRIBLE baby screaming its brains out for two hours. Ahh Vanuatu... its never gets normal.

(27) Friday

Still sick... was hoping the worst passed yesterday. Guess it was smart that I cancelled going to work on Malo today. Sad that I can't use my skills to do some meaningful work. I have been waiting for this for 6 months. Stupid time to catch a head cold. I like that joke I heard once... if it weren't for my bad luck I would have no luck at all.  I think it was from a movie. 

Guess it's time to make some soup and hack and cough and sweat for another day. Eh... not that big a deal lots of people here get sick all the time. Everything here is a petri dish of bacteria waiting to make us ill.

10am
I was just listening to Nirvana and the I thought I wonder what it would be like to have a conversation with Kurt Cobain...man he died in feb 1994... so long ago now. Well since he's dead sort of hard to talk to him so I found an interview him in rolling stone Jan 1994 4 months before he kills himself: kurt-cobain-the-rolling-stone-interview One of his last interviews... pretty Weird how normal he sounding. He jokes around about so many things and yet you can see his life flashing before him. I like the character he makes of himself in the story. He'd be 48 if alive today. He died at what 28. I bet he'd be really funny. He could have written an animated tv series like Rick and Morty.

2:00pm
For not sleeping at all and dripping in my sweat I feel ok. I made some soup and mashed potatoes. Man that masher from the USA is a winner. Fourth mashed I have had this week... I can survive anything with a good potato and butter a splash of milk and that masher. The masher works best in the old pan from the 70's its sort of its counterpart... the thing I mash in here is a shiny shallow pot it has tiny handles so I can really get a good spin on it when I crash the walls. Oh well. They were still decent.

I have done pretty much nothing all day except cough and talk to friends on the computer. Its back up to 91 degrees even though it is cloudy and flirting with rain. I might finish part of my twin peaks story. I have been dragging my feet on it. Or I can go into town and find some more stuff to eat. Another can of the potato and leek soup... or pass on that and do it tomorrow. It's not all that exciting to go into town same old same old. Nothing really to see. There are temptations like the baby docs. I don't really bother making friends with the new baby docs anymore. Not much point even if they are cute and fun and stuff. They are gone in a blink of the eye so then you just wasted your time and you miss them and that is worse than not talking to them.

I need to consider getting some laptop speaks to drown out all the noises. When my laptop plays music non stop and I can wipe out all the crappy human noises and animals its almost pleasant being inside.

4:44pm
I made a quick trip into town taking one of the local buses. It's the cheaper option 100vt, one buck. It was totally packed and when the kid opened the door the little liner fell off. We fiddled around with it for a few minutes putting it back on and around the door. The busses are basically Toyota's that look like big eggs on wheels. I like taking the busses because you can listen to people gibber gabber and stuff about whatever. Always at the end of the day people pack in tons of junk boxes and fruit and coconuts and you name it they shove in those buses. And also they usually have the most round about way to get to where you want to go. This one one made stops before it hit mine.

I got more than enough stuff to last for a while. I kinda wanted some steaks, they call them hi filets. They really are filet mignons. A facebook friend told me to boil bone and make a broth of it because it is good for flu's

Dammit an ant, tiny little guy, just crawled in my vent of my mac pro. I am sure it fried itself inside on some hot component. each one is like another blip closer to frying the motherboard. The bugs here crawl in your shit and kill your electronics. I always put my laptop inside an air tight box. Probably why its lasted a year here. It's almost kava time for the locals. They are just milling around my place waiting for it to start.

When I got into town I tried to get money out of the ATM but it was down so I wanted in line at the bank with 20 other people. Another amusement sort of. Some guy there knew me and shook my hand. Might have been a teacher. Who knows. Everyone remembers me I remember some.

I feel almost human at the moment. Lets hope the stupid coughing fits are over for a bit. I have a long night of listening to men clearing their throats of kava making an virtual orchestra of hacking spitting and mind numbing throat clearing that could make anyone in the state gag. There must be a river of spit flowing down the block. Heh... well they might use the spit catch thing.

Tonight a band is playing at the kava bar in front of my house. The band is called "Fantastic" heh. I met the singer in his cab the other day. He sings in French, English, Bislama and language. I said that is great and smiled this HUGE smile. heh. He was funny. Very sincere. But I am going to get an earful all night of his band. I probably will be going insane from it inside.

(28) Saturday

Facebook reading done, NPR reading done, eating soup done... so next step blog a bit. Then who knows nothing.

I spoke with Rich for a while on the confuser (slang my brother made up for computer) and then took a shower... must now immediately play music again to cover up the noise from annoying screaming child next door. She or it... only can speak in screams. Low drawn out screams for being "happy", high pitched horrible for everything else.

Let see sleep again or read? I think reading wins.

It was not a reading day a mostly talk with friends on facebook day. Which is good. I am excited about all my friends adventures back home. I am looking forward to see them again. I have some pretty great people back there. Mr. Mitch is one. He's like a brother to me. Soap Factory family. Not popular with some of the basement folk but only because he was always the bearer of bad news, telling people why this or that won't pass fire code. And artists don't like doing stuff over very much. I miss hanging out with with Mr. Mitch because he has this serious side and he scares most people, but when we hangout he can be really goofy. I mean we were rocking to some terrible 80's big hair music and lip syncing last year while building fixing shit in the haunted basement 2013... it's hilarious. He is a cool guy if you get to know him.

Today I made a baby easel for painting on. And I took off the retarded door from my bathroom and will work on putting it on the right way. They hung it going inside to the tiny tiny bathroom it bangs into the toilet... when it was logical to hang it doing outside and there is a huge wall that would give it plenty of clearance. So I will do that tomorrow? Paint maybe. I need to paint. Also I will visit college luganville on monday and work on their SIS app... for recording grades.

They are playing childrens music at the nokemal near my house... it sounds like something on barney or a childs tv show doo duum da do.. doo dum da do... over and over with some overly dramatic pan flute to give it really sappy sounds. Barney and crew... you should make a road trip here you'd be the biggest hit ever.

March (01) Sunday

3:13 am... good time for a pack of stupid island dogs to bark their heads off as any time. They are night time creatures for sure. I am sure a person had to take a piss and made one dog barked and that caused the neighbor dog to bark and then the next and the next and then 30 dogs later the whole place is lit up with them barking. And it's normal occurrence. I am supposed to not hear it and sleep right through it like everyone else. NOPE. Not buying it. If it were in the USA I would either go outside and club them all their owners death or call 611 or something and report a shit dog barking and after 3 or more complaints they mail them and tell them to correct the issue or a fine will be imposed. Of course the first idea is just a delusional dream while the latter is the actual action.

Yeah I like sleeping. Sleeping it never happens here. Like never. Almost every night is some annoyance, roosters or dogs or a cockroach crawling on me, or a centipede in my hand... in my HAND.. or always something mostly dogs and roosters. I need some speakers to play music 24/7 then I can make the world outside disappear. How do the others in Peace Corps in the remote places handle it?

9:00 am

Back to facebook... Lillian is online. She is one of the great ones from my hometown. She had her tonsils taken out. I remember doing that. But I was a kid when it was done. Hurt worse when you are an adult I hear. Lillian was the vol coordinator and then program manager at the Soap Factory. I loved volunteering for her. She always made you feel important and gave you meaningful and luckily for me endless amounts of work. If I am bored like I am now, its not good for me. I should always be working.

Guess I can make some food. and write and read some more after.

Pretty much a quiet day again. Went to Bryan & Kate's and ate some curry... watched some terrible movies. Wow... just terrible. When I got home I heard the neighbors argue and fight sounds like someone got punched. When men and women here fight they go for hours yelling over and over the same thing, with an occasional fuck or wanem. Not fun to listen to. Speakers tomorrow.

Week 47 - NDMO, Nandiutu plan, and more.

FEB (16) Monday

Slow start to the day because my counterpart is in Vila. I said I would go to College de Luganville to help them fix a computer... which means they just walk away and expect me to fix it and continue to learn nothing. Not very exciting to dig in the sand and watch it fall back in.

But I can hope they actually sit and watch for the first time ever.

I hear that Angie is back in Michelle Wong's old site. and the new Vols G27 are on the island viewing their site. I might have to check out Saracata for a minute. That's the only location in town that had a new vol the rest are a long ways away.

Guess its time to eat some breakfast. It won't be as nice as the Ratua food...  I sat with near the kitchen. A nivan lady was showing us a music video that she loved on her phone... she showed us twice she was so proud of it.

So I went to ultimate frisbee and ran around and sweat and had a little fun. Met some of the new baby docs, one is very cute. But they are gone before you even get a chance to know them.

(17) Tuesday

All last night I tried patching my bike tired I put one on tested if it had any leaks... found another and then another and another 6 leaks... I am working on the 7th patch now. It has more patch material than original tire almost. Ten patches. And I bet there is another. After I get it back on my the rim and ride it for a day I bet it springs a few new leaks in a matter of days. They have the worst tires and replacement parts for these tires in the world. They should just sell solid rubber tires with no air just to save is the grief of trying to fill them, it's hopeless.

After walking down to the office and working on a design doc, I noticed my counterpart is not back from Vila. He said he'd be back today. He is not. I went home and continued to patch my tire.

5:00pm

Ten patches later I finally have a tire that holds air. Woohoo Victory. I hope it holds over night. We shall see.

(18) Wednesday

Working on disaster program again today. Making some progress section by section. Designing an application from start to finish mostly by myself is a strange experience. Usually I have a group of programmers, DB folks, testers, UI designers, business people and an architect or two.

Omelette potatoes and onion sausage and garlic with pepper and salt and hot seasoning... plus a sprite. that is lunch, that is breakfast, that is dinner until get paid. Next week probably.

Rained. Tire went flat... patch 11 will go on tonight. Maybe that will fix it. If not patch 12 and 13 and 14 and how ever million more I need to put on before it hold air.

Guess there will be ultimate Frisbee hmm. Don't really feel like running around.


(19) Thursday

Late start but I am at the office alone working. Patched my tire again but it became hopeless. I had to swap it out with the less ideal tire because the air stem is short barely fits in the rim for me to inflate with... but it held air. Makes everything more difficult get to and from without a bike. So I am lucky this one is working for now. Fingers crossed.

Tonight we are eating at Attar cafe. I have no money. So I will go on credit with them. They seem to lend me during my last week of brokenness.

Probably will go swimming with Mr. Thomas this weekend. He is a quite animated and funny. Should be interesting.

(20) Friday

Went to work and saw Kensley for the first time in a week. He told me he is going back to Vila next Monday and won't be back for two months. So basically I am on my own for a while. With the Nandiutu project kicking in next week it is fine I will be basically busy building a computer lab/library and that will keep me busy.

Later today the PC's in town are meeting up at Harbor Master a kava bar and chilling for a while.

Tomorrow I think we might go to a blue hole, Mr. Thomas offered his truck and that is excellent because it will save us money and he is fun. Looking forward to RiRi again. A blue hole to swim.

(21) Saturday

Skyped with my parents a bit. My brother is visiting my fam, wish I was there too. They made plans to have a summer in DC with my brother, parents and Mila. I hope she can go visit DC for 3 months to get away from my brother crazy ex-wife and their insane way of treating her.

Today I might get a chance to go to a blue hole with the peace corps vols. We shall see.

couple photos from yesterday at Riri blue hole with the new vols:

Left to right: Myself, Hannah, Gabrielle, Bryan, Kate, Caroline, Cole, Jeffrey

(22) Sunday

Its hard to believe another week is ending. Well next week the Malo project begins. I am excited to be building something.

I went to the beach with Thomas at Million Dollar point and swam for a bit way better than sitting around at my house...

Couple photos...

Then I went to Daria's and had some great food excellent company and met the new VSA vol.