Paradise Sucks

Here's some advice for you if you're ever in the tropics.  Inspect the toilet paper before you use it.  Because if it's been in an open air bathroom, like the one I use at school, overnight, chances are there are spiders on it. 

First thing yesterday I had a gastric emergency.  Happens here.  I ran for the bathroom and wiped before inspecting.  I then developed spider crotch.  Had to make yet another run for the toilet.  This was all during morning assembly before school starts.  You try to explain what was going on in Samoan to teachers who thought you were being disrespectful by running out.

That was the highlight of my week so far.  I'm attributing things to the Prednizone I was taking for the lung infection.  I 'm cranky.  The infection is better, thanks.  Today I developed a sore throat and am exhausted.  I'm sick of being sick.

I'm also sick of Year 8 attitude.  Today I had them write the characteristics of fa'asamoa.  They did a splendid job.  Respect.  Generosity.  Kindness.  Gratefulness.  Joy.   I asked if they were showing me the best of fa'asamoa.  Nope, they agreed they were not.  But seemed unable to stop themselves.  Cheeky little buggers. 

My local partner in the homework/reading centers has come to the school every day to change the date/time.  We've now cancelled this week and are hoping to start next week.

After cooking dinner, on a hotplate on a clean counter, I did the dishes.  When wiping off the counter I found rat poop.  It appeared while I was eating dinner.  He's going to die.

It has not been a splendid week, so far.  It is Ash Wednesday.  I'm planning to give up whining for Lent.

I'm a Murderer

No, I didn’t kill that rat. I would not be distraught if I’d killed the rat.  I’d be celebrating.  No, I think I killed Mr. Kindle. 

If you’ve read much of my blog you know that Mr. Kindle and I are close.  We go to bed together every night.  Since I prefer to sleep alone, after we’re done sharing time together, I put Mr. Kindle on the table close to me.  Last night, I enjoyed his services and was starting to doze off.  As I put him on the table.  I dropped him.  Or he slipped.  I don’t know, I just know he hit the floor.  It didn’t seem that hard and I didn’t even bother to check on him.

This morning I did and he was turned on but the screen is muddled and unreadable.  I’ve tried rebooting and that isn’t working.  I’ve called 911.  Or at least I’m sending a message to Amazon to see if they have a magic solution.  If not, I’ll have to see about replacing (sob) my loyal Mr. Kindle.

I’ve already booked my flight in May to New Zealand.  Surely Amazon can send me one there.  In the meantime, I’ll be carrying a ton of books from Apia this weekend.  PC Office has a stash that volunteers read/trade.  I can live without TV.  I can’t live without books.

I’ll keep you posted on how things go with Mr. Kindle.  If he has to be laid to rest let me know if you want an invitation.  I’m sure TMZ will want to live-stream the funeral.  I’m thinking burial at sea.  Seems appropriate, since he’s kept my spirits afloat on the island.

Small Game Hunting in Samoa

I was settling in for a quiet night.  Clean sheets, Mr. Kindle.  Relaxing and preparing for a good night’s sleep.  When I saw something move across the room.  Move isn’t the best word.  Scurry is a better description.  I’ve seen that kind of scurrying before so I leaped up and grabbed my weapon.  Well, it was a broom, but it can do a lot of damage if you use it right.

For the next 15 minutes the rat and I ran back and forth across the room.  Me trying to whack it with the broom and him running for his life.  Based on the squeals, I got in a few good blows.  But then he disappeared.  Not up the wall.  Perhaps there’s a hole in a baseboard.  Or he might have crawled up the back of the desk and is hiding there.

I baited my rat trap with soap because I’m not wasting the only cheese I have on a rodent.  Besides, I’m guessing the little bugger wouldn’t know what cheese is.  I put the trap under the desk, about eight feet from my bed.  I’ve got mixed feelings.  I want to catch the brazen sucker but really don’t want to have to deal with a captured rat at 3:00 a.m. 

I was all relaxed and feeling snuggly.  Now my adrenaline is pumping and I want to kill something.  Ironic for a Peace Corps, don’t you think?

I’ll let you know how it goes.  By the way, you know the phrase “scared the crap out me?”  It must be true because every rat I’ve captured has pooped his brains out while waiting in the trap to be released.  Guess they know that since the cats will be waiting, freedom will be very temporary and the end will be bloody.

It is now Monday morning.  Cool and a beautiful sunrise.  But no stinking rat in the cage.  Rat poop on my counter, though.  Near my food.  The rat war is on.

Beyond School

My primary assignment in Samoa is teaching English to Years 1-8 in a primary school in a rurual village.  Additionally, I’m responsible for co-teaching and providing opportunities for the teachers I work with to learn new techniques.  That takes about six hours a day on week days and another several hours on the weekend doing lesson planning and preparation.

We’re encouraged to do at least one secondary project.  To some volunteers, that means grant writing and getting “stuff” for their village.  Our goal is to have sustainable progress.  When we’re gone, will the changes take hold and make a difference in the long run is the criteria.  Samoa is accustomed to receiving funds and support from a variety of countries.    There currently seems to be a bidding war in the Pacific – who can court the island governments by providing the most support.  A variety of political reasons, with the impact of China’s growth seemingly a large part of the reason.  Does it help, in the long run?  Is it what is really needed?

I don’t think so.  Rather, I think it perpetuates the cycle of entitlement and lack of self-sufficiency.  This is especially true because so many things are given that are of no real or perceived value here.  Here’s an example.  We have a fairly well-stocked library at my school.  Most of the books are beyond the comprehension level of the students, but we have a lot of books.  I have never seen another teacher allow students into the library.  I was chastised for it.

Instead, the library has become a sort of shrine.  Someone from the Ministry, responsible for monitoring the New Zealand grant money comes to inspect the library to make sure the resources are there.  Yes, they are because they have not been touched.

I’ve been asked to write grants for new computers, other electronic equipment and new buildings.  Are they needed?  Yes.  Would they be used?  Doubtful.  We have one new computer, which came from grant money.  I’m the only one who uses it.  I have scheduled classes after school every day to teach the other teachers how to use it.  No one has taken me up on the offer yet.

This has made finding a secondary project a challenge.  Many times people will agree they want something, but not enough to become involved.  Yes, it would give me an opportunity to get out of my village on official business if I take on a big project on my own.  Yes, it would look good on my resume or in newspaper/tv spots I promote.  Does it help?  Perhaps.

I’ve opted to let the projects come to me.  I’ve  told people what my skills are.  I’ve asked what they’re interested in.  Then I waited.  So far, it seems to be working.

One woman wanted help in writing a grant to get a new school in the village she and her family are moving to.  She didn’t want me to write it.  She just wanted guidance in how to go about it.  I provided the guidance which included samples and sources of grant monies along with specifics that she should include in her grant.  She’s doing the leg work to get the specific information, not me.

One resort owner expressed a problem with lack of training for his staff.  When I told him I’d done a lot of customer service training in the tourism industry, he asked me to help.  I’ll be piloting a program with his staff.  Based on reactions, I’ll take it on the road if there seems to be genuine interest.

I’ve offered to help college kids with their homework.  There are two colleges near my village.  Based on the five students who came to my fale today for help, there seems to be a need.  While I was working with them, the wife of the pastor of my church came by.  We’d talked about doing an after-school reading program for the primary school aged kids, regardless of which church they attend.

Starting Tuesday, we’ll do a reading session for an hour twice a week.  Immediately after that, we’ll conduct a homework session for college kids.  We’ll be encouraging the college kids to come for the reading program to help out.  We’re expecting about 50 primary kids coming to hone their reading skills.

Newsworthy?  No.  Tiring?  Yes.  Helpful?  I believe that the ability to read is one of the most important skills that anyone can have.   Will this change the world or even this small village?  No, not really.  My goal is to change one attitude.  One perspective.  Motivate one person.   Not very inspirational, I admit, but imagine if we each helped just one other person. 

Just wanted everyone to know there’s more to Peace Corps Samoa than enjoying the beach.

The Photos Keep Coming - New Zealand

Enjoying the fresh air and scenery on the cruise.  If the top I'm wearing looks familiar its because I wore it almost everyday.  It was the warmest piece of clothing I own here.  I bought it second hand in Apia for $6 US.  Great investment!

Our cabin on the overnight cruise in Bay of Islands.

A private yacht.  35 crew.  2 owners on board.  Bet they don't do laundry in a bucket.

View of the famous Hole in the Rock in Bay of Islands, taken from a helicopter.  What a fun ride!

More New Zealand Pictures, Maybe

Guessing Barack and Michelle don't hang at this strip club near my hotel in Auckland.

Washer and dryer in my bathroom at apt. at Bianco Off Queen.  Clean clothes - no bucket required.

First dinner in Auckland apartment.  Salad, hummus, bleu cheese.  Stellar.

Had lunch in the revolving restaurant of the sky tower.  1076 feet high.  Tallest structure in the Southern Hemisphere.

We were just chilling, while Donna soaked off her gel nail polish.

More New Zealand Photos. Sort Of

My bedroom at Bianco Off Queen in Auckland.  Crisp, clean sheets and no mosquito net.  Blackout drapes and complete privacy.  Did I mention cool?

I JUST SPENT AN HOUR TRYING TO UPLOAD FOUR PHOTOS.  ONE OF THE SMALL FRUSTRATIONS IS POOR INTERNET.  NONETHELESS, I DO HAVE INTERNET.  I'LL KEEP TRYING AS I PREPARE LESSON PLANS.  IN THE MEANTIME, USE YOUR IMAGINATIONS ON WHAT THE PHOTOS WILL LOOK LIKE.

 

A washer and dryer in my bathroom.  I couldn’t figure out how to turn the washer on, but nonetheless there was no bucket involved!

First dinner in my apartment in Auckland.  Salad, bleu cheese, hummous and red wine.  With the remote control handy.