The Move to Efate

My life has been quite hectic lately. Lot of stories from my trip to Tanna, the Toka ceremony and my last month on Aneityum but I am finding it difficult to compress it all into a blog posting. I think I need a few years to digest all of the recent activity in my life before I can write about it. Maybe I'll write a book when I am middle-aged.

I am moving out to my new home in North Efate today. The communities there seem to be genuinely excited to have a Peace Corps Volunteer. I am happy about my new assignment but at the same time I feel like a traitor to the outer islanders having left my old province.

Yesterday I went to the SHEFA provincial government office and was introduced to dozens of politicians and leaders, most of whose names were cleansed from my memory seconds after shaking hands with them. My new co-workers are a little flashier than what I am used to. They dress professionally, with collared shirts and dress shoes, shiny watches and sunglasses, exchanging witty banter in English to one another. They have more funding and access to aid money- and my new counterpart says they may even provide a solar power system for me along with a bicycle. Today they are transporting me to site in an expensive new pickup truck.

Much different from the simple island setup I had before on Aneityum and it feels a little uncomfortable now, but I'm sure I'll adjust. I'm also in the presence of more Westerners than I am used to and having access to a mobile phone feels strange.

My new job description involves assisting a community forestry nursery, community gardens, protecting conservation areas from unauthorized development by squatters and unscrupulous business men, assisting business development with village councils, and improving water supply systems in 6 different villages. Seems ambitious but I will try my best to assist my new community.

Anyhow- I won't be in town for a little while, I want to take some time to get to know these new villagers and settle in my home. Catch up with you all when I can...