Finding a Fresh Perspective

I was looking for a fresh perspective on Tonga through Mom's visit and that is exactly what I got. Something as simple as cooking has become a creative adventure of scouring the market and stores for lost items. We spent a morning hunting for eggs only to turn up at a chicken farm that had sold/killed all their stock.
I was also awakened to Tonga's cash based society while witnessing Mom swear while unable to purchase a carton of cigarettes on credit card. A VISA / Mastercard sign in a window is exactly that...a sign. There should be no presumption that the piece of plastic holds any value here, but Western Union sure makes a killing.
The other day I had a small grin on my face when after spending an evening at my house Mom asked if I lived at Grand Central Station. It made me realize that all the social visits of small village life have become woven into my core that I no longer regard it as intrusive. It's actually comforting.
Mom's favorite adventure was a boat trip around the outer islands that was energy draining, but renewed my spirit. Visually it is all so breathtaking that I can't help but be amazed. Mom seemed to have gotten a few too many sun rays and circled the island three times before she was able to spot the boat. The only mishap was lack of sunscreen on Mom's winter white feet.




Mom and I have somehow managed to get along this whole time although I’m tired of hearing - 'This is just like Canada at Paul's cabin.' No Mom. You are on an island in the middle of the South Pacific. This is not Cummings Lake.
But really all is well here.

All our love, A & M