Mofuike

What was meant to be a little vacation on a short trip to Ha’apai (another island group) turned into a real adventure. This was mostly due to what everyone has by now already heard about, the 8.0 earthquake (mofuike). I got off the boat at midnight and quickly passed out on the floor with 10 people in my Tongan family’s relative’s home. At 4:30 in the morning started incredible shaking. I was exhausted, but sat up franticly trying to figure out where to go and what to do. I’m not a fan of rollercoaster and this felt about equal in thrust and movement. After dishes broke and things settled down we all realized the electricity was out. Then the loud clatter began of neighboring kids banging sticks on tin to scare away the earthquake. My whole week in Ha’apai was a series of aftershocks that became a source of amusement and conversation.


My real purpose for traveling to Ha’apai was to attend the Tongan Church Conference. Well not really the Conference, but the feasts that surrounded the week long meetings. I ate rounds of lobster, crab, and roasted pig. I stuffed bags to capacity with food and candy to share and eat later. I’ve really grown to love these events that seem to have captured a piece of Tonga generosity.

Now back in Vava’u, I have this overwhelming thirst for everything American. I think I’m getting the ‘I’m out of here’ bug. Not that I’m unhappy, but the mindset of being in transition and thinking about my next step has taken over to influence daydreams of Skyline Chili and long walks with my dog. It is beyond my control. I haven’t started an actual countdown yet – I’m trying to postpone that so I won’t get to worked up.

Happy Mother’s Day Mom!!!!

Love,
Adrianne

Learning Life

Top meal of the week.
- Found a can of Indian Spiced Stewed Tomatoes. Add a little white rice and zap…I’m in another country.

I feel like I’m learning life over again. My water is now running, which is literally weight off my shoulders. What a beautiful sight to have the tap filling my little red bucket. I’m learning that even thought the water is on there are 10 hour periods each day that the pump fills the tank. Which means that it is always a good idea to fill an extra bucket whenever possible.

My first 18 months I had the wonderful conveyance of electricity. I was used to having my small refrigerator, electric teapot, radio, lights, and yes even a rice cooker. Now I find myself living in the dark and mostly silence. I’m not complaining about the change, just acknowledging what it has done to my life.
- I fall asleep much earlier than I probably need to. For some reason reading by candlelight has that effect.
- I’m learning to cook much smaller portions. I now totally understand why Tongans are so giving when it comes to food. With no refrigeration, leftovers can give off quite a bad smell by morning.
- I now know that butter does not last long in this climate. This heat is intense.
- I’ve learned to keep matches in a plastic bag because when it rains they are no good to light the lantern when coming home.

So through all this learning life over, I feel like I’m living life fuller.

Love,
Adrianne