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