My Less Than Brilliant Moments. Enjoy!
Peace Corp Volunteer in Tonga

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So here is some news, I do to much sometimes! I know I have this problem but the combined 5 week break with now starting school has allowed me to pile on the tasks. Many peace corps friends and I wanted to go camping, but I had already committed to dance at a concerti for my school so we decided to camp at the beach near my town. We met at my house for a few minutes and I thought we should get out of here! To many mixed gender friends at my house and all the neighbors are watching. So we headed to the beach and got set up. Hanging out on the beach seemed so inviting, but I feel obligated to this concerti and dancing and I need to shower etc. So I went home to get ready.

Not wanting to be late (really so we could just get this show on the road) I was there promptly at 8. Guess who else was there? Ha ha that would show an assumption of SOMEONE being there. In reality there were two men there, one making kava, and one wanting to talk to me about all the things he wanted me to do in Nakolo. Although he could only come up with two ideas and when I asked for more he just said take it slow, one thing at a time. Whatever I am just trying to see what everyone, not just you, wants. I was cranky and just wanted to get this over with. I had my bags packed for the beach and at the hall so I could leave when I was done.

Of course I was asked to tou’a and I did to bide the time. As folks started to show up I went out and tried to find some of the teachers. Some women found me and wanted to dress me in my tauvala. I realized that I had forgotten the cd so I said hold on I will be right back. I didn’t run, but I was definitely speed walking. I just have to get the cd and get back, dance and then I am done. I was moving fast enough that it took the students they sent after me a minute to catch up. I was in a hurry because I was doing too many things. I have to remember that time isn’t everything and I should go with the flow more. Regardless I was hurrying so I kept up the pace and jumped over a rut in the road…

I fell. Oh well just get up, get the cd and get back to the hall. My foot hurt but I stood up and my vision started to blur and I felt a little light headed so I sat back down in the dirt. This is it, the ultimate slow down. I don’t know if I can walk and I have two of my students freaking out and wow, what to do now. I sat for a minute and decided to try again. I was able to stand, mostly on my left foot but still, and limp with help from Tisiola to my house. There I got the cd and my umbrella (cane if you will) and headed back to the hall. I realized this would take forever if I walked, so I asked my neighbor Tavake for a ride. On the way I saw Alexis and Mikala who were on their way to pick me up. I said meet me at the hall and we went on. At the hall I limped to the nearest house where I was dressed in a tapa cloth ta’uvala and was rubbed down with coconut oil. Then limped out to the hall and performed a tau’olunga without moving my feet at all. Glad that is over.

Now to talk with the peace corps. I knew I couldn’t walk down and up the hill, but Mikala pleaded that I go. So we got a ride part way down the hill and I limp, walk, hopped with much help from Mikala, Alexis and Justin. What a relief to collapse in the sand and know I didn’t have to try to walk anymore. I could crawl to the tent and around the fire so yea I am done. Pass me a rum punch! There were chocolate chip cookies and Patrick had his birthday story for Bobby and they waited until we got back to read it so I got to hear that. Nice night.

When I woke up I realized what a stupid move going to the beach was. Now I am down at the bottom of a huge hill! We hung out for a while but everyone wanted to go early and I wasn’t up for the yoga and swimming I planned for the morning so I was ready to start the adventure of getting me up that hill too. Most folks went ahead, hey I didn’t need everyone. So I crawled, scooted backwards, hopped, swung, and was carried up the hill. I think the scooting backwards up the steep pointy coral part was probably the most amusing. Once we got to the bush road I rested and Alicia called Palu and Pelimani, my neighbors, who came with the van. They couldn’t get all the way down so Bobby and Pelimani carried me the rest of the way. Then we almost got stuck turning around. Then finally I was home and my friends were on their way. I iced my foot and elevated it. It took a little convincing, but I did get my neighbors to stop offering Tongan medicine. Now I am here and I don’t have to leave my house until Monday morning. Time to rest.

Crazy things I said. I am learning Tongan and getting better, but there are always mistakes. Here are some of the more amusing ones.

Ko ho’o tapa ‘oku ne faka ‘ofa! Instead of Ko ho’o tapa ‘oku ne faka ‘ofo ‘ofa.

Your tapa cloth is pathetic! Instead of Your tapa cloth is beautiful.

Hanga katoa ki he mu’a. Instead of Hanga katoa ki mu’a.

Everyone look at my front (chest). Instead of Everyone look at the front.

Ko hoku ‘uma mamahi. Instead of Ko hoku uma mamahi.

My kiss hurts. Instead of My arm hurts.

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