Power Outages

The flight back to Tarawa was uneventful but I thought the best part was when the co-pilot was going through the announcements coming out of Nadi and got to "Smoking, let's not go there".  I'm not sure whether they were for or against smoking.

We have welcomed four new volunteers and farewelled two departing volunteers.  There are a few others to come and go before it is our turn.

The Government of Kiribati has decided to direct all Ministries to implement a cleanup plan for every Wednesday.  I loved the idea, but I forgot to take my hat, sunscreen, gloves, etc.  Not a problem I'll ring Denise.  She wasn't sure she would get down to my work, but would try.

A few minutes later out comes the following email Subject: YOGA INTERNATIONAL DAY (compulsory attendance), also from the Government and guess when it was planned.  Wednesday afternoon.  I thought cleaning up your country was more important, but apparently not.

Back on the phone to Denise to cancel my order for cleanup gear.  See, love honour and obey were in our wedding vows - I remember it well. That is the biggest load of BS I have ever heard! Just on the subject:  He who thinks he should be boss has decided that we need to renew our wedding vows. He believes this time around he will be able to get me to say, Love, honour and obey. If I didn’t say it back, then I’m definitely not going to say it now. NOTE TO SELF check the blog before he posts it.

The email went on to say that there was a bus leaving at 2pm to take us to the other end of the island, so out I go at 2pm and no bus - no surprise there.  The bus finally arrived at 2.20, but in the meantime I discovered the departure time had been amended to 1.30pm which was communicated in an email that I had deleted as it was written in the local language.  That's my normal response to emails in any foreign language as I assume everyone knows I can't speak other languages, so I have no hope of reading them.  Plus it clears up my inbox.

I have no idea what happened to Wednesday afternoons being set aside for get fit programs.

As Wednesday is compulsory white shirt day, I personally don't think it's a good idea doing any exercise or dirty work like cleaning up, but again, that's just me.

The bus didn't arrive at the yoga venue until 3.10 for a 3pm start.  The bus was definitely speeding, but I am unsure why as nobody appears to like anything to do with exercise.  The start was delayed, first waiting for the President to arrive, next there were speeches followed by a video of a speech which I was later told was from the Indian Prime Minister.  This was followed by an introduction by a yoga teacher from Suva in Fiji.

During all of this the PA system was terrible.  I couldn't understand what was being said even though some of the speeches were in English.

We finally started the yoga at about 3.40pm.  The yoga itself was fun and according to the email wasn't due to finish until 5.30pm, when in fact it finished at 4.30pm.

We then had afternoon tea at which time I got to meet the President who had attended and participated in the yoga.

The early finish was no problem with me as I was due back down the other end of island at 5.30pm for a farewell dinner and drinks for another volunteer, so back on the bus again.  This time I was smart, (yes I know it’s rare) as I got off the bus at home, had a shower and changed before getting picked up by Denise.  We finally arrived for drinks at 6.30pm.  That was OK as I had already told the organiser.

After dinner it was back home for State of Origin score updates.  No TV or radio, just online updates.  Not great, as the Blues lost.  Must find a TV for game 3.

Fun Run

Yesterday, Saturday, the local telco sponsored a fun run.  The attraction, a free t-shirt on registration.  Registrations began at 8am, and was a few kms from home so I walked there arriving about 10 past.  Surprise, registration was open and they were getting ready for an 08:15 start.  I registered in the 60+ thinking I had a very good chance at this one.  The run started at 08:20, and off went the small kids walking in two lines first…what happened to the run but?

The group of imatangs (person of white race), who for some strange reason gather together, were last to leave.  We started off at a slow jog behind the last group and then a few of us decided the pace was too slow so off we went.  The run itself was only just over 3kms and I had told Denise I would meet her at the library around 10 where she goes every Saturday to read to the children.

After about 1.5kms there was a water stop do I tipped a cup of water on my head – it was hot already.  The run finished in the Bairiki Stadium, an open soccer park with a shaded stand.  On arrival I quickly realised it was a fun run in the real sense as there was no timing or prizes, although I did my own timing.

On reaching the end there was no water, but there were two sheets, the first you dipped your hand in paint and left your handprint, then wash it off in water (not for drinking).  The second sheet was to write your name in permanent marker.

After this we waited for everybody to finish, and waited some more.  Eventually the organisers wanted photos on the oval in the Olympic rings.  They had a drone and eventually used it to get some video.  After standing in the sun for about 15-20 mins, it was back to the shade in the stands for more photos.

At this stage it was 09:15 so as the others were going back for a shower at a place with power (Every Saturday we have “scheduled” power outages).  I decided to wait at the library for Denise as she would have my clothes.

At 10:00, I decided to walk back as Denise still hadn’t arrived.  I assumed she was stuck in traffic as the police were doing a rego and licence check on EVERY vehicle – nothing was getting through, so the traffic was banked up for over 1km.  After about 500mtrs a car pulled over, it was one of the runners with my free shirt and phone.  I rang Denise and she informed me she wasn’t coming to the library as she had seen the traffic and turned around.  With one road, traffic block are quite effective, especially when you have them on a causeway.

I called in to the place where everyone had gone for showers and topped up with water before heading back to Denise who was at a friends place who also had power.  On arrival I discovered she had left my clothes at home.  What ever happened to the obey part… I took the car home to get my clothes and then back for a shower.  I forgot, he’ll live!

Bose Speaker

We brought back a Bose speaker this time and today I found it quite useful for when the pigs were squealing and the child next door was screaming.  I have found the best music to block out the outside noise is AC/DC cranked right up.  Not sure what the neighbours think, especially on a Sunday morning, but for eight months I have had to listen to all their noises.  My turn…

Power Outages

The power company in Tarawa is upgrading the transformers along the road, so every Saturday they cut the power somewhere between 6-8am and it can be out from three to 13 hours.  This isn’t helpful when you have a freezer full of frozen meat you have brought into the country.

I am not sure how much longer the Saturday outages will last, but everybody is over regular power outages and just wants the work to get finished. Can’t imagine how the workers are feeling!

As we all know we had been home to our cherished family.  It was hectic and tiring but lovely to be home.  I thought coming back to Tarawa would be a little quiet, how wrong was I.  Peter dropped our friend back to the other end of the island, he had been looking after the car for us, I unpacked the packages of meat and food.  We have not stopped!

From there it was off to find the police office regarding our damaged car, then to the insurance office to find out what was going on.  No surprise they were still waiting for the police report.  Beating your head, against a brick wall seems to be more effective than talking to this Police Officer.  Then it was off to get internet.

After that I was going for a swim.

Tuesday was finding out what was required of us for the next couple of weeks.  While on the trip back from Dept of Agriculture I was contacted about Days for Girls from UNICEF.  I have had so many discussions about Days for Girls this week, I think my harping is starting to pay off.  From what I can work out there are at least 5 organisations that are keen for Days for Girls to be implemented in Kiribati.  This is really exciting.  So now the big question is, how am I going to be able to relinquish control.  Not good at any of that.

Another of my initiatives has been reading at the library with the children from Ruaoboa School.  There are now 4 women including myself who are listening to the kids read.  On Wednesday when we came back for the first time in a few weeks, the children were falling over themselves to read to us.  When I first started it was like getting blood from a stone.  Now they are very willing and pleased to read to us all.

The next step is get them to practice reading in front of a small group.  These children and e-Kiribati people are very shy people.  So getting them to stand in front of a small group will be a big deal.

So Finally, Church! I used to think that my Parish in Albany Creek was the bees’ knees and the only church that I would feel that way.  Father Ron will always be my favourite Priest, but the Chapel that I have been going to since arriving in August last year is delightful.  The service has wonderful musicians and the congregation know when it is male and female singers only.  They have a sit down morning tea where we are able to catch up with different people on how their week has gone.  Sometimes it is better communication that the internet.

Well I’ll be off, He who thinks is boss, needs to check my grammar.  And I will be checking that he hasn’t deleted anything.

Hugs Lovelies

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