Housing for Quiet School Crabs
12/20
I had a long talk with our country director—Kim—about my living situation. I guess PCV staying in an open fale with a family doesn’t happen very much. I feel fine with it. The family has really really accepted me. I picked up one of the toddlers for the first time—Nato. She seemed fine with it. And now she comes over to my chair when I eat at the table and wants to be picked up. My biggest concern right now is not really knowing how to contribute to the family—to reciprocate (HP rock on). Kim suggested options of giving $200/month, or buying small things that the family needs (soap, school supplies, cell phone “top up cards” kid toys), and the second option might be better. She said things will adjust with time. With time. I’ve only been here since last Thursday, 12/13.
We went to town today by bus—four of us from the family. We bought a lot of groceries. The van taxi ride back from Apia to Tafagamanu (31km) cost $52tala +tip.
The taxi stopped at a gas station. Gas in Apia runs $2.71/liter. Is it 4 liters/gallon?...that would make it $10.84/gallon.
I saw a sign for Teak trees: $1 tala/tree. Hmmmmm…how much does teak furniture run in USA? A lot if I remember correctly.
12/18
Yea…today is spend-some-time-at-my-school-room day. Note to self: bring some toilet paper. I sprayed Mortein (the all purpose bug stopper “high performance”) in all the corners and cracks. A large black gecko came crawling out from somewhere. I’m not sure if he got a whiff of the orange scented poison. I hope he goes outside.
I tried a few things on a computer in the lab. I accidentally downloaded the 5-day trial verion of Abexo registry cleaner; I wanted the free version. I need to get it from internet at the PC office now.
Intermitent buckets of rain today. Hope you don’t caught in one. I love the sound of rain.
I’m listening to some Adrian Belew right now. Lots of guitar + some nice drumming. My external speakers (that use wall power) are not working…annoying. It was in the big bag that was on top of our land cruiser when we moved…in the hot sun for 4 hours. Could be the reason. I’m going to take it home to test it. We’ll see…speakers may be “rubbish” now—the samoan word for trash.
At dinner I learned the meaning of the Samoan saying “a crab will have to check with it’s legs.” Same thing as “I’ll have to check with my family and get back to you. The matai (head) of the family is the crab and the others in family are the legs.
I had a long talk with our country director—Kim—about my living situation. I guess PCV staying in an open fale with a family doesn’t happen very much. I feel fine with it. The family has really really accepted me. I picked up one of the toddlers for the first time—Nato. She seemed fine with it. And now she comes over to my chair when I eat at the table and wants to be picked up. My biggest concern right now is not really knowing how to contribute to the family—to reciprocate (HP rock on). Kim suggested options of giving $200/month, or buying small things that the family needs (soap, school supplies, cell phone “top up cards” kid toys), and the second option might be better. She said things will adjust with time. With time. I’ve only been here since last Thursday, 12/13.
We went to town today by bus—four of us from the family. We bought a lot of groceries. The van taxi ride back from Apia to Tafagamanu (31km) cost $52tala +tip.
The taxi stopped at a gas station. Gas in Apia runs $2.71/liter. Is it 4 liters/gallon?...that would make it $10.84/gallon.
I saw a sign for Teak trees: $1 tala/tree. Hmmmmm…how much does teak furniture run in USA? A lot if I remember correctly.
12/18
Yea…today is spend-some-time-at-my-school-room day. Note to self: bring some toilet paper. I sprayed Mortein (the all purpose bug stopper “high performance”) in all the corners and cracks. A large black gecko came crawling out from somewhere. I’m not sure if he got a whiff of the orange scented poison. I hope he goes outside.
I tried a few things on a computer in the lab. I accidentally downloaded the 5-day trial verion of Abexo registry cleaner; I wanted the free version. I need to get it from internet at the PC office now.
Intermitent buckets of rain today. Hope you don’t caught in one. I love the sound of rain.
I’m listening to some Adrian Belew right now. Lots of guitar + some nice drumming. My external speakers (that use wall power) are not working…annoying. It was in the big bag that was on top of our land cruiser when we moved…in the hot sun for 4 hours. Could be the reason. I’m going to take it home to test it. We’ll see…speakers may be “rubbish” now—the samoan word for trash.
At dinner I learned the meaning of the Samoan saying “a crab will have to check with it’s legs.” Same thing as “I’ll have to check with my family and get back to you. The matai (head) of the family is the crab and the others in family are the legs.
posted by bigchainring at 4:38 PM
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