Hard Times Bust a Chump and Alfred

Yes, we have watched O Brother Where Art Thou?  recently but that is not the subject of my blog. Last weekend we ended up at several events ( I have yet to be bored here!). We started off at the local art show on Friday afternoon. There were all kinds and qualities of local art on display and for sale. Since my name showed up on the poster at the last minute, I submitted a few pieces myself! Anyway, there were a couple of vases that looked really interesting. I was introduced to the woman who was selling the pieces. I asked her how she made them and she had quite the story. She told me she used a mold and paper mache and then crushed shells and adhered them to the paper mache. She then put the pieces in the kiln where the shells melted together. There were some parts of her story that didn’t quite sound right to me but I was really excited about learning the process and tried to talk her into a workshop. And of course I bought the vase. We only had a little time to enjoy the show because we had other places to be.

From there I joined the March Against Domestic Violence. This was put on by a group called W.U.T.M.I. (Women United Together in the Marshall Islands). Last year a woman was killed by her husband while the police were right outside her house playing cards. Evidently she said something about his mother and that was that. Anyway, for being a peaceful people, domestic violence in the home is an issue here and the W.U.T.M.I. group is addressing it. We marched for about a mile down the two lane road during “rush hour.” Students led the march with a large banner and adults from all sorts of nationalities joined the walk, complete with police escort. Before I knew it there were Americans who were breaking out in “How Many Roads Must a Man Walk Down,” “Give Peace a Chance,” and “Where Have All the Flowers Gone.” The Marshallese looked at them like they’d lost their minds, it was hilarious! Meanwhile, we passed a female wearing a police shirt, long pants, and flip-flops directing traffic. Like I said, it continues to be quite interesting here!

We finished the march just in time to go to a graduation for first-year students at the University of the Pacific. I thought it important to go since we’d been invited and saw it as an opportunity to scope out and take notes at a graduation since I will be helping to direct one in a few months. We sat down in the back, thinking we’d sneak out early and go back to the art show where there was going to be live music, food and drinks. The woman in charge spotted us right away however, and ushered us to the front. We then sat through a two hour ceremony, much of which was in Marshallese. There was one point where the students were all directed to stand and sing “Rise and Shine and Give God the Glory Glory.” They looked miserable! For those of you unfamiliar with the song, it is something that primary children sing in Sunday School. It has lyrics that include Noah’s Arky Arky made of Barky Barky and so on. There are about ten verses. I looked around so see the reaction of the audience – everyone had a look of bemusement. We knew they were going to serve food at the end because it was all sitting on the tables waiting for us and it smelled delicious. But when the woman in charge decided there would be a receiving line for the students – for staff, then parents, then grandparents – we decided it wasn’t worth the wait and that we’d fly. I looked for a time when my host was busy and we made a bee-line – only to find she had chased us down and beckoned us back. We had to stay and eat! I am glad we did because they were all homemade dishes made by the parents of the grads. There was smoked octopus, curry, lobster, and on and on. It was delicious!

We did finally make it back to the art show about 9:45. It was winding down but there was some fun live jazz to hear and I wanted to grab the vase I’d bought earlier. That was when someone noticed there was a sticker on the bottom that read “made in Indonesia.” It seems the “artist” is hard up for cash and I became the chump. It turns out my new treasure could have been purchased at T.J. Max for $10. Oh well….

On Sunday we attended our church service. Willard had been “asked” (see previous blogs to understand being “asked” in this culture) to give part of the Thanksgiving message and he did a great job. Afterwards there was a potluck and, like the last one, the food disappeared at an alarming rate. We then went from church to the one grocery store that is open on Sunday and drove home with a trunk full of groceries. We were home five minutes when I heard a greeting yelled from our deck. One of Willard’s ten year old acquaintances had come to visit. Alfred doesn’t speak much English but he likes Mischief and was hopeful Willard would play with him. Plus he’s hoping for food. I told him he could play with the dog and went inside to put away groceries and make pies to take to work. I turned around to find Alfred had followed me in. I didn’t really know what to do but he was suddenly interested in everything. He probably didn’t know a house could have that much food in it. Rolling pie dough was fascinating to him and he wanted to help. I taught him to use a can opener and let him beat the pumpkin filling with the electric mixer. Later Willard showed him an addition program on the computer. It was the first time he had been on a computer and he was adding 3 + 2 on his fingers. He seems bright, just uneducated. There is a striking difference between my school and the public system here. Our fourth graders are multiplying and dividing. Anyway, we entertained him for an afternoon until he suddenly realized he would be expected to attend evening church with his family. I expect we’ll be seeing more of Alfred in the future.

It seems odd to be in 80 degree weather and hear Christmas music in the stores. Our school actually sells Christmas trees to businesses that come from the Pacific Northwest! I’d buy one but we have no stand, no decorations, and really no room! But I am excited to celebrate with the people here. I’ll tell you all about it later!

Take care, much love, Becky

The W.U.T.M.I. March - everyone got a t-shirt (courtesy of a grant)!

Willard giving his Thanksgiving address - they honor the speakers with these beautiful leis

Alfred (far right) and his buddies. They showed up this morning at 7:30 knocking on our door. We didn't let them in until 8:30 when we all watched the Muppet Christmas Carol together.

I showed Alfred how to use the camera - here is a picture he took of his friends.