This is the third installment of Tok Fani, in which I share some of the funny conversations or situations I’ve had while figuring out life here in Vanuatu. In Bislama, “tok fani” roughly translates to "joke," so this is my attempt at translating/sharing some of the awkward, funny, unbelievable, or downright outrageous conversations or encounters … Continue reading Tok Fani #3: Conversations worth remembering
Tag: Emae
The national dish of Vanuatu: Making laplap
As Vanuatu's national dish, laplap plays a large role in the culture and traditions practiced in communities throughout this island nation. Although labor-intensive, laplap is made for many special occasions and is often the main dish served at large gatherings. Some communities throughout Vanuatu eat laplap several times a week, but in my community, most … Continue reading The national dish of Vanuatu: Making laplap
Foto Friday: “Personal Popo Picker”
Something I love about Vanuatu is the generosity shown by locals. They share everything, and I know that if I ask for something, they'll do their best to help me out. This week, I found myself - as I often do - hungry with nothing to eat. Usually, I'd wander around and "stick a popo" … Continue reading Foto Friday: “Personal Popo Picker”
How letting go of expectations led to a more fulfilling Peace corps experience
Joining the Peace Corps is hard. It's a lot harder than most of us could ever have imagined, and even harder to explain how hard it is to people who aren't actually living and breathing the experience with you. Peace Corps is hard for the obvious. You're away from your loved ones for over 2 … Continue reading How letting go of expectations led to a more fulfilling Peace corps experience
Foto Friday: “Island Toys Part 2”
A while back I posted a Foto Friday called "Island Toys," featuring a local "truck" made of wood and water buoys. Today's post features a couple more island toys that kids use to entertain themselves. Recently, the boys have been playing "sniper." The gist of the game is simple. Run around the village with your … Continue reading Foto Friday: “Island Toys Part 2”
Willy’s Three Challenges
I recently heard a story that I can't quite wrap my head around. It sounds like part custom story, part dream, part believable, part unbelievable. There are some undisputable facts to this story that I can't exactly explain away, but also a dash or two of dream-like mystery that perplexes and intrigues me like no … Continue reading Willy’s Three Challenges
Foto Friday: “Ears, Eyes, and Mouth”
Recently, I came across a book titled "Ears, Eyes, and Mouth: A shared story," by Helen M. Kilsby. Miss Kilsby is the great, great niece of Connie Hill, a woman who married Chris Hill of Wellington, New South Wales. Together, the Hills bought and managed a coconut plantation on Emae. The pair died two years … Continue reading Foto Friday: “Ears, Eyes, and Mouth”
How to make arrowroot powder
When I first became vegan, baking was always an adventure. I had to learn how to substitute everyday ingredients for vegan-friendly alternatives, which inevitably led me to a plethora of new and unusual food discoveries. One such food was arrowroot powder. Many vegan recipes call for arrowroot powder because it acts as a thickening agent … Continue reading How to make arrowroot powder
Foto Friday: “Good Friday”
Happy Good Friday! Yesterday was Good Friday for us here in Vanuatu. We didn't have a big village-wide celebration, but my friends invited me to picnic with them a short ways down from our beach. We gathered up some food, mats, cooking irons, knives, speakers, and swim gear, then headed off down a bush trail … Continue reading Foto Friday: “Good Friday”
Jackie the Parrot
Many people in Vanuatu like keeping parrots as pets. But, they can't just go to the nearest pet store and pick one up. Typically, they'll stone the parrot with a slingshot. When it falls from the tree, it's either injured, stunned, or dead. If still alive, they'll pick it up and take it home, plucking … Continue reading Jackie the Parrot