This was my first weekend back at Xavier after being in Guam for the holidays. Classes went smoothly, especially considering I’m teaching one less. The students seemed happy I was back – a couple of the boys came with the bus to pick me up from the airport, gave me hugs, and told me how much they had missed me. It was a really nice welcome back. I was worried at first that I would have to settle back in and readjust after having all those amenities I’ve been missing out on and getting back into “Western” lifestyles, but it was just the opposite. Guam was fantastic, and incredibly beautiful, but it was also very developed and touristy. There was a lot of capitalization on Chamorran culture, which ironically is now pretty much nonexistent. I wanted to show my family some of the more traditional, cultural aspects of Micronesia so their vacation wouldn’t just be a purely Americanized experience. I think there was a lot of diversity even in the midst of Western usurpation, so it wasn’t completely lacking. I really do hope at some point visiting Chuuk can be on their list – it would be completely different and unforgettable. For me at least, I was so happy to be back, and never realized how comfortable I’ve become here.
This weekend was a nice reintroduction to Chuuk life – Ted-one, Sam, Sammy, and I walked the back way of the island through the jungle to get to Blue Lagoon resort for lunch. It was a beautiful, peaceful walk, and thankfully not as treacherous as I thought. It took about two hours and we saw some great views and met some cute kids who walked with us when we finally reached the villages. The rest of the weekend was pretty quiet; we’re all just getting back into teaching and awaiting the arrival of the new volunteers who will probably come in the next couple weeks.

Sadly, violence on Weno has been drastically increasing. This past weekend, Koi-Koi, a Sapukian who is famous for wandering around sniffing gasoline from a can, was pachinkoed (hit with a Filipino dart) and then stabbed with a machete by a high school freshman in Penia. He somehow survived and is in the hospital waiting to receive blood. If you think there is blood shortage in the states, Chuuk would be a drastic eye-opener. There are definitely not as many people willing to donate in the first place, but there is also no one available to take blood, and generally inadequate facilities in which to store it. Two times that Chuukese people up at Xavier for mass were asked to donate for Koi-Koi, no one arrived to take the blood. Koi-Koi’s simple procedure, as far as I know, still has yet to take place.
Similarly, last Friday, the girls witnessed another act of violence as they took the bus home from Xavier. Near the COM (College of Micronesia) campus, the girls watched from their windows as one man took a butcher knife and started hacking away at another. The girls called the police, but no one responded. Eventually, for safety reasons and because really nothing else could be done, the bus continued to drive away. We only found out about this via another volunteer who happened to be riding the bus downtown; the students mentioned nothing to us, either because they didn’t want us to be worried for their safety, or because, while frightening, such violence here is often not out of the ordinary. Most times, it is the result of turf wars (which might have been the case for Koi-Koi since he was a Sapukian walking in Penia), but sometimes it is also just random.

On a lighter note, this morning was honors assembly for 2nd quarter. I missed the first one because I was sick with some awful parasite and had to go downtown to the clinic (not an experience I ever want to relive). It was really nice to see the students so excited for one another, and the ones who got on honors so proud of themselves. One thing I really enjoy about Xavier is the student community. I think sometimes there are definitely issues and tensions, but for the most part, everyone is so connected and supportive of one another. I really appreciate that kind of environment; I don’t think many schools in the states enjoy such closeness among their students.

Vacation in Guam

Happy New Year!

Tonight is my last night in Guam, and I thought I'd write a quick little note, though it won't do my visit justice. I was here for a little over a week with my parents, brother, uncle, and various visitors. It was a spectacular break (maybe not so restful!) but I actually miss Chuuk, surprisingly more than I thought!

The days preceding Christmas were spent enjoying amenities such as wine, hot showers, and air conditioning. Greg and I visited some beaches, did some gift shopping, and spent Christmas evening with the Mercadian nuns, most of whom are islanders. On Monday, I took my family to Tumon Bay beach, close to the Jesuit residence, in the hopes that they would be revived from jetlag. On Tuesday, we went to Coco's Island, a beach resort about 15 minutes away from mainland Guam by boat. My family tried snorkeling for the first time and my dad and brother accompanied me for boat snorkeling a couples miles out into the lagoon. The snorkeling was way better there than the places I've been to in Chuuk, but the ecosystem is a lot more ravaged by tourism and pollution.
On Wednesday, we did some local stuff at Gef'Pago like coconut grinding and rope making... traditionally Chamorran, but not something very pravelent in Guam anymore which is partly why I wished my parents could have come to Chuuk. We went to Chamorro Village at night, which is like a street fair, but it was incredibly touristy. We did get some local foods and conversation, but most of it was tacky jewelry and clothes. Still, a really interesting mix of cultures and traditions. On New Year's Eve we went to a gorgeous beach in Ritidian Point which is more secluded right outside the jungle and close by to a wildlife refuge. We visited an aquarium and also did some walking around Tumon which is fantastically upscale. There were fireworks that night over Ipau and Tumon Bay, and we were able to watch them from our house. We also had a chance to visit the waterfalls in Talofofo and Two Lovers Point, the highest peak in Guam, for sunset. Last night we classed it up at a fancy hotel restaurant for a last meal. I've just finished packing and am trying to mentally prepare myself for the journey home to Weno. I'm going to miss my family, but if the speed with which last semester flew by is any accurate indication, I'll be seeing them again in no time.