Exploration: Ten Things

I was having Sunday lunch with a family the other day. While feasting on some lu (beef style), a bright and very energetic 8-year-old and I were having a conversation about stores. She mentioned that she had been to America and I asked her if she had ever gone to a store there.


"Oh yes! They are so big. I walk into the store and it was very big. There was so many things. I told my aunty I want this... and this... and this..."


And as she said these words she motioned like she was grabbing items off of the shelf. She was nearly jumping out of her seat with excitement as she talked about shopping. She and I have so much in common.



I imagined her in a Target. Then I imagined myself in a Target. Because sometimes I'm a little bit selfish like that. Gimme a break. It's been awhile since I've walked through those electronic crimson doors. Oh man, Target. How I miss your sweet red bullseye and the fact that you have 20 different types of detergent. And real coffee.

But you know what? I'm okay with not having to choose from 20 different types of detergent.


In fact, shopping has become a lot easier when there is only 1 or 2 types of each product. I want to share with you 10 things that I learned while I explored one of the local falekoloas (stores) the other day. Here they are (in no particular order):



1. Flour and sugar are sold by the kilo. I still don't know exactly what a kilo is, but it seems reasonably priced at $2.00 and $2.80 respectively.

2. The Coca-Cola from Fiji is the best. It's made with real cane sugar vs. high fructose corn syrup. It tastes so so so yummy.

3. When you find something in the store that you have never seen before and you enjoy its taste, don't hestitate. Buy it. It probably won't be there the next time you go. And you may not see it again for another year.

4. Skim milk? Please. Not in Tonga. Here we have Full Cream Milk ("For delicious taste" - this is what the box says anyway). It's ultra-pasteurized and is sold in a box. It doesn't need to be refrigerated until you open it.

5. There are no onions left in Tonga. I'm fairly certain of this. Every time I walk into the falekoloa now I ask "osi onioni?" (Are the onions gone?) And the answer is always "Io!" (Yes).

6. It's better to buy Huntz Tomato Paste vs. Watties. Better flavor. Smoother texture.

7. Check your rice to make sure it isn't moldy or have bugs in it before you leave the store.

8. Ice cream for a $1.00 a cone is a steal, but you really don't need it 3 times a day (Mom, I swear this only happened once.)

9. Eggs aren't sold at the local falekoloas. You must go into town and you must be prepared to have broken eggs on the ride home. I have a 78% success rate. That's okay because I'm allergic and only occasionally use them for baking.

10. Don't bother buying cereal. It's $15-$18 a box. A BOX. And I'm not even talking the good stuff - like muesli, granola... that's even more mamafa (expensive). Figure out something else for breakfast. But if you're allergic to eggs you'll have to be even more creative.

And now you know.    

Tongan Cooking 101: Mei Fruit Chips

Today was the last day of school and only ten students showed up. Not much was going on so by 10 am there were only 4 left. There is a giant tree in the school yard that produces mei fruit (seen below). The tree is huge and sprawling and reminds me of something you might find a a Roal Dahl book. The boys picked the best, most ripe, mei fruit and brought it over. We then went to work making mei fruit chips.

They asked for a tin can. Then they cut it apart and used it to scrape the skin off of the mei fruit.

This was quite the task. It's not easy scraping all the skin off. Takes a lot of elbow grease.

Once the skin is off you cut up the meat of the fruit. The consistency is sort of spongey - like bread almost. And in Tongan "mei" translates to bread so that makes sense.

Then put some oil in a pan and heat it up. Slice up the mei fruit pretty thin and fry it (fakapaku style).

Wait until it gets nice and brown.

Then make sure the excess oil is off and put on a plate to cool.

Serve with salt and ketchup. Enjoy!

They taste like french fries!

A Christmas Poem

'Twas a Few Weeks Before Christmas

By Mandy

*Inspired by 'Twas the Night Before Christmas

- - - - -

'Twas a few weeks before Christmas and all through the South Pacific Seas,

Everything was sweaty, even the backs of my knees.

Chimneys were just silly for the heat was too much,

the air was so thick and drinking lots of water was clutch.

My hair in a ponytail - too steamy for a cap,

It was noon, so not time for a "long winter's nap".

When out on the hala (road) arose such a clatter,

I slowly stood up to see what was the matter.

Excited at the prospect of Santa, I opened the door,

It wasn't Kris K., but 4 roosters on the dirt floor.

  

Along with the birds were three very large pigs,

Oinking and sniffing and looking for things.

I gave them some leftovers and walked back to my seat,

daydreaming about seeing the big red guy - who, as a kid, I was quite afraid to meet.

"Mandy-eh!" could be heard outside on the road,

I looked up and out the window to see my neighbor carrying a very large load.

Lu made with beef and coconut milk then baked in the ground,

With her daughter behind her, but not making a sound.

"Malo aupito - Thank you very much!"

She nodded and smiled adding the perfect touch -

A pie full of custard and many root crops to eat,

We chatted, I thanked her and went inside with my meat.

Gazing at my 6-inch Christmas tree and its fake sprayed-on snow,

Gave the illusion that the mini ornaments were very much aglow.

Forget the snowmen, sleigh bells and Balsam fir tree,

But turquoise water, pineapples and coconuts this year there will be.

  

No Christmas light viewing, no plays by Mr. Dickens,

it'll just be me, this mini tree and a bunch of silly chickens.

  

At least I have a plethora of Christmas cinema magic,

Watching George Bailey, Kevin McCalister, Ebenezer Scrooge and Bob Cratchet.

There's so much to learn from three men, a boy and their yuletide tales,

Lots more than what can fill up two bucket bath pails.

Let's start with George B. who at first didn't believe in his power,

but his mind was changed by an angel, some visions and one money shower.

By the end G. Bailey knew the importance of friends, family and being grateful for your lot,

This information would save him and provide wings - which Clarence got.



Kevin wasn't with his family during much of the Christmas season,

Yet he still had fun - it involved booby-trapping his house for a very good reason.

He made the best out of his situation, even without his people,

He also made time to shop for some milk, cook mac 'n cheese and visit a steeple.

Bob Cratchet kept a positive attitude even though he worked with a jerk,

Scrooge gifted him a half a lump of coal which was suppose to be a perk.

  

After Ebenezer was given the message from 3 ghosts - including a cute one with a beard,

These spirits then taught him a lesson which he initially feared:

It's not good to be greedy or a crotchety old man,

to spread love and joy is a much better plan.

  

There are others too - like Rudolph, The Grinch and Buddy the Elf,

who each teach us something that we should internalize ourselves.

So even though Mr. Claus might skip over me this year,

the bigger message in Christmas is really quite clear:

It isn't about presents, ornaments or hot cocoa,

Not candy canes or "So This is Christmas"- you know, that one song by Yoko Ono.

Dr. Seuss said it perfectly when he wrote it down in a book,

You may have forgotten so let's take a quick look:

"He puzzled and puzzed till his puzzler was sore.

Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before.

Maybe Christmas, he thought... doesn't come from a store.

Maybe Christmas, perhaps... means a little bit more!"

This year I'll miss my family, my dog and my friends,

But just because I'm gone doesn't mean that the Christmas spirit will end.

I'll spread it throughout Tonga including the chickens, pigs and horses,

Who will cluck, oink and neigh as they sing the "Jingle Bells" chorus.

On December 25th, I won't be in Wisconsin or near the Rocky Mountain peaks,

But I will be celebrating, spreading yuletide cheer with my rosey cheeks.

My face won't be red because of the nip in the air,

It'll be because it is sunburnt, for I forgot the proper skin care.

But as I skip through my village and the crimson fades out of sight,

I'll be singing "Merry Christmas to all and to all a goodnight!"

----

Sources: //Elf//It's a Wonderful Life//Home Alone//Christmas Carol//

Culture Lesson 101: Appropriate Dress

I realized something had changed this morning when I went outside to collect water from the sima vai (the container that holds the rain water) wearing shorts and I felt super uncomfortable. I have now been conditioned to feel guilty exposing my shoulders or my knees to the outside world. Pants? Nope. No pants, either. I thought it might be fun to do a comparison game - what's appropriate in America vs. what's appropriate in Tonga. You in? Here we go.

Situation #1: To work.

America: When I taught in America, it was perfectly acceptable to wear pants and close-toed shoes.

Tonga: Now I wear a long skirt (something that covers my knees and my calves), flip flops, a dress shirt and my kiekie (grass belt).

Situation #2: To a funeral.

America: Black really is optional when attending an American funeral. Some people even request bright colors to celebrate the life of the person.

Tonga: Black. All black. And don't just wear black on the day of the funeral (which is sometimes 6-10 hours long). You must wear black all week long and upwards of a year if you're closely related to the person who has passed. You must also wear a taovala (a large grass mat). The mat increases in size based on your closeness to the deceased.

Situation #3: To the beach.
America: Bikini, speedo, swim trucks, whatever. Just make sure to bring a towel to dry off when you're done.
Tonga: Women must wear shorts that cover their knees and a t-shirt that covers their shoulders. You can imagine my tanlines as we are approaching the summer season.

There are many other situations where differences occur in terms of clothing. These are just 3 that I've noticed in the last 2 weeks. We've had 3 funerals in our village since last Sunday ('Ofa is only 450 people big).

End of the Year Ceremony

Today was a special day at the elementary school.

The last week of school before summer break has arrived and with it final exams.

The final exam scores determine class rank and today's ceremony had each student line up in order of their score. When the principal told me what was going to happen, I initially was a little shocked. How would I feel if I were last in my class? I watched as each class (1 through 6) got called up. And you know what? Every single kid was smiling. And I'm not talking about the fake kind that doesn't quite reach the eyes. They were genuinely excited. Parents brought candy necklaces for the students. They stuffed money down the fronts of their shirts.

After the ceremony the Class 4, 5 and 6 students held a market where they sold items that they made during their Creative Technology Course. There were cakes, dresses, shorts, shirts, and kiekies. It was all there and all made by students. They were all so excited to show their parents what they made.

  

Eva-ing.

Tonight I went eva pe-ing (wandering around) with my friends Saini and Dominica.

We visited Tefisi and Tuanuku (two tiny villages on the other side of the island).







    

Adventure to a Tongan Beach.