Hi Everyone,
We are now in England for Christmas. It's been interesting coming from 30 dgrees to minus 7 degrees and snow. Getting to the Norsup airport on the Sunday we left was yet another reminder of the differences from our culture that we are learning to love. About 3 hours before we were due to leave we found out that our transport had two flat tyres. Maryann rang around but we couldn't find any alternative transport so we decided that we would walk with all our bags. Parts of the road were under water so we were going to have to use the tracks through the bush with our "pull along luggage." We worked out we would need two hours and were about to leave when across came our Kastom "Brother" Freddy with two of his mates. They each put a suitcase on a shoulder and off we walked - felt like being on safari with porters and guides. Two of these bags weighed 20 kgs and these lads walked along at a first clip with apparently little effort. In fact they walked the 4 kms with only one stop to change bags because they worked out that one was lighter. It was an impressive demonstration of fitness and strength not to mention the generosity of helping out. Again we felt humbled by the attitude of our hosts.
What a contrast here in England - people seem so busy and so rushed. The weather is a real cause of stress and yet amongst all this we have been approached by strangers when we were looking lost in London offering us advice and direction.
We have another two weeks here and then back to NZ before heading back "home."
We are both really looking forward to our next year in Malekula.
Cheers
Vic and Maryann

Hi All,
A lot has happened since the last blog - summary first .....
I've been to NZ for Outward Bound and Mackay, Australia for nothing (more about that later)
Maryann has been down to Asorok for a workshop and now we are on holiday!
Outward Bound was brilliant, motivating, exhausting and everything that it always is. The weather was good and the water was bloody cold -only went for two swims as a result. Before I left Malekula for OB I was invited to Mackay to run a workshop for one day. Then the workshop became 3 hours. When I arrived in Mackay I was told that the Union were unhappy about my involvement and on the day that I was to run the workshop I was finally told that I wouldn't be needed. Got paid for doing nothing but it was frustrating and I really would rater have contributed something. Good reminder for me though of why I don't work in an organisation any more.
Maryann had a much tougher time. She went to Asorok with Linda to run a workshop for three days. Her accomodation was a large building with a concrete floor that she shared with a number of other women. The toilet was outside and because the village had run out of water the shower was down a hill and along to a stream. Then it started raining, and raining ..... The good thing about this was that there was now water in the village and so bucket showers were available!! The bad thing was that the big fula river came up so much that they couldn't come back. The day after they were supposed to come back Linda arranged a ride for a couple of hours in a small boat. It was still raining and so they were soaked by the time they got back.
Then Maryann had a few final days with Karen before Karen's final departure from Malekula. Lots of farewell kaekaes and very emotional. Karen got presented with mats, baskets and more Island dresses. I think she had about 30 Island dresses when she left.
I got back for two days before we had to leave for Brisbane. We left on a Sunday and given the experience of a previous Sunday departure from the airport we had been very carefull to make sure that our transport to the airport was nailed down. Sunday morning - Louie the driver arrives and we are told that the Education Truck, our transport, has two flat tyres. We ring around but, not surprisingly,there is no transport available so we decide to walk. We realise that with the road under water in many places we are going to have to take our suitcases along the track through the bush and allow ourselves two hours walking time. As we are about to leave Linda says that Freddie, her son, will help. Not only does Freddie front up but so do two of his muscular mates. They take the heavy luggage on their shoulders and off we go. We felt like we were on safari with bearers. The walk took about 40 minutes and the strength and fitness of these young men was impressive. They only stopped once on the wholle walk to swap cases around and despite the temperature of 32 degrees they arrived without breaking into a sweat - unlike us!
We are now on the Gold Coast for four more days before we head off to England. I would have to say that this has been just an amazing year for us both. We have learnt, and are still learning so much from our Malekula experience. We are really looking forward to the next year and feel that we are now well positioned to contribute more effectively because of what we have experienced.
Hope you enjoy the photos
- children playing in the rain
- Maryann's sleeping arrangements
- Malekula safari

Cheers

Vic and Maryann