Will's time in Kiribati, 2010
Update
I thought I'd finally get round to updating this thing. I'll begin, as is traditional, at the beginning.
Monday 18th January
Woke up at 3:20am to make sure I got to the airport in good time. I did, and we (Yves and I) got to Fiji without a hassle. Bought a book at Sydney airport (AU$29) which, it turned out, cost more than a day's wages ($3.50/ hr, 6x8 hr days/ week, min wage is FJ$3.00) for the man who drove us in the hotel-airport shuttle bus. In comparison, the Australian who owns the hotel earnt upwards of $30000/ week - according to the driver.
Nadi, Fiji was very nice, as were the people, and the food. It was the first day of the wet season the day we arrived, and it poured and poured in a very different way to in Sydney- it's a torrent rather than afew drops. The people we talked to were pretty happy about the rain finally arriving.
Tuesday 19th
Travelled to Tarawa, Kiribati. The airport is quite small, very much a country airport as Fr Peter described it to us. No-one was there to meet us at the airport, so we hitched a ride with some Sisters (Nuns), who took us to meet Fr Yelds- the man we're working with, and then onto the MSC house mentioned previously.
There are about 9 young people living here, getting ready to be priests. All very friendly.
Moving swifly on,
Wednesday 20th
Relaxing day at the house. Fr Yelds dropped by, and we found out that school doesn't start for another THREE weeks- meaning that I'll get one week teaching, Yves one or two days. Not too long a time, especially as we came just to teach! We'll be doing some work at Fr's house to help out at the Parish. (sorry for changes in tenses, hopefully it's deciphrable).
Thursday 21st
Found the house with difficulty in the afternoon- three separate buses and no success! We had to get a lift from a brother. People found this amusing, as there's only one road on the whole island.
Friday 22nd, Saturday 23rd
Working at the house- painting.
Sunday 24th
day off.
Monday 25th
Yves has to go home- family emergency. Booked on flight tomorrow.
Tuesday 26th, Aus. Day.
Yves' flight cancelled. Went to Aus. day at the high comission, and shook hands with the President.
Wednesday 27th
Working at house. Yves flight cancelled again- potholes on runway.
Thursday 28th
More work. Flight cancelled again, along with today's international flight. Same problem as before. Will hopefully get away to his family tomorrow.
Anyway, better bid adieu as about five people have poked their heads in hoping for the computer.
Kung Fu Mouse: Miss you and happy times spent in/on Pacific islands. Prefer them to Atlantic islands methinks. Berlin was freezing - top of -10 degrees C on Saturday. I'm surprised I still have fingers! I had Jagermeister on Saturday - remember your first pub night at the Lowenbrau? Careful of the Kava, unless you're good at painting with one eye closed! xxxoooo (01/30/10)