Rain & Butterflies

Well I made it half way to the hospital and realized I'd forgotten my paperwork, ugh.
Sat down to enjoy the harbor view, from what seems to be my spot when a few errant drops of water landed on my shoulders. Now random drops happened all day yesterday but these were different, I got up and wandered back towards the cover of the produce market, and the sky opened up. Unfortunately I needed to get back to my hotel and then on to the hospital with papers in hand. So after waiting for a break in the rain I made a run for it. I ducked in and out of shops, trying to stay to the covered areas of the streets, but it was a futile hope, I was soon drenched along with everyone else. Oh the joys of the tropic rain.
I then get back into my room realizing I'm hungry and that I might as well make some leftovers for lunch. Change into dry clothes, and write another blog entry. Opened my window to enjoy the breeze and the rain fresh air, and in comes a black and orange butterfly. Quicker than my camera it fluttered back out. Now to finish my lunch and this time I'll take a bus to the hospital with all the supplies I brought for donation.

Market exploration

Yesterday was a nice day where I explored the wonderful produce market, and Au Bon Marche (the Grocery store). I stocked up on some of the essentials to prepare meals back at my hotel. then sat and enjoyed the harbor view, where by I met a British man whom had shared the plane from Auckland with me, then subsequently had some good conversation, which has been absent with me being a solitary traveler.

I then wondered back to my hotel to prepare a meal with my market finds and contemplate why I didn't make any real plans to meet any of the random folks I have spoken with so far on the island. I must admit it's been a bit lonely. I also discovered my first mosquito bite. I then discovered I am still bad at cooking rice, but It was at least edible, I topped it off with sauteed greens (which remind me of bok choi- but I really have no idea what they are), avocado & some very yummy mushroom soy sauce. i then had a whole papaya for dessert.

Well today I plan to rectify the loneliness by going to the hospital this afternoon (I had planned on going early but the time got away from me, even though i woke at 615am).
I still need to stop in and buy some hair bands to help tame my fly-aways prior to the maternity ward adventures.

Time zone change

So I decided to change the time zone of the blog to reflect where I am, which is + 18 hours from home in Southern California.
I also checked the weather and it is 77 degrees with 94% humidity and not raining.

Now out for my money changing and market shopping.

Just about 24hours in Vila

So I've been here just about 24 hours. Slept pretty well last night, woke up off and on, and with the fan running kept slapping for the mosquitoes that were thankfully not there. I also keep looking for my cat when I catch movement of things blowing in the wind of the fan. I woke at 6am shortly after the sun came up. I feel much more refreshed. My hotel seems almost unoccupied, except for me, though the house girls (Ni-vanuatu) are out back doing laundry so it must just be that I have kept different hours than other residents.

I have yet to do much exploring as I took a nap yesterday after my arrival and then proceeded to finish my research about how the town is laid out. I took a nice long walk last night before the sun went down, which did help me get my bearing. I sat for a bit by the harbor, watching local boys jumping off of the dock, playing kickball, and cavorting. There were very few women about, and few other tourist, but it was Sunday which is a day of rest as it has deep missionary roots. The town setup is divided by it's history of French and British occupation, the west side (where I am staying) streets are french named, and the east side where the hospital is are British. Not that the streets have signs that I've noticed, but in exploring the maps you have a main street named for General Charles De Gaulle that turns into Winston Churchill, and so on. Turns out my hotel is on Rue Bougainville

The next bill of business is to go to "goodies" and exchange some money, then get a few things that I missed packing (hair bands, a small lock for the cabinet/closet in my room), then to the produce market. I think I will head to the hospital tomorrow morning. I may head to one of the resorts in order to do meet some people and swim because yes it is hot & humid so much so that I feel a bit swollen with the moisture.

Forever on a Plane...but I'm here.

It's sticky humid but not too hot today. My hotel is every bit as unglamorous as i could expect. They are trying to upgrade, but alas are still an Island hole in the wall.

The staff are sweet so far. I have a kitchenette, private bath, fan and it is at the back of the property so it should be quiet enough. The hotel forgot to send the airport transportation, and the bus took me to the City "Lodge" instead of City "Motel"- so it cost me an additional 500Vt, as the buses don't like to take people with baggage to go back across town to my Motel. I took a quick cold shower - changed my clothes and will likely take a short nap as I'm exhausted and it's only a quarter of 11am here.

Making a list and checking it twice

Ok I'm checking it and rechecking it. Trying to get all the last minute purchases made. Tomorrow I head in to donate blood, and then get a tetanus shot. I may start the packing tomorrow as well but need to head to my storage unit as most of my clothes are still packed from my recent move back from Seattle.

I'm excited and a little nervous, reading stories from others helps me with both planning and working through the nerves.

My newest find in the web reading is Vanuatu A-Z visitor guide.
http://www.vanuatuatoz.com/

Count down continues.

So I am up in Seattle, I had class on Friday, and I return to California on Monday. I am catching up with friends,working on writing my paper. I have been reading & researching and making my final list of items to pack & gather for my trip. I found and reread another blog from another student and her experience in Vanuatu.

http://welbornbaby.blogspot.com/2008/06/so-much-generosity.html