OK, so I’m back. I’ve been at work for 3 weeks now, and it’s weird because in many ways, it’s a lot like working at Quantico. For example, I’m currently just waiting for things to happen. Well, to be more specific, I’m scanning a lot of documents while I wait for things to happen.
For those of you who don’t know, I am now working for the Fisheries Division in the Government’s Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries. I am working in the Extension Office which is in charge of community programs and outreach. This means that I will hopefully get to go out to the villages that we work with and see them. Actually next week, we are slated to give a presentation to one of the other Integrated Coastal Management (ICM) volunteer’s schools. That should be pretty interesting.
Well, life here has been pretty interesting. The first two weeks of our service were completely tied up with the Samoan hosting of the South Pacific Games. These are a 4th yearly set of athletic competitions, much like the Olympics but on a smaller scale that enables the smaller countries to compete with one another. Many of the other Peace Corps people (PCVs) volunteered at the games, timing things like swimming and setting up races and sailing and various other tasks. They seemed to have a blast. I, however, had to concentrate on my new job, so I remained a mere spectator. I saw some tennis and soccer, the two sports I most like to watch. Also I attended the opening and closing ceremonies. These were pretty amazing with hundreds of Samoan high school students dancing in unison on the fields. That was very impressive. Sometimes I’m a little envious of this amazingly old culture that all of the island nations represented at the games manages to uphold. i guess it’s the equivalent to Native American tribal dances. One thing is for sure, though, I’m not sure Europe is that old now. I mean they seem relatively young compared to the traditions of Samoa.
But now the games are done and life will return to normal. Well, the new normal for those of us that just swore in a couple of weeks ago. My new 9-5 office job existance. Weird.
Anyway, talk to you later.