"First time for everything"

Hello once again, as the theme suggests, this past few weeks have had many firsts. Like Royce being the chairman and opening a meeting in Bislama, he did well, short and simple. He was nervous as you can imagine but so was I. I also conducted my first bislama study alone, well not really alone I guess....... but it certainly drew on my brain power, Sara,  helped me with my bislama at the same time I was explaining the bible to her. We also went to a little resort, as is our custom on Mondays (today yeh) and paddled in the rockpools, fossicked and relaxed. Royce slept for several hours in the afternoon, on a deck chair as the tide slowly came in. As  we walked along a coconut lined road,  back to the main road, hundreds of little birds darted about us, it was surreal, these tiny black swallow like birds appeared from nowhere, a bit like the scene in snow white.We couldn't capture it on camera but the scene is firmly painted in our minds. At first we thought they might be swooping us but we have sinced told they were feeding, either way it was amazing.  Oh our first, while we walked, we at the same time kept an eye out for a vehicle we could get a ride in. No we have never hitch hiked before.... so with thoughts of Ivan Millat entrenched in my memory, we kept a lookout, assured by local that this is what you do here for transport.  We were 20 km from town so as we prepared for a looooooooong walk a little car appeared around the bend and true to ni-van word he stopped and offered us a ride. He was a lovely young man ( sounding very old)  who discussed the bible and his love of santo with us. Gradually my active imagination relented and I released my grip on my weapon of choice, my umbrella, and enjoyed our forward journey. Now what was it my mother said...."never get into stingers cars" sorry mum........while on the subject of transport, we caught our first bus to the said resort, very cheap to do here but you just have to know which mini bus to hail down. Fortunately our driver lives further up the coast and is a pastor, he was extremely nice and when he found we were witnesses blong Jeova and here as volunteers, he offered us to stay at his beach bungalows, right next to the sea, we can stay for 5000 vatu per night including breakfast. It is a ten minute walk from his beach to champagne beach. Yes yes, what is 5000 vatu in aussie dollars $62 a night, usually 8000 v per night. We took his number and will definitely take up his offer. He has since seen us walking around town and insisted on dropping us home. So it looks like we have another first to look forward to.

Yesterday I got to experience my first bike ride in Vanuatu,  on my bike ( well Michael s bike  but in tru ni-van style , if its family you own it anyway lol) I was going on studies on the Sunday afternoon and at 1.30 it is quite warm, so I dusted off the cobwebs and rode to meet a sista with whom  I was going. At least I brightened the day for the already happy locals, all calling hello as I passed, truck loads of Ni-Vans all called out hello as well, laughing and smiling, no doubt at the 50 something white lady riding a bike in the middle of the day. I must say the suspension was better than most taxis here in Santo and the ride down the hill was exhilarating,  wind gently blowing in my hair, big smiles from the brothas & sistas going to afternoon meeting. ( I had my shorts under my skirt , just in case) The ride back up the hill wasn't quite so exciting, think I need better lungs for that exercise, had tried to convince Royce to take the return journey as he had an elders meeting, but to no avail. By the time I stopped at the market and loaded up fresh veggies, I resembled like a china man out of one of those scenes in the movies.  I really enjoyed my first ride here and sure there will be many more, now need to get a second bike for Royce!!!!!! 

Royce currently has a very painful knee and is hobbling around in pain and I have an infected thumb, which I have visited the doctor about twice, it has been infected and swollen for over a week but salt baths are still the go. It seems to nearly stop aching and then flairs up again. Planning on taking it to solwata today. (The beach- salt water) 

Well there is probably much more I could bore you with but will leave it there for now. From Santo to you, ale ta ta.