Taro Island Baby

Well as of yesterday I have been in Taro for two whole weeks, Its all gone surprisingly fast and has been filled with a hell of a lot of experiences.
Its been both easier and harder than I anticipated being here. The people have been very friendly, although like with anywhere there is that initial barrier to break through. There appears to be a more reserved nature with people here than compared to New Zealanders or Aussies.
There has been a lot of curiosity as to why I have come here and the usual questions about family and if I am married. I have also been lucky in the sense that my assignment is with a truly community based organisation and because of this I have been able to make some good friends who have helped make getting established a lot easier. Gordon and Cassius are both two great local guys who have kept and eye out for my welfare and for that I am extremely grateful.

Last week Cassius called by on his way back to his home Island for the weekend, it was obvious he had a couple of drinks, but it was the sentiment that was important. As he called out from the front of the house he said he had been asked by Jimmy ( who I will be working with as part of my assignment) to come round to see how I was doing, "How are you doing by Brother, I want to make sure that you are ok", he said. With support like this you know your on pretty stable ground and over time as familiarity grows and my Pijin actually becomes reasonable, I anticipate that these connections will grow stronger.

I make pretty regular calls in at the new house that is being built close to the Laru Land Conference office, I must admit that I was pretty stoked with my application of one coat of paint in one of the rooms, after those two hours of painting I was buggered. The heat saps your energy and sometimes even the smallest tasks seem onerous. The boys here though have been working almost around he clock to get the place finished, they start early morning and work till midnight most nights of the week.     

The new place will be a good change for a number of reasons, 1) Its located on a bit of a ridge so will pick up some nice breeze, and so should be a bit cooler than where I am now; 2) Its in an area that gets mobile phone reception; 3) Its closer to central Taro Island, which means closer to the daily market and shops and 4) It will be closer to the people that I will have the most to do with for the next two years.

So all round its going to be a great move.