We’re overwhelmed with love and friendship from the generous families on the island of Lamotrek. We said our good byes this morning amongst families begging us to come back some day, but sadly, we think that we never will. They expressed appreciation for our help in the school and fixing various things, and we expressed appreciation for the gifts of six hand woven lava-lava’s, 2 thu’s, so many fresh flower leis and head bands that we couldn’t count them plus papayas, bananas, freshly cooked fish, taro, and more. We shared lots of school supplies here… much needed and much appreciated, AND we have a lighter boat. In thanks for each lava lava, we came up with flash lights, sheets, towels, canned food, fishing supplies and more, with our appreciation for the artistry and work it took to hand weave the beautiful fabric on local hand crafted back-strap looms.
Most of the homes in Lamotrek have coral sand floors covered with mats woven of coconut fronds. The school has a few up to date computers (Apple) and a large solar/inverter system to power them. The batteries look like they came from a ship, weighing several hundred pounds each, I think. They don’t have internet, but they can do email like we do… through their High Frequency radio on a closed system linked throughout the Federated States of Micronesia.
After burning the midnight oil for 3 nights (first Linda and then Dave) we delivered two DVDs this morning of video/slide shows that we prepared for the schools and families. There are very few DVD players on island and the only computers are in the teacher’s room at the school, but they will crowd around to see themselves and remember the “Culture Day” festivities.
Culture Day: Micronesia is serious about preserving their traditions and throughout the year they teach them in the schools. Friday was “Culture Day” and the whole island participated in the festivities. It started with the raising of the flag and singing of the national anthem. Then various school kids demonstrated island crafts and skills, and they all sang a song about respecting their customs and elders. Canoe building is alive and well here and is a big part of the demonstrations including construction, rigging the sail, demonstrating how to right an overturned sailing canoe, and a big emphasis on “star path” navigation which requires countless hours of memorization. Unlike the Marshall Islands canoes (which have plywood sides), the construction starts with a dugout log. Then they build up the sides and ends which are lashed together and glued all with natural materials. They make their own rope from coconut fiber. We were gifted with a multi strand hank that must have taken weeks to twist — that after soaking the fiber in sea water for 2 months to soften it. The finished canoe is painted… the only non-traditional material used.
All the participants and many of the “spectators” were adorned with leis, flower headbands, and yellow turmeric powder on faces and shoulders. The younger girls all wore fiber skirts. And, of course, we yachties (four of us) were given leis and flower bands for our hair… several each. We took lots of pictures and videos for the DVD that we were asked to make for the school. We’ll be glad to show that DVD and more to you as we cross paths this summer/fall.
We were glad to hear that Northern California had a nice “February good weather wave”. We always love it, too. The weather here is… you guessed it… warm, sunny with a few puffy clouds and a light, refreshing breeze. A few days ago I (Dave) made waffles (with wheat germ and fresh chopped up apple) for the yachties in the anchorage, a total of five of us, before they needed to continue on. We’ll see them again in Yap or Palau.
The islanders are just as delightful as our favorite friends in the Marshalls, Solomons, and Fiji. This will be one of our most remembered places.
