Bula! The most beloved musicians, by the young people here, is Rhianna (sp) and
of course, Bob Marley. The boys crank up Marley while they’re working, and sing along. Rastaman Vibrations. Music is bootlegged. At the small store in Nagara, they sell hundreds of movies and CD’s, all bootlegged. I don’t think the copyright police bother with it here.
I can’t even begin to relate the many stories Roberta & John have under their hat. Roberta is an occupational therapist in a past life, so she suggested we meet with the only physical therapist on the island, and all three of us come up with some speech supplies that I could send back for their small clinic. I much obliged. Many people have strokes here. They work and play very hard; but also, there is no blood pressure and cholesterol medications that have helped extend lives like in the west.
I was invited to the church in Waigiri with Bevu, (she is in the picture above with her grandson, Joshua); Matei is another son (they have 9 kids...one day her son, Mau said, "you only have 2 children? And Kent said, "yep, my wife is lazy!" That got a huge laugh from everyone.
Going to church is quite a cultural experience. This particular church was built in the 1800's, with beautiful stained glass windows. Afterwards, we went to the International Date line and took pictures of us; Bevu is standing in yesterday, and I'm standing in today! Then off to rock slides where only the locals can take you; we all jumped into a raging creek and the men rode down the rocks on their butts. We swam in the cool ponds and headed back up the coast in a downpour.
