09.03.2014 Yap

Today was a roll up your sleeves and get to work day. Some of the  Public Health staff helped to decorate my office with pictures to brightened it up. Am starting to analyze a database on teen pregnancy. In the past, I have worked with databases with thousands of entries. The island has a population of just upwards of 11,000. Everyone knows everyone here. Found out about a trail to hike for my weekend excursion, and hope to see some new birds. There is no bird book anywhere to  be found, including the library or visitor center. But I was given a  draft of a brochurefrom the visitor center  that has a list of names.

Here are a few more local pictures:

Fire station and truck.

 

 

Police station. Met a couple one evening while walking. They see helpful and friendly.

 

 

 

 

 

  Post office:

 Restaurant. Have not tried it yet but maybe will save it for a weekend treat.

 

 

Local signs around town and around the hospital. There is a big effort to encourage people to not only eat healthy, but eat local, just like at hoime.



Some older women go topless, as seen in this picture taken in the hospital lobby. There is a good chance she may be from one of the outer islands.

 

This includes betelnut. It seems like everyone chews, doctors and nurses included. This is going to  be one of my health initiatives. Betelnut is associated with oral cancer, but it is also a stimulant. They mix it with tobacco from cigarettes, lime, and sometimes vodka. You can buy it everywhere.

 



The dentists must be very busy:

 

 

 

Yap Hospital entrance.

 

 

My view while walking to the hospital. It takes about 20 minutes frommy apartment to the office. A very pleasant walk.

More health related signs, focusing on healty lifestyle and diet.
Diabetes is a major problem on the islands.

 

 

 

General store. There are several stores that have a little of this and a little of that, all within walking distance of my apartment. This is a large store that also has furniture. I love going inside to browse and have made my grocery and household purchases going here and there. The trick is to remember who has what, but for now I am in no particular hurry and enjoy the walking.

 

 

Yap. 09.01 and 02

Yesterday and today were spent meeting everyone at the Public Health Office and the chief of medicine and hospital administrators. We have worked out a plan for my work, although I just earned that my housing is temporary. Too bad as it is a very nice apartment and in an excellent location where  I can walk to work and to the markets.

Have a few pictures of the local scene to share:

A nice family waiting for a boat to take them home. This is a picture of a Grandmother with her three granddaughters.

She is darling.

Traditional dress for women. Most women wear skirts, but it is not uncommon to see women in pants or shorts that extend below the knee.

 

 

 

Most men wear the typical western otfits - pants and a shirt.  Some wear the longer shorts and a shirt. Dr. Colin, from Fiji, wears a shirt and tie and looks very sharp.

 

The following pictures are of Jesse, from one of theouter Yap islands. He is taking some packages to a volunteer stationed there.  (So far, after three weeks, mine have not arrived. Guam is the problem, they say, although I have no idea why.)  Jesse is wearing the traditional loin cloth.                                                                                                                             

 

 

 

 

Left to right: Bernie, Jess, Patrick. (Patrick and Bernie are from the PC office.)

 

 

This is where I live for now. My apartment is on the second floor, corner room.

 

This is a traditional women's basket - hand woven from pandanus leaves. My next splurge will be to get the men's basket. This is a great addition to the apartment to hold things.

 

 

These are pictures of my apartment and the view of the sea from the living room and bedroom.

Not bad! The flower wreath and lavalava were given to me from Julia (wreath) when arriving at the airport. They are a nice display t see when I walk in the apartment.



 

My office in Public Health:

 



In order to learn more about Yap, and Micronesia, I have become a card carrying member of the Yap Library. The history books are reference only, and will need to work out some time to stay there and read. And now I must get back to work on those public health  "indicators"!

Pictures to accompany the last blog

Here are a few pictures of Colonia, Yap. I now have an apartment downtown Colonia.

View of the lagoon from my hotel. Houses along the lagoon are on stilts.

 

 

 

A church on the hillside (gray skies today):                                        

 

                                                                                   

 

Pacific Island University!

 

Living history museum. The outriggers are so narrow it is doubtful that many modern sized men cold fit insde them.

 

 

STONE MONEY, for which the island is best known.

The sign posts remind me of the spirit houses in Bali. Will have to find out more about them.

 

 

 

 

A place to watch the football games - Monday mornings local time for a 1:00 Sunday afternoon start at home! No sailboats at the marina, however.

 

 

 

 Some pretty flowers:

 

Some cute dogs about town. Here is one I have seen a few times. She  has a home in town.

 

 

08.31.14 Yap

I am really here!
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Had a very comfortable sleep, hot shower, and good breakfast, then went off to explore. The hotel is on a lagoon with a beautiful view from my balcony. The choir was singing at serves in Yapese, beautiful voices. A lovely background to some really beautiful scenery. Many people waved as they passed in their cars or trucks, my little friend Derrick from the airplane went by in the back of a pickup truck, waving as happily as he was chatty on the plane! There are very few tourists here, so many just presume that I am with the Peace Corps.

 

Watched a freighter come in to the marina, walked around the center of town, found the Marina Sports and Bar grill with hopes that I might be able to catch a football game some time. With the time difference so great, it will be early morning the next day for us to watch live in real time. I will definitely figure that one out.  For my CPYC friends, only one catamaran drydocked – no sail boats.

Later today I will be moved into my apartment. Looked around some shops to see what they have to set up a kitchen, etc. Should look for a cook! Or delivery!

Now I am in the new apartment and it is really nice. I have a view of the sea and am close to the marina bar and grill. They open at 7:30 AM and you can watch the football games on Monday mornings, local time. Spent most of the day cleaning a few things and unpacking. Then went for a walk when it was a little cooler. Watched some kids swimming (fully clothed – no bathing suits here) and met another PCR volunteer. Around midnight, the air conditioner turned on, so now it is quite comfortable.