10.24.14 UN Day a Holiday

We had a holiday on Friday - UN Day. Used to be a big event with parades, but I was happy for the day off. Andrew and I worked on his surgery outcomes project, then a bunch of us volunteers went down to the Marina Sports Bar and Grill to watch a live Thursday Night Football game.

We are all smiling as this was a rare occasion to watch a football game live. Andrew is on the far left with the broad grin. His team is the Buffalo Bills. When they are not playing the Patriots I cheer for them, too. The other two guys are Denver Broncos fans and Kate s a fan of the Clevelnad Browns.  We all enjoy hockey as well but no games to watch so far.

The ferry left Friday night for the outer islands. It takes on day of travel by ship to get to Ulith - the closest and 4 days to travel to Satawol, the farthers in Yap State. I anticipate heading out to the neighboring islands in December.

Mystery solved. The sailors on this yacht are a retired couple from Slovenia. They are sailing around the world. What an adventure. They sail for about 10 months of the year, then leave the boat at a yatch club for the two months when they go back home. They are heading for Malaysia after PI. They were fortunate enough to miss the big cyclone but were stuck in doldrums throughout most of Micronesia and had to motor more than they liked. They will be here a few more days then sail off around the tip of Yap. Safe travels!

10.24.14 WHO AM I? Number 5

This is an easy one. Very common in Micronesia. Any guesses? Also, a very distinctive call.

He was very aware of the camera.

10.23.14 Thursday - sailboat in lagoon, Confirmation by the bishop

The internet has been very slow so no posts this week. We have had a busy week and have a day off tomorrow - UN Day. It was once a big holiday with parades and celebrations but not so anymore. But it is a day off from work and guess what ........... tomorrow morning is Thursday night football.
This week we continued to work on the Ebola hospital preparedness protocol and now some of the other FSM states (there are four total, Yap, Chuuk. Pohnpei, and Kosrae) want to use our draft. It is a nice bit of work identifying important things like where is the key to the  isolation room in the back???? No kidding, the nurses could not find it. So once you iron out some of those bugs, it is smooth sailing after that. We are now doiong inventory of what is available in terms of personal protection equipment. Regardless of why we are doing it and the very low likelihood that we will have a person with Ebola, it is a good exercise for the hospital.

And speaking of sailing, there is a bona fide sailboat anchored in the lagoon. I have not yet identified the people from the boat, due to t he simple matter of work, but would like to see if it leaves under sail. It is flying the stars and stripes.

On my evenng wak I looked toward the lagoon and there was a mast. Ran back to get the camera (why would I leave the apartment without it?). Could not believe it. Beautiful. I will say that I will never tire or take for granted the sea view. Every morning when I walk to work I watch the sun rise thrugh the clouds, and watch the fish under the overpass swimming in the reef. I always walk on the side of the raod nearest the sea to be sure I don't miss a view. Some days it is just so blue it is incredible. My evening walks are always around the lagoon and a side road to watch the shore birds. It is truly beautiful here.

The team getting in shape for the races. Still not in perfect sync, but getting better.

 This shot is just of the sea and one channel marker. It was just this blue. Absolutely beautiful.

Another shot of the sailboat. They say boats come up here from Palau. It is still a long sail across the pacific. And that is not such a big boat! Would love to talk with htem, we have had storms and high seas for the last two weeks or so. I am curious where they set sail, where they are going and how it is going for them. Hope to run into them.

This is Heidi and her husband Amos. They are Christian missionaries, Amos is a pilot ofr PMA - they fly to the outer isaLnds Ulithi and Fais. They have four little ones - Thimas, Rena, Hanora, and the baby boy (sorry - forgot his name.) I see them sometimes when I walk at night. The kids are adorable.

Another cutie before his shots.

She misses her Mommy. Hasn't had her shots yet. But lots of little tears.

 

One more sailboat picture. Forgive me.

 

Confirmation tonight with the Bishop, who is not well. Church was packed. What I wouldn't give for air conditioning in the Church. I swear I "glow" until there is not a drop of water left in me. It is so hot and humid on that hill. A lot of the women brought fans. I may just have to break down and get one.

 

 St. Mary's Church - confirmation of 9th graders. Notice the peole sitting on the floor. Manyleave their shoes at the door before entering the Church.

The Bishop, who resides in Pohnpei. He will be traveling to the outer island Ulithii as well as confirming young men and women at another parish on the island - St. Joseph.

This is Father Kelly.  Not the Irishman I thought he was. The Islanders don't get the irony of the name with the person so I don't mention it anymore. He studied in LA. A really nice priest.

The Bishop with the first young man being confirmed.

10.21.14.Terns in flight

It was so peaceful watching them. Such beautiful birds and so very graceful I flight. You can see the spray of water from the wings as they lift from the water.

10.20.14 Monday Monday

Work as usual. Spent a lot of the day preparing the Ebola Task Force Preparedness document and chaired the hospital meeting. Some work on the breast cancer project. A walk to the reservoir for some bird watching.

Common fairy tern. Upper reservoir, Ruul.

10.18.14 Derigging an outrigger

They made it look easy. They were very efficient with their movements and are a good team. Have to take the mast down to get undere the bridge to store the boat.

This first one is just sailing - nothing to do with taking down the mast.

This series of pictures shows the step by step process -  first release the lines. In this case, a picture is worth a thousand words. So no more commentaries on how to do it.

 

 

 

 

And that ladies and gentlemen, is how it is done.