Questions Answered

1. Matt and Mel: I am going to see the Simpsons Movie here tonight! Movies come out here very fast and are also cheap! Best of all they still sell yummy popcorn.

2. Aunt Cheryl: It rains all of the time. Just scattered showers. Really heavy showers! You can normally wait it out. However, I see a mirror about once a week so I really don't care if I get wet. I dry as soon as the sun comes out. The rain water is also nicer than the shower water, so it is like a free bath. Some of my fellow WTeachers run and grab soap when it rains and literally take a shower in the rain.

3. Phone: As a few of you know I did get a cell phone. (Judge, judge away) I can't read my blog while I type but I may have entered the first three numbers wrong. Again the number is
011 692 455 2471. It is still best to communicate through email because of the crazy time diffrence. But please call if you want. Make sure you find a good phone card. You may want to talk to my mom for help with that. She is the only one who has called me sucessfully. I should be able to get texts, but it is not working. I will look into soon. However, I am begining to get used to island time and taking forever to do anything.

I have to go to the local bar now for food and a beer! Yokwe! (can be hello or goodbye)

I Was Able to Show My Sholders.... still no knees :(

Yesterday was great! We had the day off and drinking was encouraged! We met at the dock at 11am and got on this big, flat boat. The boat, no joke, was the kind they use to storm islands in war. The back end of the boat even lowered down into a ramp. When we got to the island is was like a picture. White sand and clean! (Majuro has a huge trash issue and no sand because they used all the sand for building. This was a nice change.) We spent all day snorkeling and drinking Cherry Potters. (To make a Cherry Potter add cheep vodka, Grenadine, and Sprite. Mix with a stick that you find on the ground. Enjoy.) The snorkeling was great! There was the front half of an airplane about 100 yards out from the beach. Some people swam through the middle of the plane. Mom you will be glad to know that I was way to fearful of getting stuck to do that. (Maggie and Mom when you both come I am taking you here) When we finished we headed back to Majuro where I ate a GREAT BLT (not as good as your Dad) and fries. Then crashed.

I am going to post pictures later this week. I miss you all. I am really busy, but hope to get personal letter to each of you soon.

"Katie Smith Town Whore"

Today I realized that the culture is sinking in. We went into town to see the Netajel (Government Building) I was on the bus when I realized that I did not have a slip on! I almost got off the bus, because I was mortified at the thought of someone being able to see the silhouette of my legs. Through the whole tour I stood against walls trying to block any light from passing through. I knew if someone saw they would think, "That Ri-Belle (translation "person who wears clothes" this term was first given to missionaries who came over and told the Marshallese people to put on clothes. Now it is used for tourists and non-natives) she is a whore!"

As soon as we left the tour I ran to a little store and bought a slip! I feel better now. When I was paying the woman did not have enough change. Without even asking she gave me part of my change in sticks of gum! How great is that. Gum used as money. My mom would be rich with all that Ice Breakers!

Update on "U-ker": Last night Kristen and I beat the boys (Dan and Tim) in U ker and walked away with breakfast. So this morning when I got done showering (ie pouring a cup of catchment water over my head while standing on a piece of wood surrounded with a tarp) I had a toasty bagel and fried egg! Ymm!

Lastly- I got a cell phone. I know it takes away from the experience, but I want to talk to people! There are phone cards that you can buy to call me for as cheep as 50 cents per minute. I get free incomming calls and can call you for $1.50 / minute. I think texting is only 10 cents per message for me, but check with you phone company before doing it. The number to call me is oo1 692 455 2471. Keep in mind the time diffrence. To find my time subtract six hours and add a day. ( I think. I am free after 6pm and before 9am for the next month.)

I am doing really bad on letters. So far I have only written Mags 1 page and have not mailed it. I am going to improve I promise. We are just so busy.

Love you all. Katie

I am an Interneting Fool

So.. I am in town again. Today we have time to relax. No meetings until 10:30. This morning I had to wake up and make breakfast for two west cost "U-ker" (no idea how to spell it) players. Another mid-west card player and I challenged and lost. As a result I had to make eggs for them. I blame this defeat on my own body smell. I was distracted and could not focus because of the funk floating off of me. Today I will shower and then play. This small change will allow us to win and regain the respect that we rightfully deserve.

Yokwe! (Hello)

Two nights down. I have to get back to the "compound" by 9am, so I don't have much time to write. I wanted to let everyone know that I am doing well. Last night I started to get a little sad, but am going strong. Accessing the Internet helps, I don't fell so far away.

Here is a little bit about where I am staying. I am living near the airport and about a 15 min. cab ride to downtown. I am living in a trailer with 15 other people and all of our things. There is air conditioning that makes the room about 10 degrees, but when you have been in the hot humid air all day it is okay. There are a lot of contrasts between the amenities that we are given. For example we have to bucket shower out doors and there are only two showers for 45 people! On the other hand lunch and dinner are catered by a REALLY nice restaurant. (There is no skim milk on the whole island!) I am planning to fly to Hawaii for milk! (not really, but I want to. 1000 dollars for milk MIGHT be silly)

Yesterday I went snorkeling and found Nemo! No joke! The "Nemo" fish is only found near the Marshall Islands. It was great. I am very excited to go again. (thanks Dad and Lisa for the gear)

I have to get back, but will write soon.

At the Double Tree in LA (or some town near it)

Okay, so I am slightly dehydrated from crying, but other than that I am doing well. When I got off the plane I quickly found the shuttle to get to the hotel. When I got on the bus I noticed there was a girl with her knees well covered and I knew she must be a WT vol. Indeed she was. We got to the hotel, set down or stuff, and went exploring. That sucked. There was nothing around. (A bar that caught my fancy... but I am trying to act like a good, upstanding citizen) I am off. I am going to go... maybe take a nap. I will write when I get into Majuro. XOXO (dorky i know)

Almost Time to Leave!

Today is the day before I leave. I am not ready. My bags are half way packed and there is still a lot of room left. I have been trying very hard to not bring to many "things" that I don't need. It is also helpful that the weather is always HOT. Summer clothes don't take up too much room. When I get to Majuro on Sunday (I think that it is Sunday, but with the 15 hours of flights and crossing the dateline, I will not know up from down when I get there) I plan to buy a large collection of MooMoos! (I will even have to swim in a MooMoo!)

I uploaded a picture of the island. The black part is the land. In the middle of the island is Majuro Lagoon. When I first arrive I will be living with all 44 other volunteers in the "downtown" area that is made up of the towns of Djarrit, Uliga, and Delap. I think that we will be sleeping in a school gym. (Maybe?) I will stay there for about a month before I move to Ajeltake where I will live with a family. I don't know many details, but am planning to add to my blog weekly.