Adventures

These days my, Erin, biggest adventures are in patience and flexibility as I cook, parent and just live in an environment so different that what I'm use to.  Quite often we have the opportunity to experience culture through adventures outside the home.  Here is one of our recent adventures
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Boats along the sore at the Fishermen's Festival

Aboard the boat.  One of our friends far left with her brother-in-law far right holding the camera. 

One Sunday morning we were invited to join friends at a local Fishermen's Festival.  Once a year the fishermen originally from this area all gather to celebrate their yield. These men may travel far in their own boats, to fish, even to one of the major neighboring islands (at least an hour plane ride away).  But they return for this event.  Together with friends we boarded an anchored family member's boat and as with most events, where offered a meal.  Afterwards we returned to their house, where we were offered more food and sat around chatting for a couple hours.  Then we proceeded to another family member's house for more food; grilled fish.  That day I had run out of ideas to motivate Caedmon to smile for a picture taken by someone else so I resorted to giving him coins, each worth about 5 cents.  He counted 42 pictures by the time the day was done = about $2. 

The spread on the boat.  Wrapped rice, fish, chicken, salsa, boiled eggs, fruit soup, and bottled water. 

Back at the house we ate soup and tried to decline the rest. 




Cleaning and prepping the fish at the second house.

Coconut husks are used for the fire. 

Fish is laid on top of strips of bamboo.





Banana leaves are placed on top as the fish cooks. 



Grilling fish  



 

The Market

Here in the city of Barat there are multiple mini-marts.  There are two national chain type mini-marts and various mom & pop types.  We frequent these for items such as powdered milk, oats (though I have yet to find whole oats here or in the big city), candy, and spaghetti!

We saw this and thought, "Ok, we can live here."

Notice the Snickers, Kit-Kats, and M&Ms.  We were amazed, these are big treats for us, not found everywhere!

 The traditional market on the other hand is the place for all fresh produce.  Just about everything else can be found there as well.  It can be a difficult place to walk around as it is crowded, occasionally muddy, and the 'aisles' are very narrow.  Regardless it is the one crowded public place that I thoroughly enjoy visiting, even with the boys who always have to put up with constant cheek pinching and comments such as, "oh you are so handsome."  

All for $17, from top left: 2 bunches of bananas, 1/2 kg raisins, 1 kg green beans, 2 baking powders, 2 cinnamon pkts, 1 nutmeg, 3 ears of corn, large bunch of green onions and celery leaf, 2 bunches yard long beans, 5 carrots, 1/2 kg potatoes, and 1kg red beans.  Also included but not pictured one whole chicken (killed, feathered, and cut up while we shopped) and a packet of turmeric. 

fruits and vegies are priced by weight

Vegies and eggs, not refrigerated.  The blue ones are duck eggs.

From top left: packages of coconut milk, palm sugar wrapped in leaves, red and white rice, corn, and black rice. 

Left bottom is packaged margarine.  I have not found real butter here.  As far as I know there isn't a word in the language to distinguish butter from margarine either. 

The fish section.  Fish is the most common form of 'meat.'  It is much cheaper than chicken, which runs about $5 per animal. 

The sellers and fish all just sit out until sold or the market closes about 3 or 4pm

The various types of fish are just overwhelming to me.  I hardly know how to cook fish much less pick one out to buy. 

Fish sliced open and laid out to dry in the sun.  This is one way people far from the sea can eat fish.  But it is also a common way to eat fish when fresh fish is available. 

Various treats made locally.  These are often bought as souvenirs for friends and family, like when we return to the big city. 

Various tools with hand made wooden handles.

Packages of tamarind in the two bowls. 

Regular household items.  Bowls and buckets for cleaning and washing.  Baskets and containers towards the top for storing and carrying. 

 

Excited for the Seahawks!!!

Thanks to technology we are able to do things so many people living overseas long ago never were able to do.  Because of the internet we are able to correspond with friends and family immediately via email or skype.  For a price we can even talk on the phone!  Today we were thankful to be able to watch the Super Bowl live!  Being away from our home culture and adjusting to a completely different one often makes me, Erin, more appreciative of aspects of our own culture.  I always enjoy a Super Bowl party, but today as just the four of us watched it was still special – a connection to our home culture. 

Our party wasn’t just smaller.  It is Monday morning here.  I arranged Caedmon’s school lessons around the game (before and during half time), John watched most of the game in his pajama’s, and I sipped coffee and ate breakfast!  Not the Super Bowl traditions we grew up with, but what a blessing to be able to still take part in an aspect of our own culture while so far away.  AND the Seahawks won!!!  Wow, what a morning to start our day!