Cultural Celebrations Part 2

For the Founding Day celebration, our Kitti pair reigned supreme -- the king appeared a bit late due to some late night celebrations the night before. . .





The pair led a half-time dance for who ever wanted to join in, but since this was also the break for eating, many of the students were indulging in the free food.






 The day held a number of races, relays, and displays of skills.  Our purple team (Kolonia's Pompei Campus) did surprisingly well in the distance running.  This is on an incrediably treacherous track with uneven surfaces and pits.  The times might be even more impressive were the track an even surface.




One of the exciting competitions was coconut huskings by the girls, followed by coconut shaving / grinding by the boys .    







Even staff and faculty were included in some of the events.   Students enjoyed watching the crafty out maneuver the fast.















Students roared as staff and faculty dizzily tumbled off course or stumbled drunkenly back to the start after performing the baseball bat spin.




 .The day ended with our purple team racking up the most points, trailed by National Campus.



 


 For the rest of the week, we volunteers had time for relaxing by the water, visiting islands, and indulging in feasts.

 While on one of those jaunts, I had an unexpected encounter with the waves.  One of the last pictures I took with the canon was off-shore a few miles from Kolonia.  Ah, the canon was so much better than the sony, but a working camera is better than none.




 Black Coral was delightful.  The entire island is perhaps smaller than of an elementary school campus, with about 4 huts and  a couple shelter.

 We brought our drinking water (and assorted other options) but the catchment was empty so showering was not possible.

What we did have was the little island to ourselves with a gorgeous  sunset and sunrise.

A little solitude does the soul a world of good!

 

Cultural Immersion . . . part 1

These two weeks have provide a trove of cultural experiences!




 The Kitti couple which represented our Kolonia PNI campus were crowned at National with intricately woven crowns.Our campus's efforts and fundraising surpassed the other campuses .

And as with most events, musical and dancing performances accompanied the festivities.








Friday's event was followed by National Culture Day.   A few pictures cannot provide just coverage for performances, the humor or the warmth generated by the many groups.








Groups from Pohnpei were joined by representatives from the other states of Yap, Chuuk, and Kosrae.




Both young and old participated.  Unison dancing was enthusiastically received and the crowds clapped, shouted, and whistled their approval.

 Many performers brought offerings to the presiding chief and dignitaries.  Fish, food baskets, traditional fare were brought and shared.

 Whenever posible, audience members would sneak close-up views of the performances from behind and under the stage.












 Following the Cultural festivities, I was honored to attend a first birthday feast. 

Matteo first birthday was, indeed, a fabulous feast!  One that truly reflected the love, affection, and generosity that this young marvel had earned.





Of course there were pigs (6 in fact).




Everyone dressed!

When the food was severed it seemed endless.  There were meats, traditional foods, fruits, veggies,  spring rolls, rice, tapioca, breadfruit, taro, bananas, sushi, . . .






Laurie carried our tray which we heaped. . .








Once the guests were all served, friends provided dances and songs for entertainment.

Finally it was the children's time!  Children cam up to wish Matteo well and to receive a little birthday cheer of their own.  Happy birthday was sung and the cakes sliced and served.




Both mom and Matteo beamed!