Part 14 - Busy much!

10.07.2013

Ni hao, Guadacanal!

I hope all is well.

Farewells are never fun

Well, it’s been another crazy month, which culminated with an immense weekend of hen partying for Tini (Best Friday Ever – just saying) and sadly, a fond Zaijan to Theo. Losing another close buddy has been a tricky feeling to manage, particularly given that Theo was also my (boy racer of a) driving instructor, owner of the biggest TV in Honiara for Sunday moofie nights, and maker of many exciting adventures. I think the sadness has kicked in more so this time because this event comes on the back of losing another absolute star of Honiara, that is, Erin Nunan, just over a week ago (we all miss you, Erin).  

And as we move into July, the month in which we will be saying farewell to three more amigos (Tini, Jarrod, and Mel), I have been given three more reasons to, at least, transit through Brisbane and see these delightful people. Who knows, Jarrod, I might even spend more than a day in Australia, just for you! I guess what I mean to say is that there seems to be a mass exodus of people, which happen to be all very good friends of mine but the disconcerting thing is that this time that I would have spent with them during my regular routine is not being taken up by other people that brought an opportunity for new friendships, as was the case in previous experiences.

I know that we all have to move on and it’s part of life, particularly in this field of work. I’m just saying that I don’t necessarily have to like it. Frankly, it sucks big time. I’m sure it’s just a case of giving it more time. Thank goodness that the start of my holibobs is just around the corner to keep my preoccupied.

Tonnes of fun

Looking back at my photos, which provides me with a comprehensive timeline of fun events over the month, it was actually chock-a-block. June saw us celebrate Cid’s birthday at Poha Beach, Mel’s birthday at the Solomon famous Cowboys Bar, and not forgetting a celebration of the Queen’s birthday (day off – woohoo!). It also brought Linton and Alexis’ engagement party, Tini’s freakin’ awesome hen do (no juicy details allowed), and a British High Commission do celebrating the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee (a year late, I know – I attribute this to Solomon time). This is not to mention Theo and Erin’s leaving parties…phew, I’m tired.  

Lights, camera, action!

To top things off, July brought a pre-holibobs present. Just before my imminent departure to Malaysia, truly Asia to see Lukasz, Honiaraians were treated to the 1^st Annual Solomon Islands International Film Festival. Every evening for a week, the high commissions and larger embassies showcased a series of home movies. Films on the big screen for once… It was absolutely wonderful. I managed to attend the British film night, which comprised of 6 short films shown at the National Auditorium. There were some real crackers from Edinburgh Film Festival winners and a few very clever animated pieces. On this theme, it’s hard to believe that before the Tensions, Honiara was endowed with not 1, not 2 but 3 cinemas, all of which were destroyed or went bankrupted. Apparently, some of the old buildings are still visible so I have asked one of friends, Mike, to show me where they are located.

Well, I’ll leave it shorter and sweeter for this entry. I hope you can forgive but excitement is indeed getting the better of me as I leave for my holibobs tomorrow and I still need to pack.

Wishing you a great day and looking forward to hearing from you.

Much love.

Kennton x

Part 16 - Too much choice?

17.08.2013

Hello hello!

I hope this finds you well on this fine Saturday.

 Is there a limit to the choice that we should have?

Other than making mere dents in my endless work pile, two other events have happened since last writing, which have triggered my discussion topic for today.

The first event occurred today. Following my quarterly haircut, I decided to take a pleasant stroll to the wharf. There was nowhere to plonk myself down thanks to all the betelnut spit everywhere, so standing it was. Despite this, my motive of escapism was still achieved. I watched the crews of rusting, old, Chinese ships unloading their cargo and the huge tanker embarking on its next destination carrying precious Solomon Island exports probably to China or Australia. I also noticed one woman standing alone by one of the ships, looking restless. I proceeded to romanticise her future – she was a newlywed named Elizabeth whose husband, Samuel, is a seafarer that reluctantly left his wife for 3 months of duty not long after the wedding. Elizabeth was anxiously awaiting Sam’s arrival and despite the ship already being 1 hour late, she focussed on the moments of their forthcoming reunion. First comes the sighting of her beautiful man from afar, unchanged except for being equipped with an aching heart and a longing to see his love. Then the embrace, arms wrapped around one another as they seek the reassurance of the physical to confirm the wonderful occasion. Finally, the kiss, symbolic of the entirety of Sam’s love for Elizabeth, is short and simple, and placed cleanly on her left cheek (it’s Melanesian culture, not Mills and Boon). I hope that they’re happy.

It was at this point at two ladies accosted me. It didn’t take long to realise that they were Jehovah Witnesses carrying a range of moral literature on their teachings. I politely communicated my disinterest by explaining that I attend Holy Cross Catholic Church. But just as we bid our farewells, one of their publications caught my eye. The cover of one of their magazine issues was titled ‘Are we buying too much?’ I quickly requested a copy to which the ladies were more than willing to provide.

The magazine sparked a few thoughts about consumerism, the search to fulfil our material desires, and the choices that we have available to us. It got me thinking…how much choice is too much choice? And equally important, should choice be limited in its supply to individuals or should that freedom be made by the individual?

The second event that occurred during a conversation I observed between a Solomon Islander and an ex-pat working for one of the donor agencies here. The discussion was around the hotly debated topic of land reform. In summary, the ex-pat suggested that Solomon Islands needs to create a business-friendly environment in which enforcement and respect for land rights will support and grow the economy. The Solomon Islander raised the role of spiritual and cultural ties to the land among the tribes. The deep-rooted relationships that Solomon Islanders have to land ownership and the value of land is one of the delicate discussions that continues to inform the debate. Landowners, to a degree, have significant bargaining power here. The Solomon Islander also explained that one of the consequences of allowing the logging and mining companies to operate on their lands has been the way in which royalties have affected the life of the tribes, namely what to do with money. Access to this money has led to many issues around alcoholism, increased tobacco consumption, and the related issues concerning these. From landowners I have spoken to, much of the money is spent on consumption in the present. Don’t get me wrong, I’m sure some of this money is also being put to good use but it’s interesting to think that there was a life that functioned before the introduction of money.

In the Sols, choice is always limited; in the clothes we wear, in the food we buy, and in the services we use. But is this necessarily a bad thing? Constrained to second hand clothing, restricted to home-grown produce at the market, provision of utilities by a single, nationalised SOE. No taboos in using second hand clothes, maintaining the links between food and the seasons, giving nationalisation of services another chance…maybe there is something that we in developed countries have forgotten in our worlds of abundance and variety – let us not forget to be grateful for what we have and perhaps let us think about whether we really need it or is there another way? Can we borrow through sharing, can we recycle, can we use what we have…

And the ownership of land…I’m not necessarily saying that land reform is not without merit but I also think that we need to question who benefits from the ability of buying and selling the resource. If this reform is for the benefit of the people of Solomon Islands, do they are really need to change the rules of land ownership? What is really wrong with the current system other than the inability to trade land? I’m not sure that the benefits to the tribe, often non-monetised, are really greater than the monetised benefits gained from the reform for commercial and business uses. Maybe some of systems, processes, and institutions in less developed nations work quite effectively, just that it doesn’t fit into the frameworks designed and prescribed by developed countries. And for what? Faster economic growth that is generated by multinationals and franchises? Maybe slower economic growth benefitting the people of the country would be better. Ed Balls, together with Larry Summers in the US, is currently developing looking at growth policies targeted at helpin g low-income families...check it out…http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2013/jul/21/ed-balls-larry-summers-economic-growth

I know this entry is a little different from the others but I hope it’s still interesting. As my time in Solomons lapses, I have started to think about all the things that I have learnt about the country and about myself. This is definitely one of the things that will always stay with me.

Well, wishing you a great day all and looking forward to hearing your news soon.

Much love.

Kennton xx

Part 15 - Is Malaysia Truly Asia?

03.08.2013

Ahoj folks,

I hope this finds you well.

Malaysia, truly Asia?

I’m back from my holibobs and I know that you are waiting with such anticipation for me to answer the question on everyone’s mind…Is Malaysia truly Asia? I can confirm (and I believe Lukasz can reaffirm) that it is indeed truly Asia, particularly the Malaysian Airlines inflight video…marvellous!

Leaving Honiara for 12 days was extremely welcomed; a break from ailments, work, and high cost of living. What more could one ask for?! Malaysia and Singapore also provided inexpensive and delicious foods, free wifi, and the return of Viber and What’s App in my life – hurrah for the small things! The sleeper trains chugged slowly but in comfort; the jungle provided the NATURE FACTOR as well as the not-so-welcomed leech bites (poor Lukasz, he emerged from the hike with socks that were blood red); and the diving in Perhentian Islands was thoroughly enjoyable. Singapore also greeted us with generous people, free Starbucks and even free beer at the hostel. We also got see my Singaporean family and even pop by to see some old friends, Carlos and Theo. In summary, it was blissful.

 

Honiara calling

Flying back to Honiara via the mandatory transit that is Brisbane, I realised that I was somewhat reluctant to return to Sunny Sols. I attributed this to the understandably sad situation of having to say goodbye to Lukasz for another 4 and a half months, coupled with an unnerving feeling of losing 4 extremely close friends whilst being away. I remember being picked up at the airport by my colleagues and driving through Honiara thinking how alien it all seemed to me, despite only being away for 11 days.

These feelings aside, I was really looking forward to my Honiara home comforts (HHC). My friend, Anna, wrote me a very funny email titled ‘Reasons why I love Honiara more and more each day’. Unsurprisingly, this list induced a flurry of thoughts and motivations about why Solomons is a freakin’ cool place (I must admit, some of her points were a little barmy and have provided her with some constructive comments, in track changes of course). Needless to say, armed with Anna’s list and a refreshed Kenn, fun nights were undoubtedly soon to follow. Last weekend, we had a Great Gatsby movie night, which was pretty cool on the old projector; and a board games evening consisting of both Twister (travel version) and Articulate in one sitting – MEGA FUN (although I think Sophie cheated at Twister!)

Netball is also keeping me busy; despite losing their match last weekend, the Bokolo Hornets did enough to make it through to the semi-finals, which the team is very pleased about. Other than that, I’ve applied for my provisional licence and have been ramping up the lessons with Sophie and Carlos. Here’s to a test later this month…

Over a week since my return and it has been certainly been a much easier transition to life in Solomons compared the previous occurrences. I think it’s because I’ve tried to get back into a routine of activities but unlike before, I have managed to get a better balance of time by myself some evenings and gallivanting the streets of Honiara on other nights. 10 months in and this concept is only just starting to become the status quo.

Solomon Islands Discoveries and Observations (SIDO) – Brand power

Attention! SIFF has been replaced SIDO this week but I hope it will still be interesting…

Before I sign off from this entry and head to bed, I wanted to share a really interesting observation with you. It’s about the state of brand loyalty in Solomon Islands. I recently read a BBC article on the success stories of foreign companies operating effectively in China. Big brand names such as KFC, Volkswagen, and Nike are all performing very well for several reasons, one of which was the demand for branded goods that imply good quality… http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-23364230

I tried to apply this logic to Solomon Islands and I would agree that in some sectors such as toiletries and hair care or white goods, brands definitely rule. However, in some sectors such as clothing and even the food and drinks industry, the importance of brand loyalty just doesn’t exist.

For clothes in particular, I think this is a very unique situation for this country in that there are no first hand clothes store (with the exception of a few stores that stock limited specialist stock like sportswear or locally made clothing or generic Chinese clothes); all clothes are second hand! Imagine this guys, clothes shopping that is cheaper, environmentally friendly, and with no stigma attached to the idea of second hand clothes because everyone is doing it. Nearly everyone I know really enjoys the search for interesting items, whether it be a Spiderman onesie for a superheroes party or a beautiful floral dress for work.

Personally, I love what this does for the environment and providing a mindset that doesn’t place a ridiculously great weighting on designer labels and super expensive branded goods. Clothes shopping on a Saturday is funny though, particularly when it is new bale day; the women will be queueing up very early (one of the few times that people are early/on time in Solomon Islands), grab handfuls and handfuls of clothes when they finally enter the store, and then plonk themselves down on a huge hoarded pile of clothes and spend a good hour or so just sorting through the items they would like – incredible stamina.

Granted, some of my friends are likely to find clothes and look at the brand as an indicator for quality; nevertheless, the majority of the population seem to shop and wear without such considerations. And I think something I noticed the other day (captured in a photo that I took of course), just sums up the importance of brand power and loyalty; 25kg of pre-bagged clothes for $1,250. No choice at all – what a concept! I’ve even learnt to use old clothes that are now deemed as unwanted fabrics for card designs – so much saving and so little waste.

Another example that supports my theory was a story that my friend, Sonia, mentioned to me a while back. She saw a very old woman walking down the street with a t-shirt saying ‘it’s not easy, being easy’. I had to laugh and I bet you’re laughing too right now! But I think that definitely epitomises the lack of concern over branded clothing (or perhaps lack of understanding of the meaning).I think it’s just great and so refreshing –will definitely be added to Anna’s list.

Until next time, kids. And in the words of Jerry Springer “take care of yourselves and each other”. Don’t forget to write!

Much love,

Kennton x

Kennton x