04.12.2012
Hello hello,As always, I hope this finds all of you very well.
Thanks to everyone who has written to me. It’s brilliant to hear from so many of you since being away, particularly regarding the surprising amount of news stories and books that contain references to Solomon Islands. Please keep your stories coming. Failing that, you’re more than welcome to talk to me in person…when I’M HOME for Christmas (December 19th – 8th January)! Yes, I know – I had the very same reaction – I’ll be very excited to see you tooJ
Paradise with a bite
It’s another slow Sunday afternoon here in Honiara. As I a write this on my veranda in Mbokona (the Central Bank compound), I realise just how much I look forward to my Sunday rests. I live up in the hills and although it’s only a 15 minute walk down to the main road, tranquility and peacefulness are omnipresent. Only the birds and the children to break up the hours of silence.
That’s not to say life in Sol is not craaaaaaazy too. A UK friend of mine, currently with the World Bank, once referred to Solomon Islands as “paradise with a bite.” I found this very fitting. Whether it’s the entertaining ex-pat Kaleko (fancy dress) parties in the hilltops of Tasahe, the unexpected city-wide Tsunami training interrupting your meeting, or just the joys of exotic illnesses making you too sick to play Frisbee, Sol will never be predictable or boring. The experiences are just that little more (sometimes significantly more) challenging.
Following on from that, it’s been a particularly eventful time since my last update. Over the last 2 weeks and a half, I've celebrated my birthday, contracted malaria and an ear infection, attended my first art exhibition, visited the British High Commission and unintentionally defrosted my freezer (silly Kenn).
Paradise…
Birthday weekend in two words – utterly brilliant. 16 of us went to Maravagi in Central Province on a banana boat. Just to explain, it was a 6-seater rowing boat with a motor…with a hole in it. Fortunately, the weather was on our side and I didn't panic at the thought of drowning or going overboard in stormy seas. Best parts consisted of the mad hatter party and the snorkelling. I touched my first giant clam, saw my first giant sea slug, and the coral…wow; such an extraordinary organism. Best of all was a school of fish that were huddled together and spinning frantically like a colourful liquid hurricane! Think Twister (the film, not the game, silly!) but with thousands of Nemos and Dorys in it. Awesome right?! Ian – your daughters would have loved it.
Danny, Vix and Amanda, Liz – hope you all had great birthdays too!
…With a bite
As the saying goes, you can’t have everything. Paradise did bite me, several times that weekend in fact (curse the holes in my mosquito net). A couple of days later, I was in bed for most of the week with malaria and a nasty ear infection to match. The two together knocked me out pretty bad with a fever. Fear not folks, Kenn is on the mend after having several visitors bringing supplies and lots of soup particularly chicken arroz caldo (Yes indeed, Mel), Filipino rice and chicken soup. Lesson learnt – never trust a mosquito!
Paradise…
In the absence of such beauties as the Tate Britain, the V&A, the National Theatre and the BFI (oh, how I miss thee), cultural events appear few and far between here in Honiara. So, it was a real treat to have a fortnight of art and culture back in my life. My friends and I went to Art in the Park to see some of the work produced by local artists. Lots of beautiful woodwork, mainly rosewood and kerosenewood. Then, there was an art exhibition at the National Gallery this week showcasing the work of children at Woodford International School (that's the rich kids with living standards better than mine, just in case you were wondering.) More recently, I was invited to a theatre production at the British High Commission, using theatre to tackle domestic abuse against women. When I say invited, I invited myself given the BHC didn’t even know I existed even after registering with LOCATE. Was a great evening though; met the High Commissioner,indulged in free food and wine and even did a little shoulder rubbing with some of the other commissioners and ambassadors.
…With a bite
Regular power cuts are one thing but coming home on Sunday evening to no lights, no charge on my laptop and no battery on my phone was positively annoying. Delightfully, the 24 rashers of bacon and 12 chicken drumsticks frozen had to be cooked the following day. As a result, it’s been chicken adobo and bacon dishes for the last week! Must...like...bacon...and...chicken. Lesson learnt – be vegetarian!
As the novelty of being in a new place wears off, reality hits me from time to time, what with Ma and Pa so far away and not being a part of my brother and sister’s lives. Nevertheless, one deals with it the best one can by creating milestones to focus thoughts whilst ensuring that one makes the most of this opportunity. On that note,time to get back to the hustle and bustle of Honi-freakin-ara J
Can’t wait to see you guys over the Christmas break. If I don’t see you beforehand, Happy Christmas and see you in the New Year.
Much love and God Bless,
Kennton (currently 28.04) xx
P.S. Sorry for not having uploaded photos. Takes ages and need to re-size everything - paradise with a bite!
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