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 1st
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
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