The first week of orientation is officially complete! This may have been the longest week of my life. I already feel like I have been here for a month. (Unfortunately that 4-week marker isn’t coming very fast Phil…haha)

We are extremely culturally isolated in this orientation, and I think that it is making everything seem a bit harder than I originally expected. The fact that we are staying in classrooms with all ‘rebelles’ (that is what the Marshallese call Americans) and travel everywhere in a pack of 34, doesn’t exactly allow us to integrate ourselves into their culture very easily. Marshallese are very intimidated by Americans to begin with – so you put a pack of 34 together, and we are not the most inviting crowd ever.

The Marshallese children, however, are starting to take to us. They come and watch our classes all day through the window and play with us in the afternoons. You would think they would get bored just sitting in a doorway, or peaking in a window all day, but they love it. They sit there laughing and smiling the entire time, and run away giggling if one of us so much as waves. When class is done though, they all come running and try to practice every English word they know. It is really a fun way to try and learn a bit more Marshallese. They are the only ones patient enough to put up with our horrible accents and butchered words. The children aren’t the only one who practice all their English words though – the teenagers definitely practice all their words as well…and as you can imagine a teenager doesn’t try to learn all the appropriate and nice words first. They will usually begin with “Hello, Whatzup, I love you…sezy…” and so on. It was funny at first when you have a truck full of Marshallese riding to work all yelling 'I love you', but then the one guy in the back shouts out the inappropriate word and it ruins the fun of it. The majority of people here are so incredibly friendly though, and so, SO excited to see Americans, and it is a lot of fun walking through town and hearing excited Yakews the whole time, and having kids run out of their homes to run or walk beside you. They don’t really say much sometimes, they just like to walk and smile.

Aside from all the teaching classes and the language lessons, our days are pretty laid back. (But after all lessons and classes there really isn’t much time to do anything.) We are going to be coming in town every day from now until Saturday, so I will be able to start buying the lovely traditional mumus and guams that I have to wear for teaching. I am actually a little bit excited to get one of those! Hehe - I will have to pick out a cute one – if that exists…

Another good thing about going into town in getting a break from the traditional Marshallese food that we have been eating (or trying to at least). That hasn’t been going over so well. I am DEFINITELY going to have a hard time getting used to that…I have yet to find one thing besides rice that I like. I had my first canned meat experience last night – corned beef – and that was far from delicious. Raw salt fish that comes on a whole fish and you bite off yourself – that’s not good either. And smashed banana and coconut…that either. It tastes like barbeque smoke. Breadfruit – I have yet to find a way that I like it prepared. There is a lot more – but none of it really tastes that good to me. That will probably be my biggest adjustment when going to my outer island. I have been eating PB&J for virtually every meal; but trying to get used to it here and there because I know I won't have that option once I am in Arno.

Well, that is about all I have to tell you about right now. Some fun numbers to leave you with though:

Number of deaths last year in the Marshall Islands due to shark attacks: 1

Number of deaths last year in the Marshall Islands due to falling coconuts: 4

Cheapest price for 1 gallon of gas: $6.89

Price of gas on an outer island: $10.77

Number of cockroaches in my bed last night: 6

Number of rats we have in our kitchen: 3

Price of a standard basketball hoop: $1500

Price of a standard pair of jeans: $1.49

Average number of time per day it downpours: 4-7

Average length of downpour: :30-:60 seconds
(it is completely clear 2 minutes later)

Hope everyone is doing well still! Thinking about you all lots!

Love,
Taylor

PS…definitely send letters! I got my first one today and that definitely made my week! I am sure letters are going to be the best thing I have out here…so please please please send me letterssss

Majoro, RMI - I'm here!

I finally made it to the Marshall Islands. After many MANY delays, we arrived in the RMI Airport at 12 PM on July 23rd. The flight wasn't bad and took just under 5 hours. The people of the Marshall Islands are very welcoming, and are one of the few populations that have a genuine love for Americans! They greeted us with flowers and handshakes (no hugs) and the 33 volunteers loaded on one bus, with 25 seats - 5 of which were broken – and drove the 15 miles to our home here on Majuro, for the next 4 weeks.

We are living in an elementary school and sleeping 12 to a room on concrete floors. We have small little mats that we put our sheets on, and snuggle up with all our cockroach friends during the nights. The cockroaches here are literally the size of a normal middle finger – and they feel very welcome in all of our beds! The mice also feel very welcome to all of our things …even my shorts…when I am wearing them… The first night here I woke up to a little mouse having a midnight snack on my shorts. That was pleasant! The bugs here are definitely something that will take a bit of getting used to – but I am well on my way!

Aside from the initial travel mishaps, and getting settled, the Marshall Islands have been incredible. Way of life here is such an alternate reality, that it is somewhat challenging to wrap your mind around. The extraordinary beauty you see everywhere you look is belittled by the amount of trash everywhere. Driving down the road you see breathtaking views of ocean on one side, and the lagoon on the other, and a broken down almost entirely disintegrated pile of cars right on the beach. You see work trucks that might be twenty years old, immobilized on the side of the road because of rust – and that is where it has been since it broke down; and it is not likely that it will ever be moved.

Once you stop driving though, and get out of the car to meet Marshallese people, you are taken aback by their kind and enthusiastic nature. They treat you like a celebrity (I wasn’t sure how much that would be true when I was reading about it before I left, but it definitely is) and they try very hard to have conversations with you. The little kids coming running up to you, with the biggest smiles I have ever seen, bare foot and dirty, and practice every English word they know with you. They aren’t very good at teaching Marshallese - because they don’t know what the word we are asking them in English is – but they do their best to try and converse. Every night we sit out on the basketball courts with them and the girls play hand games while the older boys play basketball. Their culture is so lighthearted and authentic that it is truly a humbling experience to be around these people so much.

Running down the street each morning everyone is out on their lawns as a family and waves to say Yokwe. If they say much past that – I get lost and don’t know what to say back. A girl Erin, also a swimmer, and I have been running every morning and then go snorkeling when we get back. The ocean here is AMAZING. Going out into the ocean, swimming above all the coral and fish, I look around my self and am simply dwarfed by the spectacle of what might be the most beautiful place on earth. (At least the most beautiful that I have seen…but I am sure that that will change the more I see of this place!)

After running and snorkeling we have hours of language and teaching classes. As far as the language - it is definitely hard to get used to. Although it is much easier than Spanish and English because they don't conjugate many of their verbs, or use 's or 'ing', the sounds are very hard to make. Also, when I am practicing my Marshallese on the kids, I can't help but use half Marshallese and half Spanish. I don't know it its the just the fact that I know I should be using a foreign language and no English, but I use a very odd combination of Spanish and Marshallese. The kids probably think I am crazy! All of the classes and lessons get a bit tedious, but I am sure I will be completely glad we had all of them by the time I get to my island.

Well, that is about all I have time for right now. I don’t know when I will have internet again, but I will be sure to write again as soon as I can. I miss you all so SO much, and I can’t wait to talk to you. Getting used to not talking to people every day is hard, but is also refreshing in ways. I am sure I will get used to it soon…I have to!

Hope you all are doing well!

Love,
Taylor

PS - I forgot my camera cord, but I will be sure to upload pictures next time we come into town!

I finally made it to the Marshall Islands. After many MANY delays, we arrived to the RMI Airport at 12 PM on July 23ed. The flight was not bad and took just under 5 hours. The people of the Marshall Islands were very welcoming, and are one of the few populations that have a genuine love for Americans! They greeted us with flowers and handshakes (no hugs) and the 33 volunteers loaded on one bus, with 25 seats - 5 of which were broken – and drove the 15 miles to our home for the next 4 weeks. We are living in an elementary school and sleeping 12 to a room on concrete floors. We have small little mats that we put our sheets on, and snuggle up with all our cockroach friends during the nights. The cockroaches here are literally the size of a normal middle finger – and they feel very welcome in all of our beds! The mice also feel very welcome to all of our things …even my shorts…when I am wearing them… The first night here I woke up to a little mouse having a midnight snack on my shorts. That was pleasant! The bugs here are definitely something that will take a bit of getting used to – but I am well on my way! Aside from the initial travel mishaps, and getting settled, the Marshall Islands has been incredible. Way of life here is such an alternate reality, that it is somewhat challenging to wrap your mind around. The extraordinary beauty you see everywhere you look is belittled by the amounts of trash everywhere. Driving down the road you see breathtaking views of ocean on one side, and the lagoon on the other, and a broken down almost entirely disintegrated pile of cars right on the beach. You see work trucks that might be twenty years old, immobilized on the side of the road because of rust – and that is where it has been since it broke down; and it is not likely that it will ever be moved. Once you stop driving though, and get out of the car to meet Marshallese people, you are taken aback by their kind and enthusiastic nature. They treat you like a celebrity (I wasn’t sure how much that would be true when I was reading about it before I left, but it definitely is) and they try very hard to have conversations with you. The little kids coming running up to you, with the biggest smiles I have ever seen, bare foot and dirty, and practice every English word they know with you. They aren’t so good at teaching Marshallese - because they don’t know what the word we are asking them in English is – but they do their best to try and converse. Every night we sit out on the basketball courts with them and the girls play hand games while the older boys play basketball. Their culture is so lighthearted and authentic that it is truly a humbling experience to be around these people so much. Running down the street each morning everyone is out on their lawns as a family and waves to say Yokwe. If they say much past that – I get lost and don’t know what to say back. A girl Erin, also a swimmer, and I have been running every morning and then go snorkeling when we get back. The ocean here is AMAZING. Going out into the ocean, swimming above all the coral and fish, I look around my self and am simply dwarfed by the spectacle of what might be the most beautiful place on earth. (At least the most beautiful that I have seen…but I am sure that that will change the more I see of this place!) After running and snorkeling we have hours of language and teaching classes. It gets a bit tedious, but I am sure I will be completely glad we had all of them by the time I get to my island! Well, that is about all I have time for right now. I don’t know when I will have internet again, but I will be sure to write again as soon as I can. I miss you all so SO much, and I can’t wait to talk to you. Getting used to not talking to people every day, but part of the idea is refreshing! I am sure I will get used to it soon…I have to! Hope you all are doing well! Love, Taylor

RMI is now a Reality

Well, the RMI has already begun to show its true colors. The one functional plane that was left belonging to the Marshalls is now broken! We woke up this morning at 3:30, all ready to head to the airport and begin our adventure, only to find out that the plane is stuck in Majuro because it is broken. The RMI no longer has any planes to its name - only boats. That said, we now have an extra day in beautiful Hawaii! Our flight is now scheduled to depart tonight - after 8 PM sometime - but no definite departure time. A plane is being sent from Guam to Majuro and then to Hawaii. So, we will see... but I definitely wouldn't mind enjoying the Hawaiian scenery for another day - and having about my 3rd "LAST MEAL." I tend to keep saying, "Oh this is my last meal for a year, I have to make it a good one!" Oh well, I've had a lot of yummy meals at least!

One cool thing about being in Hawaii right now though is that the volcano of Kilauea is having minor eruptions and parts of it are visible from a distance! Apparently, it is continually spitting ash dust and lava into the air and the lava - when it meets the ocean - is producing steam so great that it is visible from space! We aren't close enough to see it up close - but we can still see the smoke at the top and are experiencing the weather that occurs when things like this happen.

Yokwe RMI!!

Hey everyone! Yikes, this is really happening!!! Right now I am on my plane to Hawaii, and have officially left the continental U.S. No turning back now!

Although most of you have heard at least a little bit about what I am doing, I figured now would be a good time to let you know what this is all about. In the most general sense - I am going to the Marshall Islands (South Pacific islands – made up of 29 atolls that total 70 sq miles) to teach English in a local school. The official language of the islands is Marshallese (a Polynesian language) however, English is the second language and is becoming more and more necessary for their economical success. For a little more information on the islands you can go to: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/rm.html. The program I am traveling with is WorldTeach and is a Harvard based non-profit organization.

My individual placement on the islands is on the atoll of Arno in Lukoj. Lukoj is one of 4 towns associated with Arno, and its population is roughly 100 people – with 40 of those 100 being kids. On Arno, I will be teaching grades K-8 English, and various grades in science, math and health. I am not sure how the latter 3 will go, not knowing the language and everything, but I am sure we will find out soon enough. The English abilities of the children range greatly, and it is going to be a definite challenge finding ways to teach subjects in English when they don’t understand the majority of what I am saying. But, that is the challenge I suppose!

The atoll of Arno is about an hour boat ride (16 miles) from the main island of Majuro. Majuro is a relatively developed city and has internet, restaurants, scuba diving, bowling, movies etc. The current energy crisis makes power a questionable subject at times – but when power is available the capital is generally up and running. This is the only island (except for nearby Ebeye) that has these amenities, and all other islands are considered outer islands. Some islands have solar power (sometimes), however none have internet or running water.

My island is considered an outer island – and has limited solar power – minimal running water, and an internet connection that allows you to send and receive e-mails - maybe. I am not sure how that works, but I am sure I will find out soon enough! We will catch rain water and gather it from springs and wells to get our drinking and bathing water, and our school has one generator. We will cook our meals over a fire and our meals will generally consist of: fish, breadfruit, pandanus, coconut, rice, and fresh, imported or canned seafood.

The community is very close knit and most of their free time is spent chatting with family and friends. The religion is predominately Christian, and they attend church every day. On the island I will be living with a host family (the father is the PTA of the school) and they have 7 children! It is going to be a full house, but I am sure it will be amazing! I am hoping they know only a little bit of English, because I think it would be amazing to learn the language as much as possible. (But I do hope they know some English so I am not totally in oblivion.)

As far as communication on Arno, there is very limited internet connection (only a possibility of e-mail if I can figure it out) and the best source of communication will be good old-fashioned mail! Letters and packages are shipped to my island on a regular basis and will come about every 2 weeks. I am sure I will absolutely LOVE getting letters so feel free to write any time!!! My address here is:

Taylor McFarlane
WorldTeach
PO Box 627
Majuro, MH 96960
Republic of the Marshall Islands

If you do mail a package, priority mail or flat rate boxes are the suggested means. It will generally take about 10-14 days to get to RMI and then about another week to get to my island. (so cookies probably wouldn’t make it! hehe) YOU HAVE TO USE A CUSTOMS FROM though. Even if the post office says that you don’t need one, YOU DO! They say that a lot, but if you don’t use one it will go by boat and take about 2 months! So you MUST use a customs form and write down what is in it. If it is a heavier package flat rate boxes are the way to go, and will only cost about 9 to 10 dollars regardless of weight. Priority mail is done by weight, and tends to be a bit more expensive. I am sure letters and packages will make my time SO much easier, so if you ever feel like writing definitely do! I can’t promise I will be able to write back immediately, but I will try my best to respond to all letters, e-mails and packages!

Well, that is about all of the information I can think of pre-departure, but I am sure there will be tons more in days to come! I also just wanted to say thank you to everyone for their continued support through out this entire process. It has been amazing to receive so much support from my family, my friends, Phil, SVGC, and everyone else that has wished me luck and been there for me over the past week! While I know this experience will be amazing, having everyone’s support through out will be incredible too! Thank you all again so much, and one last good-bye while I am still in the US! Next time I write I will be on the other side of the world in the South Pacific.

Miss you all tons already! Make sure to stay in touch!!!

Love,
Taylor