June 3

ELZA MAULOOF INTERVIEW

I hope this download works. It is an interesting look at women in developing nations and I feel I can relate to some of it as they talk about Middle Eastern women in this part of the world some.

About her: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elza_Maalouf

The radio show: http://www.box.net/shared/static/yaq1zp6bu0.mp3

ISLAM

This blog is mostly about a reaction I had to something. You can see some of my experiences in examples given. Warning – you might not enjoy this read.

Someone sent me a video that was supposed to make me worry about President Obama being too close to the Islamic religion.

So, this is more about a mix of discussing Islam and discussing Pres. Obama’s approach.

I really don’t get the problem with all the “proof” that was presented about his connections. I think his speeches and comments about the Muslim faith and Middle East culture is a great strategy for bringing a bit more peace to the world.

When you go to another country, you need to help them relate to you so you can start a friendship. That is what he is doing I believe.

Example, I decided not to show my photos from America here, because the Maldivians are so poor compared to my middle class family. If I show them the pictures of my families’ homes, they would think I was so wealthy and I fear it would separate us more – not just language and looks and clothes, but then also money. What is the point of dividing people around the world?

Islam is in America and there are mosques in America. Is this news to Christians? Why does it scare them? There are Catholics, Jews, Mormons, Christian Scientist, and many others as well. If you feel your religion should be the only one, then just see if you can convert people to your way of thinking through sharing or example if you are so inclined. Don’t just put people down without understanding where they come from and what they are looking for in life. And if they don’t convert, why should this matter to you? Do you seriously think America is about to fall and will become exclusively Islamic? America will never force you to be one religion or another. Focus on living your best life and stop feeling like you need to control others or living in fear. It will get you nowhere you want to be I think.

Pres. Obama brings up quotes from the Koran…I didn’t hear those quotes, but actually, the Koran and Bible have a lot of the same stories and information and lessons I have been told by a devote Christian. Again, you can show how much alike you are in values and beliefs and that can bond people and build friendships and trust. Again, why would you want to do anything but build positive connections? Focus on what is good and educate people to see what is common.

Also, one needs to show that they appreciate another’s culture in order to build friendship; Pres. Obama does that in the video clips in my opinion. He talks about their cultural history and inventions. What is wrong with that? You show that you have educated yourself on their culture and why not appreciate the genius of any individual or groups no matter where they were born and grew up? Maybe they will look at America and say, “Hmm… they have good people and good things and an interesting history too. I can appreciate that.” Show them how to appreciate and accept facts without becoming fearful or defensive and they may do likewise.

It is shocking that I find there is such a lack of education by Americans on what people know about this part of the world, and I am shocked by what the SW Asians know about Western culture (I say SW Asians since that is where I am now). When I try to talk about things, they can’t relate to it. If the textbook talks about planting something in “early fall”, they can’t grasp what that means. There is no fall season here. There is only rainy season or sunny season. The concept of planting in a season left blank faces. When I said there was a dog riding in the car in a picture, they didn’t believe me. They don’t have dogs here and dogs are thought to be bad animals, so they can’t comprehend one being in a car. That may be hard for many reading this to grasp, but it is just a tradition and what they have been fed. They don’t know differently and they are unlikely to have the chance to experience any of these things since they live here and not in America. They even told me they don’t study Maldivian history or World history in school…maybe in sixth grade they had some class about something related my students told me. And sure enough, they don’t know the name of the Eiffel Tower though many knew of it. They couldn’t name anything that symbolizes Japan or other countries really. They knew the Taj Mahal and the Statue of Liberty (not by name) and that was about all. Another teacher said they asked about Maldivian history in the 1930’s or 1940’s and they don’t know about it. History and world knowledge is not something that taught or valued at this time here it seems. They are in a different stage of evolving here. We have to understand that coming from our stage in America. It would be nice if they expanded their knowledge, but we in America still have some expanding to do too.

An example of how we might not understand them: There was a taxi driver in Male who is extremely proud about his career. It seems near the bottom of the barrel in America perhaps, but when you hear his reasons you can understand his happiness. Before he worked at sea and was away from his wife and children most of the time for decades. Now, he can go home nightly and be with his family and he doesn’t have to answer to a boss anymore but only himself since he owns his car. It is cultural and life experience differences.

Another example is an American who said her approximately 7-year old was almost not accepted (or not accepted – I can’t remember) into a western school because they couldn’t pass an entrance exam. Example: Draw a line from the umbrella to the weather symbol. Draw a line from the letter to the building you go to mail the letter. Her child drew a line to the sun (since many countries like here use umbrellas daily to keep the sun off of oneself, and I am wondering if it is too windy when it rains to use an umbrella) and a line to the airport (since that is where they could send letters off – there wasn’t a post office where they lived so they went to the airport to get letters out of the country). The school couldn’t believe the mother’s defense of her son’s answers since they had zero exposure to other cultures and those answers were unbelievable in their minds. Even here, I can’t receive a letter at my home. There isn’t mail service. If I put the company address as my residence, I get a sticker that tells me to come to the capital city for my mail (or I assume the nearest city for other areas of the country). It s important for people to understand there are different types of environments and ways to do things. We need to understand and respect it just as the people here need to open their minds to other possible ways in the world.

The call to prayer is like a song in the quiet. What is wrong with saying it sounds beautiful like Pres. Obama did? In addition, it is a childhood memory for him, so that in itself may make it sweeter too. Do you find cicadas or a whippoorwill sounding wonderful – a reminder that summer is there? It is just a connection to your past that may have good memories. And the call to prayer is a chant so it sounds slow and musical. And if he can say it perfectly…well, I can say, “The weather is nice today, isn’t it?” in perfect Japanese and people mistake that I can speak Japanese based on that…It only means I have heard it enough that I picked up the right sounds. Especially children can pick up sounds easily; so Pres. Obama can reproduce what he heard several times a day as a child….I don’t see the fuss. But, I need to be understanding too - the Americans bashing his interviews have not experienced life in a Muslim country. They can’t comprehend the experience since they have nothing to base it on.

Back to the video: I understand someone being sworn into office with a holy item from their religion (in the case mentioned – a Koran) since that holds more significance to them, but I agree that a Bible would be good to add under the Koran (I am not sure if it was or not) since it represents the nation and would be a common representation of the swearing in process. But, wouldn’t you trust the person’s word more if they swore on something important to them more than on something that doesn’t hold so much if any meaning to them? I would. And, isn’t America about freedom of religion? Is that going to change and people will be forced to be Christian? Is that what people really want in America? Forced to worship a certain way and adhere to one standard?

I am glad I am not forced to practice Islam here. I wouldn’t want America to force their religions on newcomers either. I do choose to respect some of the customs here like not showing cleavage or too much skin. I don’t have to comply, I chose to since I can imagine their impression of people in shorts and tank tops looking like they just left their bedroom without clothes on! I try to dress fairly appropriately NOT because I am Muslim or because they are forcing me to; it is just a sign of respect and they will appreciate my show of effort I believe and it could potentially help future relationship with them and other foreigners they meet in the future or dissipate the negative words preached to them by some extremist. Why not do things that may have a positive impact?

I think it is because of their religious convictions that things are so peaceful here. If it weren’t for being reminded daily of some power greater and 10 Commandment type things that Christians have too, these people would be restless perhaps?! (Well, I think there are severe laws where you can be whipped for getting pregnant and such, so that controls people too, but that is another issue!) In fact, I have to watch my moods here in Maldives – it is hot, I don’t have lots of money (same as them), care of our health and safety doesn’t exist in many ways, food is not easy to get or prepare, you have to go elsewhere for good education and medical care, and there isn’t much for entertainment since everything would cost money. Isn’t it better they use religion to bring order and a feeling of comfort to their lives? It seems better than disrespect and unrest that could be occurring. Let them promote peace in the most effective way I say. Islam is here and already accepted so use it for something positive.

Yes, there are radicals. They are Muslim ones and they are Christian ones and they are more from other religions too. But they are the minority. The majority of people here do not approve of violence I am sure. They seem to want a peaceful life – build their own homes, start a business, become a manager at their current companies, and take care of ailing family members. This is what I have read n their English journals. They are just so poor that they can’t imagine they might fly on a plane, travel to another country, or own a car. I am sure they look at the rich countries like America and feel some envy…that is human nature though religions tell us not to envy. But that envy doesn’t mean they will promote the downfall of America…especially if they meet nice Americans and Europeans.

I don’t know how you will view this since I guess 2 people can look at the Obama clip and one sees something to fear and the other sees someone building bridges across cultures. So, one may see this blog and think I am defending Islam and putting down America where another will see that I am saying we should just all try to have patience, understanding, and help in peaceful ways to bond people so there can be a happier and more prosperous future. I am not saying I support Islam. I am saying it exists and it is serving a positive purpose. I am saying you can’t criticize most people on how they worship because they are likely doing what is passed down to them and it is just tradition and culture. And even if it is a choice, who are any of us to choose how another chooses to live their life if it doesn’t harm. And no, Islam itself is not harming just as Christianity itself doesn’t harm; it is just some people that take it to the extreme or try to force their beliefs on others.

I choose not to fear that America is being greatly influenced by Islam. I don’t think that fear is realistic. Is it possible to look at this from my perspective? Maybe fear makes things seem worse than they are. Try seeing Pres. Obama’s actions and words as a strategy for helping in the long run with international relationships and America’s economy and other such matters.

Do you have a better solution to help improve relationships with this side of the world? Does war really work better than friendships among people? And, can I believe the solutions you present to me? How much experience do you have to speak of how to create peace and co-existence among people? How many foreign friends and connections have you developed to prove to me you might have a better solution than Pres. Obama’s attempts? From my experiences of living abroad and from what I have seen in his life experiences, I trust that showing commonalities, appreciation for other cultures and people, and showing that you have personal experience in their cultures is the best way to open up talks on more difficult subjects and to earn respect that may lead to positive outcomes. I trust that non-Americans I have come in contact with everywhere will hesitate before criticizing or harming Americans because they will remember that I am a peaceful person and they will wonder if there are other Americans like me. They must question any negative propaganda. I am for the strategies I saw in the video clips sent to me.

I am tempted to go on, but I think it would veer too much from the video. I hate talking about religion and politics because it divides and causes negative emotions within and among people. I just felt compelled to try and put an end to what seems to be another attempt to put down someone who is trying a positive approach to massive problems. I fear that I have just created barriers in my personal relationship with some of you by voicing my opinion. I am deeply sorry if that is the case. Let’s just not discuss these topics if possible.

I think this is the address for the video if you want to see it: http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=tCAffMSWSzY#t=28

In hopes of a peaceful world,

Vickie

May 13

At Angsana Resort, they have Bodu Beru - a traditional drumming, singing, dance exhibit - weekly. Posing with them between songs.

Here is my student Arey performing. Arey is the one closest to the camera.

BODU BERU

It was nice to see something traditional other than what you find in the souvenir stores. :-)

SLEEP

Lacking. Can’t sleep in this new bed I’ve had since Saturday. I’m having nightmares for some reason too.

ROOMMATES

Nice people. Interesting lives! Americans but one grew up in Peru and they both lived there in the Amazon jungle for 15 years and now live in one of the emirates in UAE for the past 5 years. They have two young adult sons. The lady Bobbi recently got her Master’s in English studies and is talkative, respectful, and curious about comparing cultures like I am. The man Kevin isn’t afraid to pick up lizards and take them back outside. Oh, he is also a pilot and flight instructor and airplane mechanic. I like them!

They are teaching 2 hours a night in a special class formed for them. I hope to observe some Thursday night since I am off then. These other nights I am just too ragged and exhausted as I make it back to town drenched in sweat.

I hear there is another roommate moving in with me the first of June. She will stay 2 months. She has lived here before and is contemplating a complete move back with her family depending on how these two months go.

BODY

Something daily as usual. Had crick in my neck for days. Heels hurt on and off. Hips and knees too. And spurts of headaches the last two days. The rocking I had felt when I came here seemed to go away finally about 2 or 3 weeks ago, but it is back now this week with big waves and major boat rocking. Kind of feel sick recently, but I think I am just tired and not eating well enough.

NATURE

The other day I saw a dirt dauber (mud dauber?) and it had me thinking more about the nature around me. A dirt dauber's nature is the same everywhere in the world...as is my nature. They act here just as they did in Oklahoma on my dad’s farm. The butterflies look and flutter about like the ones we had in Virginia. People on the boats make smiling, funny faces with babies in the seats in front of them just like many do in lines in the U.S. My students write about their goals of making more money so they can build a home or start their own business. I am even acting the way I have always acted wherever I am traveling – looking for comfort and just being “Vickie” in my common ways. All parts of the world are truly the same – in nature and in people. But, culture and what our societies tell us is all that is making us different when it comes to values, beliefs, products, and ways of doing things. I can’t understand why people are always fighting. At the basic, instinct level, we are all wanting generally the same things and we are the same in our hearts. I saw a preview of a new movie “Babies” - or some title like that, and it is about the first year of life of 4 newborns in 4 parts of the world. From the preview, I think that people can see that, again, we are all just the same until we are socialized and made to think that their way of doing things is the right way.

WORK

I have been so busy trying to mark journals and return those that I haven’t had any free time. Sadly, all students didn’t turn them in on time, so that will drag out for some time… I haven’t been able to prepare like I want for classes due to that. So, this weekend I will try to catch up. Last weekend was spent getting lesson plans to Piper. I am still put off by having to do that when the book is set up with its own lesson plans. She tried to make me feel better by assuring me it was useful for her and future people to see. But…too much time is going to an unpaid position! I need some more free time that isn’t spent commuting.

I was surprised to hear today that David and Piper are no longer the directors. So, I now report to Bobby I think. I haven’t heard from Piper this week, but I thought it was her just giving us both some space since I have felt tension over the lesson plans and due to their sudden announcement that I had roommates moving in with less than 24 hours notice. But, maybe the distance is because she isn’t the director so she doesn’t have to deal with me. I don’t know, but it’s okay. Strange no one told me this happened several days ago… Oh, the reason presented to me – they need more teachers and Piper and David can teach and Bobby can direct this business while doing his tour business as well, so it just made logistical sense.

I wish though I could be involved with the testing at the newest resort. I would like to get my feet wet with testing again since I haven’t done it in years really…well, at GEOS we did it, but I think this may be more involved? I am not sure. But I felt some people were misplaced in the classes I have, so I want to see how they are assessing them.

TOEIC BOOK

Yosuke has started a major push on one of two books he will get out this year. So, I need to get on the ball and help edit some and try my hand at writing….Just so distracted with my little classes. I need to focus on what is important in the long run though.

However, I am thinking about writing and/or presenting something at the TESOL convention next March and with Lisya’s encouragement, I have been considering the topic of “Navigating the Cultural and Teaching Complexities in Japan and Maldives”. So, thinking about that too.

OVERALL

Love time with the students. Wish there were more to my life here...you just need money to do what I want to do - ride nice boats, get massages, eat well, etc. That is not the life of a native or local by any means. And they don't have entertainment in a cool environment! I asked about the movie theater and they said it is hot and the movies won't have English. They are just one screen theater from 20 years ago playing Maldivian movies which are in the style of Indian movies I heard. It's okay. I am very, very happy to be in the air-conditioning! I am not that sad about my life that I am willing to go out and be beaten up by the elements more! (See the boat ride blog if you want to hear about more encounters with nature.)

Boat Rides

Let me tell you about my harrowing experience tonight - May 12, 2010.

Background: Let me explain that rainy season is almost here, so the ocean is getting rougher each day it seems. Yesterday (not the experience I am going to tell you about…but stand by for that), the ferry ride to Male was even questionable. As we did that 25 minute slow ride, it sounded like something kept hitting the boat. During this time, I was contemplating how far I would need to swim to some shore or how to kick out the plastic windows if we overturned and had decided I wouldn’t be able to save anyone but myself with the distance I would have to swim. Yes, maybe I was over-reacting some, but the banging was unusual and the seasonal waves were really washing us around. Eventually, I ignored it since no one seemed to mind much. Then about 5 minutes from Male, we stopped in the middle of the water, far from things! It was unsettling at first since it was just out of the ordinary – everyone was quiet, the shipmate did something to the propellers I think. Anyways, after about 3 minutes, we were back in business.

About the other two boat rides to the resorts Tuesday and Wednesday were really rough! Tuesday we had this long open boat with benches along the side and it is not enclosed. (see random photo I had above – not the FedEx boat) The waves spray right up on anyone on the front half of the boat, but since there are about 24 on the boat, everyone can’t cower in the standing room back area. Anyways, that ride was wet for some and rough as we bounced along. All I thought was, “People pay Six Flags and other parks for wet log rides; I get it for free. Enjoy!” So, I tried to think of it like that – bouncing and being sprayed.

The ride on the speedboat today was really rough!! I thought then, “This ride is not for people with back problems.” - As the signs at amusement parks warn. It just bounced and jarred us terribly! About twice, it seemed to knock us unconscious for a second - that feeling of “pow!” and then your brain is jarred and everyone looks at each other with wide eyes, like “Wow, that was hard.” I just tried to stay off the wall since it seemed we were hydroplaning and then we would hit the surface every ten seconds or so and you didn’t know how hard you would bounce. My tail bone has felt it the last two days!

Now, to my boat ride home from the resort to Male tonight– we had a very old-fashioned styled boat with the curvy nose that might have something like a dragon painted on it, if they did such things here which they don’t, and the curls of tails on the back end which are the wooden paddle/guide (sorry I don’t know the names of things on boats). And luckily, the front is glassed in although it only protects the first 2 people in the front seats…except for what comes in around the door edges as waves hit it. I haven’t ridden in this style of boat before, but it is what came for about 30 of us staff members. It is the slowest of the slow ones. It takes 1 hour and 15 minutes on it compared to the speed boat which takes 25 minutes. We have some that fall in the mid-range of those. The captain was doing yoga like poses as we boarded since he would use his foot to move the paddle behind while he did things with his hands to work the engine. Then we were off. And again, we bounced a lot and spray came in all around, and the floors in the back were getting wet as it drug in the rear just above the surface. And, the big difference was the tilt! We rocked especially to the left like 45 degrees so many times I thought we would roll over! When you looked out the back behind the captain, the horizon was left, right, out of sight, in sight, tilted this way and that! Then the engine began sputtering about 55 minutes into the ride (20 from shore) and that is when I finally turned off my music and came out of my little world I was retreating to where I just thought of riding horses - “go with the rhythm of the ride and don’t fight it or you will just make your back hurt more” or with thinking of how I was flowing on a dance floor or cruise ship – just trying to escape and stay calm. But, when the other staff began chattering after one big tilt that brought the 2 brave ones from the roof racing down the ladder, I paid attention. And we couldn’t see out the front well and suddenly the guy next to me shouted and they cut the engines on purpose that time since a boat crossed right in front of us! We had several big rocks to the left and engine weak sputtering which were really scary. I had my eye on the coast guard ship in the distance, but knew we were too far from them for help if needed. And I had seen the lifejackets overhead when it was daylight and was hoping the shipmate would come by me so I could ask for one, but he never came and I was scared to stand up and not sure how to get them down. And, the canvas they had lowered over the windows on my side couldn’t keep the spray out any more and my side was sitting on the edge of our seats and leaning forward each time we saw a big wave coming. But, we made it to shore obviously! Though my hair and back were wet from the trip and it made the 3^rd day in a row I had to come home to wash the ocean water out of my hair after work!

From there, I walked to the ferry with my student Arey who visits his family once a week just past my jetty. I was just excited from the fright, but he said he wasn’t scared. However, he is 20 years old and probably not afraid of much! I know I am supposed to ride the staff boats, but I will ask for boats going with the guests from now on if the water looks rough. The guests get the speed boats - and life jackets are mandatory for them!! (We staff are dispensable?!) I noticed one guest boat leaving at the same time we did. I think it went to the airport but even though that would cost me triple the ferry charge to be dropped at the airport, it will be worth it. I will inquire about that next time!

So, I don’t know if I could convey the fear I have had on several occasions the last two days, but it has been “exciting”?? Scary for sure in my opinion.

May 6

One of the workers enjoying a ride on the wedding chair after the couple went to the sand bar for dinner.

This is after the wedding ceremony and they planted the coconut tree to represent their future growing love.
This is before they were finished decorating. It is not a Maldivian custom. Just for a fun ceremony.

This is how big their papayas are! I have never seen them so large.

OH! I wish I had time and energy to write daily! There are so many things I notice and I want to share, but by the time I write, I have forgotten them. Even trying to get a pen and paper from my purse is too troublesome since my bag is crammed full so I am reluctant to unzip it during my commute or it takes energy to get it closed again! (It is stuffed with materials for class…yes, a backpack would have been smart to bring. Buying things like that here are too expensive since they are imported and not worth it over this short stay.)

MALDIVIAN PEOPLE

I will start with the most recent. Today I had a Maldvian couple and baby come to my home to visit. They know the people I work with and were very close to Jean. They know I love the traditional Maldivian breakfast called “masuni”? (like tuna salad but contains coconut), so they brought me some and I shared the last of my Japanese sakura cake with them. They visited for more than 2 hours and I look forward to their next visit.

INDIA

I learned so much about southern India since the wife had studied there for 3 years. It is interesting that I find Maldives such a challenge to live in, and they find India to be terribly difficult! And, I have to say, the life here is much, much better than India! They would often lose electricity (here I have only been without once for 15 minutes). They would lose water for 2 days at a time often but once for 7 days! (I don’t have hot water here but it hasn’t been a big burden not to have it.) The shops there all closed at 8 p.m. and the streets become dark so you can’t go out for things then and the taxis will charge at least double to drive you at night (I can go to markets and restaurants til 11 p.m. and the street lights are never all out at once and the taxis around here seem to have only one price though I haven’t checked that thoroughly. Oh, the heat is a bit more bearable at night without the sunlight and I don’t get home from work til after 8 so the shops open are a good thing). In India, well-to-do men with cars and dressed nicely would get out and urinate on the street and no one paid any mind to it (here I only saw some men in the bushes along my way to the ferry and I wasn’t sure if they were using the restroom or getting up from a nap). And the worst was the smell in India from cow, goat, and elephant dung everywhere. (Here there only cats and the stench from the dumpsters on one end of town…and the visual trash eye-sore.) So, I have it better!

Oh my gosh, I think we should be pushing for more human rights in India too. The women in some areas are so mistreated!! The story they told me was about a real life situation 19 years ago that was made into a movie is awful. I don’t know how wide spread this is, so I can only talk about this one area. In this area, baby girls are typically killed at birth since they are a burden to the families (think of dowries when they are married off and such). This one area killed off almost all girls, so the men had to go to other towns to look for wives. One family had lost their mother and there was left the father and his 5 sons the youngest who was around 18 years old. The father went in search for a wife for them and he found this one 14 year old girl (around that age) and they made her marry all five sons! I could go on, but you can imagine the terrible things she had to endure. I don’t want to repeat it. But things like that are allowed!! Well, there may be laws against it, but they are not enforced.

And if a woman is told to marry someone and then if they are even at the alter with all guests present, if the dowry is not satisfactory, the wedding can be called off and the woman’s reputation is (somehow??) tainted so she is unlikely to be asked for marriage again!

MY ISLAND - HULHUMALE

They pointed out to me that the population on my island is about 50% Bangladesh workers doing the building and working in the cafes. They said I have to learn the difference between the two because they do not represent the Maldivian people or standards.

MUSLIM PRAYERS

And, I learned more about the prayer customs 5 times a day. They are reciting passages from the Koran silently as they do the standing and kneeling and head to the floor routine. The first of the day is a repetition of 4 times and the other times of the day are 3/4/4/2 I think…I have already forgotten! It only takes like 5 minutes to do it. And the call over the loud speakers is in Arabic. It is like a chant saying “come and pray” and some more I think. I think he said all Muslims here can read and write Arabic although they might not be able to communicate with it. And, there is a portion of the mosque for women, though I have never seen a woman go in. They say usually the women do it at home while the men do it at the mosque. And, if they are not able to do the prayers at any point in the day, they can make them up at home later. And you are excused from doing it if you are on a boat or some other things like that (though one of the crew members does it every night at sunset like I think I mentioned long ago so I have had the great opportunity to see the ritual performed close up). And on TV, they put like a 5 second notice up on the screen to let people know when it is prayer time. And on Fridays (their holy day), the stores are allowed to reopen after 2.5 hours for the special long “services?” / “prayers?” (I forgot to ask why it is so long then) since making money and work is also important.

FAMILY

When naming a child, it must be a name approved by the government! It has to meet Islamic acceptance! So, they couldn’t officially name a baby “Vickie”! It could have that nickname though. And the naming always occurs 7 days after birth. And traditionally, they slaughter an animal for that ceremony. But the couple that came here thought it was pointless to do it here, so they had a family member living in India slaughter a goat and then give the meat to the poor! Isn’t that a great thing?! So, they could meet the tradition, but help the hungry.

Breast feeding is the norm and encouraged for a baby’s health. If the mother cannot give milk, someone else in the family will. For example, the lady’s cousin just gave birth but can’t give milk yet, so she went in for several days to feed that lady’s child!! I think she said that that new mother’s mom had fed her when she was a baby too, so it was her turn to return the favor. And breast feeding can be done for years for a child since they won’t force the child to quit.

Having a baby outside of wedlock is such a sin here in Maldives that a woman will be lashed at the courthouse (for public humiliation) like 100 times (I think that was the number) on the back (after she has the baby), and then put in jail with other criminals for 3 months while the baby is put in a special home til she is released! In the old days, she would be under house arrest for 1 year. Wow…is human nature so terrible that we should torture people for following natural desires that doesn’t hurt another?

Did you know that more than one wife is allowed here?! A Bangladesh janitor I see weekly at the classroom asked about my family so I was showing him 3 pictures of them on my computer. When he saw my brother’s family, he said “1 wife?” and I said “yes” just thinking he was trying to make conversation with almost zero English abilities that he has. Then this week, a student said something about his wives and I thought it was a joke but my Japanese student told me about the multiple wife situations here! So, I went and talked to that student more. He was joking and only has one wife, but he said it is legal to have as many as you can financially support. I wonder if it happens often. I will have to ask my new friends here. I wonder because I heard that the apartments that have these 2 or 3 bedrooms are actually used by several families, not just one! I imagined 2 or 3 couples with their kids, but now I wonder if it is just one husband with several wives and their children??

WORK WEEK

I cannot get used to saying “Sunday” in my Sunday class! I keep saying “Monday” and they keep correcting me. I asked them if they knew why I did that. No one could guess! They understood after I explained that our work weeks in America and Japan are Monday through Friday not Sunday through Thursday.

WORK

I feel too busy. I give tests weekly at Reach’s request to prove student’s progress, and grading and advising the individual students is too time consuming… I prefer individual attention to their specific problems, so I wonder if I am cut out for this group lesson gig. So, I will cut out testing and stick to the massive amount of homework I assign and check…that will still overwhelm me! And, to top it off, they are asking me to submit lesson plans. I had stopped creating them since it was easier to just put post-it notes on each page of the books to remind me what to say or do since we have to cover like 10-25 pages in less than 2 hours each week. So…I will be doing that most of the weekend…but have to work on job things too. An application for LA is due this month and I haven’t even had time to start it. (okay, I could forego the blog right?! But these are things I don’t want to forget…)

I also need to get to work on Yosuke’s next TOEIC book. He is hoping I will work on some writing for him, but I haven’t even started that…and next weekend I worry I won’t have all the homework checked so my time will go to that…I am too dedicated to each student….but they need it! I want to give extra work since some of them are overachievers too, but it takes time to go find exercises for them to do. (one finished the whole book already and asked for more to do!) and I need to create bonus work for others who are failing terribly…such a range of abilities in one class.

Jean left Thursday morning back to South Africa. He loved it immensely here and hopes to return some day. He made lots of friends, learned some of the language, and just took this in completely. I think it was his second living abroad situation. Before he lived in England while in school.

At Banyan Tree Resort, a couple was doing their wedding vows! I put a picture of that above too. Some of the things related were that they carried in on a chair, they had their names in flowers and candles, they planted a coconut tree since their love will grow like the tree will, then they jetted off to a sand bar for a private dinner at sunset with her in her wedding dress! We were in class at the time, but our window looked right out at the coconut tree area. So, I couldn’t get pictures at the time it was happening.

LIFE

I was invited out tonight by the British girl again, but said no since I can’t see me having any time to do all I need to…and I worry that I am about to lose Internet access on Fridays and Saturdays since they are thinking to rent out the classroom to a photography studio on the weekends! So…I don’t know how I will do my searches and get grades done and do my personal things in just the few hours each weekday I can go to the office (and find the Internet working). I know I could have purchased Internet at home, but they said it could take a month to get it and now it is just not worth the hassle of securing it. So, I’m not too happy right now.

HEALTH

Daily there is something else wrong with me. Amazing! Yesterday my elbow felt strained from carrying my heavy bag in my hands (since my shoulders are hurting from always carrying it that way). Earlier in the week it was my knee that felt like it might pop out of place. There were bumps on my eyelid. There was more pain in my heels and shin. And the ant bites may be subsiding but they still are completely red and look awful and itch still some. And there was more but I forgot now.

FOOD

I am not going hungry anymore though it would be a little good for me! Tonight I had homemade pizza at Piper’s home. Very good. And…I am learning some things that I like though they are not necessarily healthy but they are easy. I did buy a papaya and as you can see in the picture, they are huge here. They are much bigger than the pineapples that I don’t want to buy anymore since they are so skinny. Oh, and I saw miniature pineapples too…not sure the point of those since there isn’t much there after you cut all the eyes and core out. Though I am sweating like crazy during the day and walking for about 1.5 hours at the minimum, I don’t think I am losing weight anymore.

WEATHER

It was a little cooler Wednesday night as I came home. I could see rain in the distance so I guess that cooled it off, but it still must have been 88 or more and who know the heat index. But, it was a little bit of a relief for my walk home. Luckily for me, I haven’t had to walk in the rain yet. I hear it can come up to your ankles when it is heavy since it can’t drain off the streets easily. And they say because of global warming, they don’t know when the rains will come yet since nowadays there are just patches here and there instead of all over at once. And last year, it didn’t rain in rainy season but did later and the tourists were not too happy since they pay different prices for different seasons.

OVERALL

I was looking around the other day and thought there was so much that would make an incredible “foreign film” since there are many sights and sounds that are unfamiliar to Americans. And I have met some passionate people here that could talk about different things like the coral reefs, feelings about other cultures, or the concern over the attitude towards education here and the loss of their language . Many people here seem to be great story tellers. I can’t understand sometimes since they may be speaking in Dhivehi, but they captivate the listeners and I wish I knew what they said. That is different from Japan where people didn’t seem to tell stories if they were sitting around – only small, polite talk.

Those are some differences – in Japan, people were seen reading books on trains and everywhere; they didn’t talk much to other people; and with English, they are educated I think but not comfortable producing verbal language. Here, I never see a native with a book (once I saw a foreign woman with a book and maybe 3 times saw students reading worksheets – not much since I see many people on ferries daily); people talk easily and some of my students are SO creative in making up stories; and they don’t seem to be as educated about English grammar, but you can’t get them to be quit talking long enough so you can point out their mistakes. Knowledge and Usage issues….

And, I am learning a lot about myself. Challenges are super hard, but you can learn a lot quickly about who you are when you throw yourself into other environments with new personalities and activities. I have lots of self-improvement to do I can see! I think I am about through learning from this experience…though, even returning to America will be another challenge since I have been gone so long! Just talking to the Americans here I can see that I am really out of it culturally, technically, and in interpersonal interactions. Or, maybe a lot of that is the age difference…I felt disconnected from the 20 something year old ALTs in Japan too. And many of the foreigners here are young too…I think most are 30 or younger.

April 30

-Male Airport Thursday night-

JAPAN

Did I announce to everyone how many great friends I had in Japan?!?

Last night I saw my old Japanese student / friend and her husband at the airport. I am so thankful for those 15 minutes or so that we had! I don’t know why it meant so much to me, but it was the highlight of my week for sure! I would have cried when their speed boat pulled out if I had been alone. I missed them immediately.

And, I used to think the Japanese gift giving was too much and a waste of paper since they wrap things a hundred times and a waste of money to just buy gifts, but I am SO grateful for the Sakura (cherry blossom) castella (sponge) cake she brought me! It is wrapped one hundred times, but she got it to me without a wrinkle despite all their luggage and bags! Amazing! I would have had the bag torn and crushed had I been carrying it! I will completely delight in eating it and think about the spring I missed in Japan.

Again, I am grateful for the good friends and great students/friends I had in Japan. I had many great evenings at KWYC, many wonderful talks with some of them, and everyone was always so helpful and kind to me. I miss it so much right now.

I know I have the opportunity to make new friends here, but I am not interested for some reason… strange since many of the people I meet speak some English as opposed to most people I met in Japan! I know a part of me just doesn’t know their feelings about Americans, so I am unsure of their preconceived ideas. In Japan, I knew that Americans were generally liked. Here when I asked some students if they had been to America, they just laughed at such a question. I am not sure if it is because they wouldn’t dream of going to such a country because they think we are terrible, or if they are just so poor that to travel anywhere outside of Maldives is unimaginable. I didn’t think to ask that since I was shocked by their laughs. In Japan, people travel a lot and many have been to America and thus they want to improve their English due to their trips. But it is different here…

About speaking English, even my next door neighbor tried to talk to me today and her English was perfect, but I was feeling down, so I gave short responses to her questions. Later I regretted not following her lead and making conversation. I can’t blame the other foreigners here, but with some of them I tried to make conversation and it felt like they were bored and annoyed by my attempts. So, I had decided not to talk to people much and keep to myself more…but, maybe I should just stop talking to most foreigners! And, I should be my usual self with the locals…? Yes, maybe that is what I should try. But I wish I knew their preconceived ideas so I know how to approach them. Let’s see how I feel later though. Right now, I am just thankful I could see the Satos and wonder whether or not we have time to meet again; they are out on island I might not be able to get to since I am not a guest there.

TEACHING & ME

I think it is becoming more apparent that I am best suited for small group classes or individual adults that are self-motivated to learn. The level doesn’t matter to me but I prefer not to have mixed levels. And, I need lots of one-on-one time with them so I can give them individual service in their writing and speaking practice. It is not easy to find customers that can support my living that way, but that is what I prefer and I think those that like me appreciate that about me too. I am more the “let’s be friends and let me correct and introduce things to you” type… So, I don’t fit the mold of maybe what is needed in the majority of teaching situations, but that is me. I have been around some other teacher types here in Maldives (and on occasion in America and Japan) and they are just so self-assured and “in charge”. That is not my personality at all, but if you are in charge of large groups or of children, that seems to be the personality needed. So, I am a little worried about my applications to any jobs that won’t allow me time to work one-on-one or in a very small group. I wonder where this will put me… I do want to try proofreading more too. Yosuke asked me to help with his next TOEIC book on several levels, so I am excited to work on that too! I may need to drop by Japan this summer to work on things with him and just to be there once more…I was ready to leave there in March, but I feel I just need to know I can go back anytime. It is like weaning myself into my home culture again!

Sigh…but maybe I should move back to Japan…I just can’t do JHS again or the weekend language schools…there must be something better for me…no, I need to go try America for awhile since I do miss the conveniences and abundance there and because the other international applications I put out have not responded yet…Let’s see.

April 29

The ferry station for my island Hulhumale:

This is peeking around the corner at the ferry dock and ferries – not the entrance.

This is as I am walking up to the ferry station. The bus stop is there in front of it.

It has been over a week since I wrote! I just got hung up on other things and read “Becoming Madame Mao” – loved it. Let’s see what is on my mind…?

CLASSES

Angsana is great. I love the small class size (was 6 / 5 now) but really sad to see my Indonesian student ( a chef) drop out. He had a family emergency so he had to leave the country. He studied really hard and I liked him for that. The Japanese woman is great to have there since I feel at ease with her and another student is serious and I like that. Two others seem unhappy and one is a clown of sorts. I like them all but wish the two would be happy to be there. They are the youngest though.

Banyan Tree is a full class; I think there are 12. I am happy I just about have their names down! Only 2 of them I get confused still. It is interesting that the two Thai women don’t know many of the words that Maldivians know. It is good though having the Maldivians try to explain things (ex: “kidney” or “liver”). And it is interesting to note several times how against alcohol the Maldivians basically are. Of course it is illegal here and against Islam, but they have to serve it at the resorts. Some wrote that they hate serving it and yesterday one of them was pointing at everyone shaking his finger saying, “Liver disease! Don’t drink! Don’t drink!” I wish one student wouldn’t be so annoying in class! The levels are only slightly mixed but I wish we could separate by age sometimes…I have an old man in that class, and he is lost but with the young guy acting stupid and yelling things it is difficult for him to catch what is important unless I write it on the board.

Bandos is different and I am far from remembering all of their names! I started there during my 3^rd week and I am about to start my fifth week here. I think it is a 3 or 4 star resort, I hear the pay is lower than my other resorts, and the overall ability of these workers seems to be lower. Even their manners are not as strong as at my other resorts. Half the students are polite, thoughtful towards me, have great manners, and can catch what they should be doing in class, but the other half do not fit that description. So, I think it is interesting to realize the hiring standards and important to know what kind of company you will work for! If I were a worker, I would want to be at the other 2 resorts where they apparently train the staff better, are more selective in hiring, and they take better care of the workers (like nicer boats to ride in). Oh, and I think it opened in 1974 and is the 2^nd oldest resort in Maldives.

I think I mentioned this before, but the Maldivians I am working with seem to understand a lot of English less some vocabulary here and there. But their production is iffy. They get the structure and tenses mixed up a lot. Verb agreement is weak. I guess that can be said of many ESL learners, but it seems more true than in Japan.

Two huge differences from Japan are the acceptable behavior in class and the creativity. You tell them to make up a story about a picture (or you don’t want them to and they still will!) and they will just come up with all kinds of things! “She is looking for a husband.” Always: “He was playing soccer, and…”, “It’s a lamb in the back seat of the car.”, and so forth. It is funny to hear their ideas when I wouldn’t have thought such things at all! And the Japanese were not creative or perhaps they just wouldn’t speak if they did have ideas. And about talking, they are not shy! They are loud and want to be heard above anyone else! It is a nice change from Japan in those ways, but they don’t know how to take turns, be polite to let weaker students try, or even how to do “typical” exercises. For example, there was a Word Bank. They couldn’t comprehend taking a word from it and filling in the sentences. I would show them how to cross off the first word and then look for another word, but that wasn’t getting through the first day! They would just want to think up their own words and answers! I think they all have it now. But, it is interesting to see that activities we used in Japan or America are not typical here. Someone told me that they are used to just sitting and being lectured to and not doing exercises to think. I am not sure.

That brings me to another lesson I have learned (and should have learned years ago but think it has finally really sunken in) – DO NOT believe everything other people observe! Sadly, I guess that means you can’t trust all I am telling you either, but everyone seems to have their take on what is true in this world, and then I find it is not like what I was told. I won’t give examples here, but it is true. Everyone has their reality that they see. And those beliefs help them (me too) make sense of the world or help in the functioning there within, but it might not be fact or more likely, just not even 80% true… So, I am taking what people say into consideration, but no longer believing it out right.

EXPATS

I met some more people. Sarah the editor of Maldivian Traveler met me for dinner and brought her new colleague Neil. They are both from the U.K. and I couldn’t catch 20% of what they said! I had to ask them to repeat several times and it was work to follow them! Funny that we speak English but yet it can be so difficult to understand!

Sarah knows everything about Maldives it feels like! She has had to go to resorts, restaurants, and spas so she could do write ups on them! She hates massages, so she is like “I had to go.” – and she is complaining! Tomorrow they are spending 24 hrs at a resort as extras for a German drama being filmed!! They get to ride a sea plane, get meals, and paid $60! I wanted to go but they didn’t need anymore and I am not sure I had the clothes for the scenes since I only brought island type things – not something for a dinner party or white party. There are 2 more days of filming in Male, but I have to work those days. I could use the money though! Oh, we went to another new restaurant for me – Ailoi I think it was. It was really nice looking with good food that was in the $8-$15 range (fairly high for this country). But, I just can’t handle these outdoor cafes yet. I was just sweating all thru dinner yet the others seemed to be fine…

The Swedish guy that went to the Picnic Island with his family and all of us is now teaching 2 classes at Bandos too instead of Piper I think. He says the level is good for him since English is not his first language. He was a scuba and psychology teacher before I understood, but he said it is hard to get a job in scuba if you are not willing to live at the resorts. He has only been diving twice since here! Sad but without money, this place isn’t so great I think!

Speaking of that Sarah is suggesting many things we can do – places to eat, resorts to go to, but I feel I have to turn it down mostly since it is all money…You can drop $20 a meal easily here and though that wasn’t much before, it is when you don’t know when you will get real money again…and I forgot, I haven’t even bought a ticket to leave here! That was $1,200 to fly in, so maybe I need at least that to get out! I can see savings are slowly draining…

I guess I knew the financial side of this when I came, but I am disappointed since I imagined this to be a working vacation of sorts, so I thought it was worth it to pay the airfare plus insurance and such since I would have to pay something similar for a vacation too. But, this hasn’t been the dream I imagined. Perhaps if I had come with a friend it would have been a blast even without money, but trying to bond with new people for a short time or doing things alone (plus all the issues I have – see”Health” below) make it not the dream working vacation I had envisioned.

OBSERVATIONS

I wish I would take pictures of the average people on the street, but I feel shy to take random photos of them. Maybe I will one day. Here in Hulhumale, it is different than Male where there are crowds of people and I would just be one of many tourists. But here I stand out since it seems to be more like a community where everyone knows each other. I wish you could see it here though since the women’s clothing is varied yet almost all adhere to some form of the Islamic rules.

Someone asked why people stood around on the corners. I am not sure. I think they work but maybe they are on break? They own their own business so they have workers working instead? They have a day off? I am not sure.

And why don’t I go to Male when it is dark if it is so hot to sightsee in the day? I was told that drugs and violence are a problem there and if I am alone and happen onto a street without many people, I can be robbed or attacked for money, so I was told to only go to places I know by taxi. So, I don’t go for that reason, AND it is still miserably hot at night! It really doesn’t change much though you don’t have the sun beating down on you.

I did wonder another block over as I waited for my boat and found the National Museum (tiny building!) and the Sultan’s Park which must have been fantastic in its day, but not it is crumbling and overgrown with weeds through the cement and such. I heard it was best to take a translator to the museum, but I may go some day.

There seems to be more clouds every day. It hasn’t rained much yet but I guess it is gearing up for rainy season? However, someone told me that last year it didn’t rain during the usual rainy season so it was a problem. Tourist avoided the time they expected it and came when it did actually hit! He said you can see the climate changes affecting this area in such ways. And the bleaching of the coral is bad. My student said it is sad to look out and see the heat bleaching it so badly and slowly killing it off.

I feel I have a hard time adjusting to life here for many reasons but those include the music. All my music I brought just doesn’t fit in! I try listening to Salsa, Beach Boys, hip-hop, 1950’s - 2006, or ANYTHING and it just feels totally out of place. I am sure that sounds silly to think about such things, but it really is strange. I am in a totally foreign place where I don’t think they have ever heard the music I know and I don’t know what I am hearing at times during the commute. Their music fits! It is like Arabic, Turkish or something. I guess I should buy some, but I just don’t want to spend the money or try to figure out how to download it. But, it sounds fitting and all my music just doesn’t belong with what I see visually. Strange that would be true.

APARTMENT

Mixed feelings – It looks nice and is nicer than some places I lived in America, but the quality is so poor. I worry the chair I sit on will break one day since it sways, the bed has spots all over it that poke me, the fixtures in the bathroom have or are almost black though they should be silver, the AC isn’t incredible, and you just never know about bugs. And this is a brand new place with brand new furniture. But, I am happy to have my own place, and it feels western in some aspects of design and some of the furnishings. Japan’s apartments were better in some ways and worse in others. But I miss my kitchen and shower in Japan! It was so easy to care for there.

Clothes dry fast! Within 3 hours things are dry in here with the ceiling fan on and windows closed at least.

Piper lent me a hair dryer this week and I look forward to using it. Tiffany will loan me an iron and I hope I can manage without an ironing board. I really needed the iron. I have a pot and skillet, but still no gas to cook with. That’s okay though. I don’t want to spend time on food preparation though it might be cheaper than eating out? And I have some fresh things we bought in Male, but I don’t have storage jars to put them in when I cut them, so I am just trying to eat anything I open / cut at once. I invested in so much in Japan and left it (same in America), and I know I am not here long, so I just don’t want to invest in lots of items (and in cases like Japan – have the trouble of getting rid of it all when I move!).

HEALTH

Oh, the problems…I am tired of not feeling well. The most troublesome are my feet I assume for extreme walking or I guess it is from wearing shoe styles I am not used to. Luckily there aren’t hills I have to walk here though! But, the center of the heels hurt with every step. The left ankle hurts when I bend it sometimes (especially Tuesday I didn’t know how I was going to go to work Wednesday) and the shin is sensitive to the touch. I think I have a spider bite on the back of my leg since there are clusters of bumps. I didn’t wear long sleeves or sun block Wednesday and although I used my umbrella, I have Braille arms from reaction to the sun. There are small bumps on my scalp for 3 weeks. I can’t seem to stop sweating even when I am sitting in the night for over an hour. The water tastes bad to me and even the brand I did like now tastes bad to me. Trying to get fresh fruits and vegetables is a huge ordeal in Male that may or may not end in finding what I want. After like 5 stores Monday we found a browning cluster of broccoli. We never found spinach - and not one good avocado or soy milk. I haven’t been able to sleep again. When I first came I was able to get 8 hours of sleep, but now I am having trouble again. And I could go on with more issues but…the point: I am not cut out for “roughing it”, for wearing sandals, or for being flexible. Japan was always hard for me too since you can’t just go and buy kale or berries or anything you want. These experiences are making me think that America is just incredible and VERY privileged! Maybe the U.K. or other places are too; I haven’t been so I can’t comment. But the cities in America are amazing if you are at least middle class.

OTHER

I am bummed that I have to go exchange the last of my dollars I can afford to spare. My old student from Japan is flying through the airport though and I want to try and see her even if just for a few minutes. So, the 10 cents I have won’t get me to the airport! Oh no…I can’t pull up her airline to check the arrival time…I hate to go out there and wait and wait if she was delayed and I don’t know it…will have to wait almost 2 hours as it is…

Thankfully the Internet is working again on my PC. It stopped last night right when I finally reached my mom after several days! That was disappointing.

Jean’s last day is next Thursday. There’s a going away party for him Saturday night.

April 18

This is Jean, his sister Claudine and mother Matthea, his good friend Remas' wife and daughter, and of course me at Jean, Piper, and David's apartment.

BANDOS

I had my first day at Bandos and it was very different from the other resorts I work at. It seems much larger! They had news video updates in the lobby, several restaurants, a pool, lots of boats in the dock, large conference halls, and so forth. It is the second oldest resort in Male, but I don’t know how old it actually is.

They are not tight there! I am allowed a drink when I arrive, bottled water for my class time, and dinner with drinks before I leave! Dinner…was…amazing! There were tables and tables of food and I only had 20 minutes or so to scarf it all down, but it was great! The salad bar was still bad since they just don’t have the greens here…I had iceberg lettuce with corn, tomatoes, olives, and cucumbers basically…but it was salad…I had cabbage with cheese, steamed broccoli with butter, tuna salad, spaghetti , and some other things. The mixed fruit juice drink was incredible! Here is their website and you can see a picture of part of the restaurant I went to here: http://www.bandosmaldives.com/dining/English/gallery_restaurant/

I do have to watch the boat issue. It was an 8:00 boat return but they left at 7:50! And we got on at 7:48 and it was already full and someone gave their seat up for us since I was wearing white and hated to sit on the floor or metal bars. So, as Jean told me, we have to leave the restaurant at 7:40 at the latest! They don’t wait and the next boat is 10:30 or 11!

Jean will only go about 3 more times with me to Bandos, and then I am on my own to find the waiter that knows not to charge me or to find the boat to catch although there isn’t a name written on the side. But, I am really happy with the day and it makes me long to work at the other place my 5^th and 6^th days a week so I can have nice meals like that!

CLASSES

The director of training is not really on top of things I think. The students said they didn’t know when the class was to be held! So, poor communication with employees. My large class was about half Maldivian and half Bangladeshian. I think 11 out of 15 came to that. The smaller class had 4 out of 11 attending…they were all Maldivians.

The director seemed really shocked that I was not presenting with Power Point like Jean does. It would be good experience to get back into Power Point like I used to do at UCM, but I don’t think I want to take the time to create it since it will be a onetime event and I am more into learning by doing instead of lecturing – you know activities acting out the lesson point so they can feel they can use it on their jobs. It seems they may have a laptop I can use though, so I might see about using it to type things on the screen for the students; writing on the small white board is not very neat or quick. So, I would like that option perhaps. I will check into that.

HEALTH

I have not felt up to par recently. I think it is the change in diet the past 2 months. I am concerned about that actually. Land of the fried foods is not great for me. Also, I have a rash on my leg which may be related to the rusty razor I discovered today! I couldn’t believe it rusted so quickly! I will have to watch out for that from now on.

PARADISE

I am in paradise. What is paradise? It is sunny skies without clouds in sight that cause you to sweat like never before and walk really slow to keep from heat stroke; it’s drinking fruit juices while overlooking the harbor in a small, well-decorated restaurant although you are paying $4 for a 50 cent boxed drink which comes with the coveted AC for a short bit so you can recover; a place where nature is free and ants are everywhere you want to sit and found on your dinner plates as well; a place where you skim across the ocean waves on speed boats or classic wooden crafts you imagine are from the 1950’s which are terribly rough on your tush and back as it bounces you against the railings if you are lucky enough to get a seat at all that isn’t spraying you with questionably clean ocean water; it is where wind blows through your hair blinding you as your tresses whip your face and makes you a mess upon arrival; it’s a place where everyone is relaxed and not in a rush and you can’t get decent products or service in a timely manner because some woman in black Middle East attire wants to argue with the service people about the price of some item...or that is what you assume the loud voice and picking up and putting down of some product is about. Yes, this is paradise. And I will take it despite all the pitfalls because as Jean reminded me – this is better than sitting in a windowless office doing eye-straining paperwork day in and day out. I know that feeling and yes, this is much better! Looking out across the ocean at Male which appears like a city sitting floating on the water, or looking at the sunset over the water, or looking up at the brilliant stars as the boat speeds on - trusting that the boat owners will get you there in one piece – is…amazing. So, it isn’t exactly as I imagined it would be, but it is all the good of paradise imagined … with the bad of discomfort and reality, just like everything in life.