Week One Done

My first week of school at PVIS has finished. What a huge week.  I have a class roll of 32 but fortunately two haven’t  arrived yet. They are an eclectic bunch. For the teachers reading this, the majority are stanine 7,8, 9  (right ‘up there’ to the non-teachers).

The mix of Australian,  American, English,  French, more French and more French all called Leopold, along with Japanese, two identical Chinese boys (not related)  both called Eric, Korean, Ni-Vanuatu and a mix of everything else makes for a really interesting class. I am fast realising that there is NO way I will EVER be able to cater for their individual needs.

It’s going to be really hard work but already I know I am going to love them. They are hungry to learn. I’ve already explained that I was born last century and that they made need to actually teach me and they all seemed happy with that!!!!

I’m still living at the Kaiviti Hotel. I’ve looked at a few other places but none come close. It’s cheap (or should I say as cheap as you can get in this expensive country), includes power, phone,  internet and security, has a great pool, I can walk to the supermarket, town, yoga, church, the dive shop, eat at the restaurant if I want to and I have daily room service.  There are a number of other permanent residents who I like. It just seems rather weird to say I’m living in a hotel.

Another new teacher, Suzy from Australia is here with me and we have heaps of fun. I’ve been so lucky to have her and will be quite sad when she moves into a house at Mele beach when her husband arrives.  Some long term house sitting offers have come in and the Kaiviti will store my stuff free and not charge rent if I’m away. How reasonable is that!

Port Vila is REALLY expensive to live in. If you get a headache it’s $9 for panadol! I shop frugally and mostly at the market. There is no doubt that any visitor is best to find a  package deal with self catering accommodation.

The traffic is horrendous on cruise-ship day which seems to be every second day! It seems as if every Ni-Vanuatu with a van cruises the roads picking up customers. V150 (about A$1.50) to go anywhere.  I’ve learned that the friendly toots are not cos they think you are good looking but asking if you want a ride.. I can’t quite get use to not using seatbelts. I always try to put them on but mostly it’s a waste of time. This afternoon I got a lift with my principal in the front of her son’s ancient land rover. Talk about a squash...no seatbelts...dodging potholes...dodging cars...bouncing along...I’m glad she got to sit on the hand-brake and not me!

I’ve started going to yoga classes. We sit/lie/etc in a beautiful gym with the doors opened wide and watch the sun set as we do our moves. I’m by far the oldest and sweatiest but as long as I don’t see myself in the mirror I feel good being there.

I don’t want to bore anyone so I’ll save my ‘Finding the Faith in Vanuatu”  blog till next week’s blog.

I love hearing from everyone, please don’t feel insulted by a non-personal blog. School has to come first till I’m up and running.

Lukim U long taem

Ange

PS. I've been trying to put photos on this but the files must be too big. I'll drop some onto Facebook if anyone is interested.