Inauguration Festivities . . . .
The past three days have been a blur of activity and festivity surrounding the inauguration of our new Governor and Lt. Governor, as well as the 7th Yap State legislature.
Sunday evening was a welcome dinner and reception aboard the Mnuw, a Spanish-Galleon type wooden boat moored in the harbor that serves as our local brewery, bar and restaurant. It was packed to overflowing with some 100 people crowded onto the top deck for a happy-hour type of opening, drinking Manta Gold and whatever wine or drinks people wanted. The VIPs had seats reserved on top, and Danka was working as the official commissioned photographer, so I hung around the perimeter, avoided falling 80 feet down into the harbor, and cheerfully chatted with colleagues here in Yap and from overseas. Many delegations came from Palau, the other States and national government of the FSM (notably, our national Secretary of Justice, Marstella Jack, and the national Comunication, Transportation and Infrastructure Secretary, Andrew Yatilman, came).
Everyone was in high spirits, though as it got later, I was sitting with my current colleagues in the outgoing government, all toasting their upcoming "expiration." We enjoyed a huge buffet, though all I managed was a little sashimi and pork from the fully-stocked and catered buffet. Danka finally got me out of there before midnight, though I understand many of the VIPs stayed until after 3 am . . . .
These same VIPs were remarkably fresh at 9 am for the actual ceremony. I made a bet it would not start on time, and arrived after 10, just in time for some opening announcements. I popped in and out from the venue and my office across the street, meeting mor eof the dignitaries. It seems I was generally hanging out with Cra and Clay, or with the American delegate, Richard from California, the Deputy Chief of Mission for the US Embassy, Eva from Germany, a delegate to the Secretariat of the Pacific Community, Jennifer, an American/Palauan from New York sho cam ewith the Palau President and his delegation, and often with many Yapese government and local friends, and the Peace Corps Vounteers who attended, like Chas, Tracy, Shawn & Ali.
The inauguration proceeded first for the Legislature, and once they were sworn in, we adjourned for a break so they could fulfill their Constitutional obligation to convene and organize before Noon. Sen. Charles Chieng was elected Speaker, and Sens. Falan and Rutun were elected Chairs of the Committees I work with most often.
Anyway, the festivities went on the whole hot day. Luckily, there was a stiff breeze to keep us cooler, and the scheduled break from 3-6 pm was but a pipe dream, as the scheduled dances kept coming. I did go home to take a nap, reurning in time for the massive men's dance from Gagil. After it had gone on a while, I recognized my colleague Jonathan, right there as one of the leaders, front and center -- he was not wearing his glasses. There were nearly 100 of them, and they performed for more than 40 minutes before we went in to the grand ball and buffet.
I was telling Eva from Germany, durin ght eearly part of these dances, that they sometimes got very erotic, with all the thrusting and sexual symbolism. Sure enough, the latter stages of this dance became that way, and while she doubted us at first, Danka and I tried to convince her that yes, this was a bit of a courtship ritual, and what it looked like was exactly what it was . . . .
Sunday evening was a welcome dinner and reception aboard the Mnuw, a Spanish-Galleon type wooden boat moored in the harbor that serves as our local brewery, bar and restaurant. It was packed to overflowing with some 100 people crowded onto the top deck for a happy-hour type of opening, drinking Manta Gold and whatever wine or drinks people wanted. The VIPs had seats reserved on top, and Danka was working as the official commissioned photographer, so I hung around the perimeter, avoided falling 80 feet down into the harbor, and cheerfully chatted with colleagues here in Yap and from overseas. Many delegations came from Palau, the other States and national government of the FSM (notably, our national Secretary of Justice, Marstella Jack, and the national Comunication, Transportation and Infrastructure Secretary, Andrew Yatilman, came).
Everyone was in high spirits, though as it got later, I was sitting with my current colleagues in the outgoing government, all toasting their upcoming "expiration." We enjoyed a huge buffet, though all I managed was a little sashimi and pork from the fully-stocked and catered buffet. Danka finally got me out of there before midnight, though I understand many of the VIPs stayed until after 3 am . . . .
These same VIPs were remarkably fresh at 9 am for the actual ceremony. I made a bet it would not start on time, and arrived after 10, just in time for some opening announcements. I popped in and out from the venue and my office across the street, meeting mor eof the dignitaries. It seems I was generally hanging out with Cra and Clay, or with the American delegate, Richard from California, the Deputy Chief of Mission for the US Embassy, Eva from Germany, a delegate to the Secretariat of the Pacific Community, Jennifer, an American/Palauan from New York sho cam ewith the Palau President and his delegation, and often with many Yapese government and local friends, and the Peace Corps Vounteers who attended, like Chas, Tracy, Shawn & Ali.
The inauguration proceeded first for the Legislature, and once they were sworn in, we adjourned for a break so they could fulfill their Constitutional obligation to convene and organize before Noon. Sen. Charles Chieng was elected Speaker, and Sens. Falan and Rutun were elected Chairs of the Committees I work with most often.
Anyway, the festivities went on the whole hot day. Luckily, there was a stiff breeze to keep us cooler, and the scheduled break from 3-6 pm was but a pipe dream, as the scheduled dances kept coming. I did go home to take a nap, reurning in time for the massive men's dance from Gagil. After it had gone on a while, I recognized my colleague Jonathan, right there as one of the leaders, front and center -- he was not wearing his glasses. There were nearly 100 of them, and they performed for more than 40 minutes before we went in to the grand ball and buffet.
I was telling Eva from Germany, durin ght eearly part of these dances, that they sometimes got very erotic, with all the thrusting and sexual symbolism. Sure enough, the latter stages of this dance became that way, and while she doubted us at first, Danka and I tried to convince her that yes, this was a bit of a courtship ritual, and what it looked like was exactly what it was . . . .