Inaugural Picnic
Tuesday Afternoon was a picnic out Wachelaab, at the Village View Hotel on Maap island of Yap. The final party of the weekend, as many of the VIPs had to fly out Wednesday morning to Palau. Danka and I drove Chas and Shawn out there, and we all settled in for the party. First, it was impossible not to notice the sea turtles provided for the feast. More on that later. The rest was a huge buffet, again, of all the usual foods. Plus the usual array of beers.
The speeches included my boss, the Attorney General, who made claims that Yap owned Nan Madol, much of Palau and many other places to needle the VIPs. I was called up to sing "Hotel California" and tried to claim parts of Japan and the Philippines for Yap as well. I messed up all the verses, but it was well-received. The American Deputy Chief of Mission, Richard, sang Kenny Rogers's "Lady." And we generally hung out with him, the FSM national Minister of Justice Marstella, Jennifer from Palau and PCVs Chas, Tracy, Shawn & Scott. In the very middle of the front of the party.
Perhaps the surprise entertainment was Tuba Races, where the MC called up many groups of people to slam tuba -- the alcholic by-product of Coconut Palm tree sap when fermented. The races included the current and former Governors and Lt. Governors of the State, and many other officials. The most brutal contest was between the women, with Jennifer and Marstella tying several times. I think the MCs were just trying to intoxicate them, and it may have worked.
I talked to several people, working the whole party, congratulating new Legislative Committe Chairs and talking about what we wanted to accomplish. I spoke with the Chinese diplomatic representative about their crew staying here. We went home just after dusk -- exhausted after 3 straight days of these festivities.
The speeches included my boss, the Attorney General, who made claims that Yap owned Nan Madol, much of Palau and many other places to needle the VIPs. I was called up to sing "Hotel California" and tried to claim parts of Japan and the Philippines for Yap as well. I messed up all the verses, but it was well-received. The American Deputy Chief of Mission, Richard, sang Kenny Rogers's "Lady." And we generally hung out with him, the FSM national Minister of Justice Marstella, Jennifer from Palau and PCVs Chas, Tracy, Shawn & Scott. In the very middle of the front of the party.
Perhaps the surprise entertainment was Tuba Races, where the MC called up many groups of people to slam tuba -- the alcholic by-product of Coconut Palm tree sap when fermented. The races included the current and former Governors and Lt. Governors of the State, and many other officials. The most brutal contest was between the women, with Jennifer and Marstella tying several times. I think the MCs were just trying to intoxicate them, and it may have worked.
I talked to several people, working the whole party, congratulating new Legislative Committe Chairs and talking about what we wanted to accomplish. I spoke with the Chinese diplomatic representative about their crew staying here. We went home just after dusk -- exhausted after 3 straight days of these festivities.