Shopping on Tarawa

After 'camping' on the beach for the past month, Joy and I traveled yesterday to the main island of Tarawa for some supplies to help move past the camping stage. We waited at the airport for 3 hours and 30 minutes for the plane as it had been diverted to another island to transport a sick patient to the hospital. There was also a sick man and his wife on our plane, going to the hospital. I am not sure what his problen was but he was breathing 40 times per minute! Two passengers were bumped off our flight to accomodate the ill man and his wife. The plane only holds eight passengers! I am not sure how they decided who gets to find another day to go to Tarawa. At least there are now flights 3 days per week intead of once a week as it was when we were here last time.

We are looking for electrical supplies to wire the new wind generator into the new batteries we are also here to purchase. With the new batteries and the 3 solar panels that are already there, we hope to generate enough power to run a 12V water pump and lights. Maybe even a fan at night once in a while! We also hope to upgrade the cooking stove to propane instead of kerosene. (Won't miss the soot on all the pots and pans!)

Getting propane on Abemama is quite another issue. It can be done. But those on the island that use propane are currently out! Not sure where the "rate limiting step" is in this scenario..... Supposing we do find what we need, the next thing is to actually get it to Abemama. You can take excess baggage with you on the plane for $2.60 per pound if you are very desperate and/or wealthy. Or you can leave your freight at the airport the day before and pay $1.30 per pound. Another option is shipping by boat.  There is no way to know when the boat will arrive and you are supposed to be there to sign for your freight when it gets there!  I am guessing there is some sort of "Island Communication" that I have not yet discovered....Joy thinks communication is done by CB radio.  We have to learn how to 'get in the loop.'

We also wanted to meet with the Minister of Health, Dr. Kautu Tenaua, to introduce ourselves, give him copies of our medical licenses, and learn more about his assessment of outer island medical/dental needs.  We also shared with him our work permit dilemma to see if he could help us. We had a delightful visit with him today. He is a very educated and articulate man who has a great burden to help his country and people. During his OB-GYN training in the United Kingdom for four years he learned some of the positive aspects of the "western" worldview.  It is amazing to see how he has made so many reforms and how difficult it has been to implement these! Joy told him she wondered if he was sent to his nation in this position "for such a time as this" like Esther in the Bible. We told him we will be praying for his work for the I-Kiribati.

In our shopping forays, Joy was very excited to spot an English language training center, run by an Australian, Anthony Hageman.  ESL has always been a big interest of hers.  She hopes to be able to assist with English teaching in Abemama in some way.  Her plans to do that at Kauma school are on hold as the school year is just about over.  The students are taking their final examinations over the next few weeks.  Their summer holidays are November through January.  Anthony was a very gracious listener who shared lots of helpful, local tips (and some needed 1/2" PVC fittings) with us neophytes!  His website is:  www.englishcentre.edu.ki

We're enjoying the air conditioning immensely at our motel room.  Lagoon Breeze Lodge offers basic, comfortable, accomodations in a spotlessly clean environment.  There is also internet here, though we can't get Skype to work consistently.