Mannerisms

Spring break is here! Although, my students have admonished me for referring to this week-long respite as "spring" break:

"Teacher, it's Easter break. Does it look like spring to you?"

No, it certainly does not. Thank you, wise student, and may you forgive me for my Americanisms! And I suppose the local moniker is appropriate, since my students won't be celebrating spring with wild getaways to Cancun, spending a week dancing on tables and downing shots purchased by strangers (not that I ever did that). They'll be spending most of the week in church! And as for me? I had planned on a dive trip to Chuuk, but after a year of volunteering, I am POOR. I have a 9-day trip to Hawaii coming up in July, so I'm saving my pennies for that adventure. Literally, pennies. I have a jar.

So it looks like I'll be spending this week moping around in tropical paradise. Try not to feel too sorry for me. On Friday, I'm going to Ant (see photo) with Allois, serving in my favorite role as "boat bitch." Hopefully, I'm diving at Pakin Atoll on Sunday, fingers crossed (this trip always gets canceled). Other than that, I don't have any plans. And I suppose the week is already half-way through. So, it seems that my Easter break will be relatively uneventful, but it's a good chance to catch up on some work.


Whenever I think about returning to the states, I'm always reminded of the reverse culture shock I felt when I returned from studying abroad in India, South Africa, and Argentina (a traveling program called IHP). I was disgusted by the wealth and greed of Americans, the complete lack of empathy with fellow human beings, the race to consume and buy and collect. I was overwhelmed by shopping centers, parking lots, and highways. Although I am familiar with this sensation, this lack of connection to one's homeland, it is still a foreboding prospect. I am hoping that the intermission in Hawaii will ease the transition. But, inevitably, I'm going to be a bit weird when I get back. Weirder than usual. Zing!

Although my efforts to learn the local language have been minimal and mostly ineffectual, I have picked up many gestures and motions that are central to communication among Pohnpeians. So, when I land stateside in July, be prepared for the following:

1. THE BROW LIFT: I will never say "yes" in response to a question or demand. Instead, I will raise my eyebrows. Both of them, simultaneously. You will look at me quizzically and I will do it again, one swift rise and fall of the brows. (Which will hopefully be better groomed once I can find a salon with a nice Korean lady to wax them.) Hopefully, you will get the message the second time around. Although, I won't blame you if you don't; I spent weeks trying to figure this out in my classroom. "Surleen, in the back! Did you do your homework? Hello? JUST SAY SOMETHING!" All the while, poor Surleen is furiously wiggling her brows and the rest of the students are rolling their eyes at their oblivious foreign teacher.

2. THE BOW: In Pohnpei, it's very rude to walk between two people who are talking to each other, or really even just looking at each other. However, sometimes there is no way around it. So, when walking between two people, we bow. Really, it's more like a hunch. If I'm walking between two kids at school, slowly ambling towards their classroom, I'll lower my head slightly and barrel through. However, if walking between two adults, especially elders, I would bend almost in half and shuffle through meekly. In Pohnpei, politeness, respect, and deference to one's seniors are all extremely important. Though, some of my students may need a little refresher in these areas.

3. THE AWKWARD DANCE MOVES: Possibly my favorite. Also the most embarrassing. Although you may envision me sitting on a beach all day and returning to my grass hut at night, Pohnpei has quite a booming nightlife. Well, don't let me exaggerate. We have about five (okay, exactly four) decent bars and one nightclub, the Flamingo. At the old 'Mingo, we like to get a little wild. Sometimes, the dancing gets a little bit out of control. My favorite move? The shopping cart. We wave our arms in the air a lot and shuffle about erratically. Not exactly the right moves for a New York City night club, but who cares? The other best part about dancing at Flamingo: after each song, there is a rush to clear the floor. You must vacate the dance floor before each song ends. This is a hard and fast rule. I don't know what happens if you don't... But I'm sure it's bad.