"Tell your family to visit the island you can't find on the map," my host mother told me my first weekend in Pohnpei. As we drove along the winding road which takes us from one side of the island to the other in 45 minutes, I understood why she would say that. The soft rain spraying me through the open window felt nice on my sunburned, sweaty skin (which has since become more tan, but never less sweaty). The jungles, hills, and glimpses of the ocean amazed me with their beauty. But, then again, every sight on this island seems to surpass the last in beauty. I hope there is never a morning I don't marvel at the paradise I see from my bedroom window when I wake up.
It seems strange that my first reaction to hearing I was coming here was, "Where's Micronesia?" And yet, there are Pringles in the grocery store and an Ace Hardware down the road. It seems strange that many of us have laughed at how many times we have to zoom in on Google Maps to find Pohnpei, yet my Micronesian students are obsessed with Justin Bieber and Lil Wayne. It seems strange that people joked that this place doesn't really exist, yet there are Micronesians serving in the US military.
It has been an interesting balance of the familiar and unfamiliar. One of the "homiest" feelings I have gotten was sitting around a Saturday evening at my host family's house. A group was gathered, lounging outside, enjoying each other's company. But, rather than drinking alcohol, people were drinking Sakau (a local drink made from the crushed roots of a plant, which tastes like mud, but leaves the drinker with a numb tongue and relaxed demeanor). Rather than listening to DMB on somebody's iPod, people were playing guitar and ukele and softly singing.
It's subtle differences that gently remind me that I'm in another country. Yet, there's just enough familiarity and genuine kindness from the people around me where I already feel at home. And for those times when I feel uncomfortable and overwhelmed, I have pictures of friends and family wallpapering my room. I have a large envelope of quotes for every day that I am here, gifted to me by Marlowe. I have the occasional letter from home (keep them coming)! And most importantly, I have your thoughts and prayers supporting me along the way. Kalahngan (Thank you).
For those who didn't get it, my address is:
Sam Pomplon
Jesuit Volunteers
PO Box 1650
Pohnpei, FM 96941
