All of the volunteers are living with host families in a rural community outside of the capitol. It isn’t until just now that I’ve had a chance to get back into the city, get internet connection and update my blog.
I’m currently living with a host family. I’ve got a 15 year old brother (Don) and a 14 year old sister (Darleen or Doi). My mom’s name is Lynn and my dad is Bumio, although we call him by his title, Nahlem. They are taking great care of me while I’m in Pohnpei.
I’ve had a chance to explore this community a little and have seen the ruins of Nan Madol- some call it the Venice of Micronesia. It is what is left of an ancient city that was built on the water. My brother acted as a tour guide and was able to share what he knew about it. Also, I got a chance to see one of the island’s waterfalls. It was beautiful. Have a look at the pictures below and see!
The end of this week, I will be leaving Pohnpei and the Federated States of Micronesia. I have been assigned a permanent site in an outer island of the Republic of Palau. It is a small island with only 150-200 people. I will be working at a school that only has 30 or so students. But, before I get to go there, I have another six or seven weeks of training (in Palau, but not at my site) where I’ll learn more teaching strategies and learn the local language.
Should you want to drop me a note, feel free to email or send some snail mail my way:
Robert Steffens
C/O Peace Corps
P.O. Box 158
Koror, Palau, 96940
(Palau, like the FSM, is part of the US Postal system. So a regular stamp will work)
Enjoy the pictures, and I hope to get some more updates soon.
The Palau Group- Six New Volunteers.
The whole M76 Group
Jumping into the ocean.
Me and my brother in Nan Madol
The Waterfall
My brother and sister bored at the waterfall
My host mom and dad
The view from our training site.
No matter what the USPS tells you, the mail to Rob will go through Guam, which requires an international sticker. So, if you're mailing a package ever, you MUST include that green sticker where you declare the value of the package (make this as tiny as possible, as there is thievery afoot) and write your info and Robs info again. Lots of USPS workers don't realize this, as the address looks like it's going to the US. If you don't include that bit of paperwork, it's likely he'll never get it.
ReplyDeleteYour temporary Abby looks cute and does the lazy sit just like Abby does. Haha. Whoever left the above message, thanks for the info.
ReplyDeleteSOOOOOOOOO i see you go cliff diving there....but you wont go with me here????
ReplyDeleteim throughly sadened by this thought. but i still love you and we'll just go like the day you get back :)
kara
It looks beautiful there! Have you tried a bat yet?
ReplyDeleteMarcia
Hi Robert!!
ReplyDeleteHope all is well. Are visiting my website while you are there? I had a hit from the Malaysia and you are the only person in that part of the world that I know... Anyway, someone played an awesome trick on Rhonda today and she tried to blame it on you :) Whoever it was (not me I swear!) took a bunch of hotdog buns and put them all over her desk. She said after the troll incident nothing phases her. I am going to try and send you a letter! Hope you are taking care!
-Alissa