Adventures in Paradise 50

Adventures in Paradise 50

Kia Orana, everyone! Our excellent adventure continues with some thoughts on perspective and how differently each of us might perceive common experiences. To begin, I will assume that if you are reading this blog, you chose not to vote us off your e-mail list. For that we are grateful! So, I would like to return to Aitutaki and share an additional life’s lesson.

As you may recall from last week, Aitutaki is in the process of recovering from Cyclone Pat, which hit the island in February of 2010. Homes, schools and businesses were destroyed and for the past nineteen months the residents of this small island have been going about the task of putting their lives back together. It has been painstaking work, but the light at the end of the tunnel was the fact that they could recover. They had hope for the future.

In yesterday’s edition of the Cook Islands News, I read that drought has hit Aitutaki crops. The article states a fact that our friends there had mentioned to us during our visit. There has been no rain in over two and a half months. My perspective of a lush tropical island is not the reality for these people. This long dry spell is devastating to the root crops that were planted with the vision of exporting to New Zealand in 2012. The money earned from the sale of these crops was going to help rebuild homes and other structures. The article went on to say that while most crops have been seriously affected, some have been completely wiped out. Most growers have already given up hope and have abandoned their fields. The rest will follow suit if the rains don’t come in the next two weeks. Dreams of exportation have been dashed. The growers association believes that this drought has been a bigger disaster to the planters than was the cyclone. Such is the situation in Aitutaki. It is hot and it is dry. The grass is brown and the crops have died. This is the islands perspective.

A tourist arriving for a week or so of relaxation will have had a much different perspective. After his visit, he may speak of a quaint airline landing on a small airfield in view of a beautiful lagoon. He may talk of swaying palms on the motus. He may perceive the island as a lush little paradise. A resort transport with friendly greeters will welcome him with a fragrant ei and he will be whisked away to one of the four secluded resorts that operate on white-sand beaches. He will spend his vacation in luxury with a private beach, use of kayaks, snorkeling gear and naps in a hammock. He will have turn-down service in a private villa and room service if he wishes. In addition to the beach, the property boasts walking paths, waterfalls (man made) infinity pools and drinks to be sipped out of a coconut. There will be gourmet meals and all the serenity one could possibly need. If a massage is needed, the tourist has only to pick up the phone. He might also want to arrange for a lagoon cruise. The cruise staff will pick him up at his door and bypassing most of the cyclone damage, will deliver him down to the beach for boarding the awaiting vaka. There is no need to venture into what is left of the little island town as even gift shops are prevalent on site. It is heaven and it is perfection. The outside world of the locals does not exist.

One night while we were on the island, we were concerned that our new friends were sharing food with us that they really could not afford. We were aware of the lack of fresh fruit and vegetables and were also concerned that our hosts were spending money they did not have to be hospitable to us. We decided that we had better buy our own dinner and the only option to us was to visit a restaurant at one of the resorts. Having just left very humble surroundings, we were stunned by the opulence that we encountered. We also encountered that evening, many of the locals who were employed by the resort.  We admit to a certain amount of embarrassment in having our new friends see us there and wait on us. For some reason, it had not occurred to us that this might be the case. We had a lovely evening at an ocean-view table. The food was delicious, but for me, the entire evening centered around how perceptions can be so different. I knew that our waitress, who appeared crisply attired, had washed her uniform in a wash tub instead of a machine. I knew that her hair had been shampooed in a very short, very cold shower. I knew that as she left the restaurant that evening, she would be going home to a house with no windows and a “door” consisting of an opening covered by a towel for privacy.  I knew that her family could not even afford  any dessert that was  offered on the menu she presented to the diners. I knew that the world she entered as she arrived for work was one that would not be available to her or her family as guests of the resort.

During that evening, I thought a lot about all the other people who have waited on me during the years. I never gave one moment’s concern to where they lived or in what conditions. These people simply existed in my mind for as long as they were serving me. We learned on our cruise last year, that the liner staff; those who waited tables and serviced our rooms, would go six or seven months without seeing their families. They slept below us in cramped rooms with no windows. We learned that they worked very long hours and that their pay was sent home to support their loved ones. They were on the same ship as we were, but their perspectives concerning the cruise were much different than ours. So, at that one dinner on a very small island last week, I learned another valuable life’s lesson. I need to appreciate that my limited perspective does not tell the whole story. This is an opportunity to imagine life from someone else’s viewpoint. It is an opportunity to grow.

The second Sunday in October marks the annual national prayer service. There will be singing and prayers for the safety of the Cook Islands. People from all over the islands will converge in the national auditorium to pray for safety and God’s protection for the next six months. October 1 marks the beginning of yet another cyclone season, and we are all praying that our fifteen little islands in the middle of the South Pacific will be spared. I will be saying extra prayers for my new friends in Aitutaki.

As always, we are happy and trying to work hard. From my perspective, we are blessed to have you all in our lives. We now have less than six months left here and we are facing the reality of leaving the new friends that we have made. My perspective at the beginning of our time here was one where I thought that I would be very excited to leave when the time came. Oh, how perspectives shift. How can we leave here? But then, how can we not want to come home?

Love, Ward and Susan                   Elder and Sister Belliston, serving in the Cooks

Our photos this week offer two perspectives of Aitutaki. One is the locals point of view, while the other is the island viewed through the eyes of a tourist. Hopefully, it will leave you with food for thought. Ka Kite

Local: This is an inland unpaved road.

Tourist: A relaxing hammock.

Local: One of many homes still waiting to be repaired.

Tourist:  A day cruise on the lagoon. This comes with lunch, snorkeling and entertainment.

Local: Another home waiting to be repaired. The owner, who is a fisherman was also hoping to use his boat again someday.

Tourist: Private bungalos on a white sand beach. This beach is raked everyday by the locals.

Local: The airport is not the focus here, it is the grass. This is what you have when there has been no rain for over two months.

Tourist: Pristine and private beaches.

Local: This is the missionary flat where we stayed. The branch president cleaned it and arranged the flowers. There were flowers in every room, including the bathroom. This was the thoughtful lunch he provided for us as well. What a welcome! 

Tourist: Diners can enjoy a delicious gourmet meal on a private motu.