My last day of work and in Chicago

Almost 5 years in Chicago and what an amazing time it's been. Summer festivals and BYOB dinners with the crew, preparties at Reg, Kawar and Sunny's place, pumpkin carving, clubbing and standing in the dreaded cold to get in, Girls' nights out, bike rides with Steve, Hodes reunions and get togethers, late night eats at Baba Palace, my 30th and visits from my NC peeps...there are so many memories. Thinking of those times and everyone who were a part of these days and late nights are forever going to help push me through any difficult times that may come my way in the Peace Corps.

Now I am off to begin some traveling...Portland, Washington, Vancouver, Halifax and lastly a cruise before I ship off Sept 17. It doesn't seem real...not until I am on that plane over the Pacific viewing down at my new home for 2 years...Vanuatu, ready or not.

Where is Vanuatu?

Pronounced Van-ah-wha-tu.
It is located between Australia, New Zealand and Fiji. The map shows the flight times between countries. Hope you'll visit!

The language

Bislama is the official language of Vanuatu. It's a mixture of French and English pigeon talk. Here are a few interesting words and phrases translated into Bislama:

hello = alo
goodbye = tata
ocean = solwater
bra = basket blong titi
I speak little Bislama = Mi tok tok smol Bislama nomo
Thank you very much = Tank yu tumas

(and finally, my personal favorite)
helicopter = mixmaster blong Jesus Christ

Apparently, many languages developed over time across Vanuatu's 83 islands. Over 100 languages are currently spoken there, excluding English and French. So Bislama is relied upon as a secondary language for all these different groups of islanders to communicate.

Tata for now.