First Impressions

L-ATTitude Change: Leaving Home & First Impressions

Well. I have officially left home, landed in Vanuatu, and can confirm that nothing quite prepares you for your teddy bear being the reason your bag gets searched at an international airport.

Yes. My teddy bear.

Apparently, his feet contain inorganic grains. Which sounds both suspicious and vaguely criminal. Thankfully, not suspicious enough to confiscate him, and I’m delighted to report to Helen Hunt that Blue Teddy is safe, sound, and now an international traveller. Honestly, who knew he’d be my most high-risk possession.

A quick shout-out to Solomon Airlines – highly recommend. If you’re tall (which, of course, I am not), you get excellent leg room. The meal was great, and even better: I had an entire row to myself. Luxury! That meant a few hours of actual sleep, after a brutally rude early start to the day.

Naturally, the plane arrived about 30 minutes late. Because some things remain constant, no matter what country you’re in.

Home Sweet (Very Cute) Home

My new house is adorable. Like, genuinely cute. I’m especially thrilled about having an outside sitting area, which will soon become home to a wee garden. The plan: add colour, grow some veges, and put my stamp on the house. This weekend’s mission is to buy the beginnings of my jungle/farm/horticultural masterpiece.

I’ve also been warmly welcomed by chirpy geckos in my house, who appear to communicate exclusively at high volume. Add to that the neighbour’s roosters, who operate on wildly inconsistent wake-up schedules, and we have what I can only describe as the Vanuatu Symphony Orchestra.

The bed… well, it’s not quite the cloud of comfort I left behind in Wellington. But we’ll get to know each other. Relationships take time.

Huge bonus: no mosquitos so far. All my pre-departure prep seems to be working. Extra bonus: my landlord is coming today to hang my mosquito net because the ceilings are way too high for me to attempt that without becoming an emergency room anecdote. Thanks, Helen, for the net and the foresight.

Let’s Talk About Sweat

Is it truly possible to sweat this much? Asking for a friend.

At this rate, I’ll be a shadow of my former self before I even unpack properly.

My first afternoon was full-on:

• Power ✔️
• Internet ✔️
• Gas ✔️
• Phones ✔️
• Supermarket essentials ✔️
• Two-hour safety briefing ✔️

By last night, I was utterly exhausted and deeply respectful of anyone who functions in this climate on a daily basis. It was 30 degrees Celsius at 9pm with 100% humidity.

Day Two: Straight Into It

Today’s agenda is equally stacked:

• Bislama school this morning – mi lanem Bislama
• Bank account setup
• Cultural Centre visit
• Work (you know, the whole reason I’m here)
• Drinks and dinner with the New Zealand High Commission in Vanuatu
• Toastmasters meeting at 6.30pm
• Buying fans (this should be priority!)

And I never thought I’d say this… but I found myself briefly wishing for the teeniest hint of that Wellington wind. Just a whisper. A suggestion. Character development is real.

Right. Off to school.

Catch you next time. 🌴