Toloas Beats Palau Hands Down (Belau Ng Diak Le Kot?) It is read Tolouas and it is one of the islands in Chuuk. And the Micro-Game had not started yet. Many Palauans believe that respect is a unique part of the Palauan culture as if other cultures do not have it. And we are so blinded sighted by our practice in justifying our failures by deflecting the onus (a ngerachel er a ultelechakl) or attention to someone else. By their own struggles and failures as a state since the inception of FSM, Chuuk has unfairly become the butt of jokes in Micronesian. We have to find the weak and marginalized among us or close to us to point at to feel good about ourselves; more importantly, to rationalize having our own mistakes that they are not so bad after all. We become so blind sighted (ke de mo miku) by using this approach and mentality for measurement of our success. Negative on that side is so bad therefore we should not mind or complain about the same negative in lesser version on our side. We become unfair by allowing our faults as not bothersome while blowing the horn on others. As a result, we would not allow ourselves to see improvements in such marginals (tirkel kmal melitech er iou). In this case, Chuuk. This would be the 18th year since 1995 that I go to Chuuk every year for meeting with the bishop on Catholic Church matters. The first meeting was held in Guam. Thereafter, each trip would require me to stay for few days up to a week in Chuuk. I think my observation qualifies me to say something about Chuuk. And believe me I was conditioned to look at every small detail. The road is hallmark failure to mention against Chuuk. It is almost a disappointment to see it slowly being paved by doomsayers against Chuuk. But the sidewalks are better than Koror’s. But let’s stick with the small stuff. Every time I arrived and departed Chuuk, I was given beautiful leis that I can only think that Palauans would complain endlessly or sell it for an arm and leg if they were asked to make them these days. And they are available all the time. Coconuts are standard on restaurant’s menu. Fried reef fish is my all time favorite because I have never been disappointed; perfectly golden fried all the time. And the size is good for two by Palauan size at the High Tide Hotel (formerly Chuuk Star). The celebration at Toloas. I thought to myself during and after the celebration that we cannot do this in Palau. Impossible. We were greeted at the dock like royalty. They put printed name tag necklaces like the ones they provided in expensive conferences and Hawaiian nut leis to distinguish us as special guests. To our amazement, the hut on the arrival site was covered with every kind of tropical fruits. Flowers everywhere I looked. Then beautiful and fragrant leis were put on us. Then Marmar of flowers followed. Colorful hand towels were distributed to everyone. And yet another smaller square size towels followed. In the middle of the celebration, colorful hand towels made like marmar were put on heads as the celebration was heating up. The food was not spared. Fish, chicken, beef, pork for all kinds of dishes, and of course, the roast pig covered a lines of tables. And for Palauans who have weak stomach, I had kon (pounded breadfruit) and never had to touch rice. I would take kon over rice any day. People from Hawaii and Guam ate everything. The food was plentiful and good according to my Palauan judgment on standards for quality, presentation, and sanitary (Palauans make a big thing on this especially). For eighteen years that I been invited to eat at various gatherings I have not one case of stomach trouble after eating. And I can say that I place a very high standard on my stomach even here in Palau. Singing and dancing kicked in quickly after eating which we can only wish for in Palau. Groups from four sub-parishes and group from Guam took turns in making short speeches which is unheard of in Palau and followed with singing and dancing performances. Each group of at least fifty wore some kind of an outfit. With the huge crowd, people were very observant and quiet every time there was a speaker unlike some gatherings that I have observed here in Palau. People kept on talking and disregarding speakers. The songs were incredibly energized and well choreographed with synchronized body and hand movements and with lots of clapping. I totally enjoyed myself. And I did not see one person drunk! I related to Fr. Kelly from Yap and Fr. Rusk the day after the celebration that this kind of celebration can no longer take place in Palau. I also shared the same view to wife and few Palauans on my return to Palau. I was asked if it would be too expensive. Exactly, the Palauan mind would believe that it is money that can buy such a celebration. There were at least six hundred people at this celebration. This was a pure product of people acting as a community. This is how I know Toloas can beat Palau; it was not about money but total people participation. And this went on for two days. Chuukese know how to party I been told by some foreigners in Chuuk and now I believe it.
Posted on: Tue, 04 Nov 2014 06:53:03 +0000
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