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Chris and Laura do Tonga
Hey everybody,
Thanks for all the messages you've posted. Much appreciated since living on this island feels v far from home! For starters life operates at a snail's pace, which is just what you want in the 30° heat! Worryingly, the hospital too runs on 'Tonga time'! 'Maybe we'll do it today, maybe we'll wait for another day!'
The people here are incredible! Everybody is so friendly and they love Westerners (palangi). We're constantly waving back to random people and saying hello to everyone we meet, especially the school kids who like to show off!
The exception to this friendliness, however, was a miserable old git from Lancashire who took us on a tour of the island yesterday. It was a good tour though! I have cultivated a nice van tan, hanging my arm out the window! We have seen some of the most amazing beaches here. Sure beats the Costa del Spain! Whatever beach you choose you can guarantee you'll be the only people on it. If the lazy Tongans got in gear they could really do something with tourism here!!! But that would spoil it. Now I sound like a real 'traveller!!!'
Last night we met some of the junior doctors for drinks and they took us to 'sing' karaoke. Typical of the English we were v reserved but I promptly got everyone to their feet with a special rendition of Lionel Richie All Night Long, which was rather embarrassing.
Tonight some of the other students are leaving so we are going to the poshest restaurant in Tonga. It's gonna cost about 3 times the price of a normal meal out. About 15 quid! Then a few Ikale Beers/maybe some Kava are to be drunk! I then plan to bust some moves on the dancefloor to UB40, the choice of Tongan music after they came here last month on their World Tour. They are now practically living Gods on this island!
Oh yeah, apparently there is a hospital somewhere nearby. If we are fortunate we may stumble into it sometime next week! But seriously, we have done a bit of work, spending time on Obs and Gynae. It has been fun to visit theatres and watch some c-sections. It's cool to wear flip-flops to work!!!
Take care, hope you're all well,
Chris and Laura,
xxx
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