A very long way

Come to think of it, I've been through quite a lot of stages in my life. Of course, this comes with age. The fact that I've been around for three decades now, is pretty much revealing the wrinkles of my existence.

I remember being a young athlete and music-lover. Countless summers spent in front of the keyboard, or strumming guitar strings, exercising my vocal chords, or doing laps in the pool, chasing after tennis balls or prancing around with my badminton racket on hand, practicing my pirouettes and run, run, run jumps. I remember switching from my ballerina shoes to my tennis runners, and in between stealing glimpses at my cute young swimming coach. The joys of youth. So much energy, so much time at hand.

I remember being a young traveler, doing summer exchange programs all over the Philippines and around Europe, witnessing to other youths and sharing culture and faith. That was my life for a good 10 years. Until, I moved to Sydney, and my then social life suddenly shrunk to a few or handful good friends. What used to be weekends giving inspiring 'talks' amidst a good hundred people, turned to one saturday night one-on-one wine talks with one good friend. They are both nonetheless, quality time spent, they just belong on opposite ends of the spectrum and quite incomparable. Time can do that to a person, pleasure in number, 100 or 1.

I remember being a student at university, three times over. 30 years, 10 schools, thousands of acquaintances, dozens of subjects, handful of confidants, a few heartaches, and neverending learning.

Oh Anuta!

The other day hubby and I watched a culturally inspiring documentary on BBC about the Anuta tribe. Anuta Island is one of the 900 Solomon Islands that are inhabited with only about a population of 300 persons. The circular island is only 400 metres wide, and the highest point being 65 metres. Based on the documentary (which can be viewed here) we saw how beatiful the white sandy beaches are on this island. The only drawback to this paradise is that, it is frequented by cyclones. Without any hotels, pollution, television, this island can be a good place to see at least once in a lifetime.

The Anutans are physically far from the big civilizations od this world, however what is interesting about this small group of people are their culture. They have songs and rituals for welcoming, songs for washing the carrots, rites for first time fisherman, for the visitor leaving, catching food, etc. The documentary shows the typical islanders' way of life (with the distinct division of labour between men and women, they are very traditional). Restaurants don't exist here, but instead one is welcomed for a meal at the Anutan home. Another thing that doesn't exist here, are clinics,which can be a challenge to a sick or injured islander.

Watching this show just made me appreciate how simple living can be so stress-free. The local Anutan's were always smiling, and happy about life on the island. This music loving people may never set foot on other islands their entire lifetime, but surely this does not stop them from enjoying that small island they have. What a wonderful world!

Photo credit: Rainbowphoto