Tamaroaloang o Dien

Marking statistics papers at a desk on Friday afternoon sitting in an air conditioned office is something that an instructor could be doing anywhere. Buried in the midst of seventy-nine papers, with sixty-four physical science papers yet to go, there is nothing particularly special or different from the hundreds of other community college professors out there marking papers on a Friday.

Outside my window, however, a tropical sun blazes in a blue sky, and the leaves on the trees are not changing colors with the seasons. Still, I could be in southern Florida but for the yonder hills of Palikir.

There is, however, also outside my office window the following scene which cannot be found stateside.

The ramshackle collection of tin roof perched atop tree fern posts might not look like an evening hot spot, but make no mistake, in upper Kitti Tamaroaloang was the place to be. With Tamaroaloang the only operational market between One Eye in Paies and Na-Na in Enipein, Tamaroaloang was way oversubscribed.

As with any Club 54 in its heyday, only insiders had a shot at sakau in this market Friday night. Jason ensured that I was well supplied and cared for.

The market is friends, family, current and former students, and strong sakau. A place where one does not have to introduce oneself, everyone knows your name, and you know theirs.

With high demand, low prices, and limited supply, the evening ends early in Tamaroaloang. On the way back into town a stop to visit more family and friends up in Dien.

Elwel "Nankoi" Samuel enjoys a cup of fine Kosraean sakau.

Deisleen and Feliciana Spencer.

Kosompaul.

Men pounding root with rocks on rock - another site that would be unusual anywhere else. The office in which I work may be generic, but the world outside the office window is a wonderful place filled with people I know, lives which have touched mine and become a part of my own extended family.