February 3, 2016

I drove out to Laie and picked up Maikale, Una, and Kelipi to shop for the items they would need for their transition back to Tonga at the end of the month. We talked a lot this day about how different Tonga was from America. They told me about the money system in Tonga and how Kelipi makes $5,000 a year as a teacher, and how expensive it is to buy things in TOnga. They grow their own food and raise their own animals. They told me about the different meats they eat and the traditions of the different foods. On this shopping trip Kelipi wanted to purchase some tools that would make "his life easier" in his words. This included a lawn mower, chain saw, and auger. They use the imu many times thorough out the week and always cut their wood with a machete, dig their holes with a spade, and have no machine for cutting grass. The machines that we take for granted every day. We went to Walmart where Una was able to purchase some things she wanted to bring back to Tonga, and then went to City Mill. We priced the saws and decided to visit Lowe's instead. Kelipi had better luck at Lowe's and was able to purchase a lawn mower and saw, but couldn't find an auger and they were out of the sharpener he needed for the saw. Maikale was not feeling well, Una thought her molars may be coming in and were causing the discomfort. While at the stores I took Maikale with me and we walked around and looked at all the different items in the store and practiced naming and counting them. As we walked around the store I noticed so many people (mainly adults) staring at us, but nobody ever came up and talked to us. It made me think about my own behavior and hope that I don't stare at others, but not really look at them.
We had lunch at McDonald's (it was their first time) I think Una and Maikale enjoyed it, but I don't think Kelipi was a fan of his chicken nuggets! On the way home Maikale slept a good portion of the hour long drive. It was a good day!

(7 hours)