Day 7: Beneath the Mango Tree

“And all of these moment might just find their way into my dreams tonight

But I know that they’ll be gone when the morning light sings or brings new things.

For tomorrow night you see tat they’ll be gone too. Too many things I have to do. But if all of these dreams might find their way into my day to day scene, I’d be under the impression I was some where imbetween With only two- just me and you not so many things we got to do or place we got to be

We’ll sit beneath the mango tree now” -Jack Johnson

I couldn’t get this song out of my head. There was a huge mango tree by the main church in Nguna. I had kids constantly offering my mangoes. The kids were always excited to see me and they actually enjoyed having their picture taken. They laughed as I would show them the pic. One time, I was walking back from the beach when I heard a little voice yell ‘hello’ from beside the trail. I looked over and sure enough there was little kid squatting (using the bathroom) under a tree waving frantically at me. I waved back and laughed as I saw his pants and undies further up the trail.

My other mango experience came on the island of Pele. I arranged to take a boat over (10 minute ride) and was led to the Peace Corp volunteer who showed me around and took me up to the mountain on Pele. He dutifully attempted to answer all of my questions about Vanuatu. I was becoming more and more intrigued by the way things work and the way the people live. After our hike, we had to talk to the chief of the village to see how much I had to pay. While waiting for my change, we gathered under a mango tree by the beach. Someone came around with a huge tub of large mango. Sitting beneath the mango tree overlooking the picturesque beach gnawing on a sweet mango with the local people was one of my favorite moments of the trip. In simplicity, I had found perfection.