Twingil Dinner Party

Last night, the TPK hosted a little dinner gathering at Nimar Wentworth for our absolutely wonderful neighbors.  We re-arranged our massive amounts of furniture (or maybe we just moved our kitchen table into a different room….), set-up a desk for the large spread of delicious dishes, and even set the mood with a little center piece on the table.  I whipped up the most American meal we have managed to concoct on the island: Homemade Veggie Burgers, French Fries, and Corn served with a fresh loaf of french bread - cooking has always been a bit of a hidden hobby for me ever since my first days in Scouting and getting to do so for a large group of people gets me unnecessarily excited (me… excited over small things… I know – so strange, it must be the water here). 

Our guests of honor arrived around 6:30 and each brought their own delicious Yapese dish to add to the meal.  We had a scrumptious chicken and vegetable dish that tasted like a pot-pie, but so much better.  They also brought something that resembled the texture of apple sauce, but was not as sweet – I can’t even pronounce the name yet, so I won’t even try to spell it.  And finally, they brought a traditional desert made from pounded taro roots and cocunut milk all rolled up into little balls covered with cocunut shavings – perfection.

We had great conversation about life in the village, and we even learned that our little “cauldesack” is called “Twingil” (no idea on spelling) – but it sounds like “Twin-heel”.  It consists of the 4-5 little houses in our cozy little cluster.  I learned some fun Yapese words, most of which I already forgot – but I am determined to learn much more.  Mary told me she talked to one of her friends about making my basket woven from leaves.  Baskets are a very traditional part of Yapese culture and you keep essentially EVERYTHING in them, and it is very disrespectful to touch someone else’s basket.  Carrying a basket is also an alternative to carrying around a palm leaf when wandering around villages other than your own to show that you are not carrying a weapon and mean no harm.  At night, you must carry a flashlight as a sign that you are not trying to cause trouble.  It is a fascinating culture, and this is only one of the many traditions and customs.

Overall, the food, company, and conversation was fantastic.  Our lovely friends – our Yapese family – insisted that we keep the leftovers, so we graciously took the Yapese dishes, and then we insisted that they take the American leftovers and a few lollipops for little Thafarad.  We already have made tentative plans to do it again with the rest of “Twingil” as well as inviting the Jesuits “padres” over.  When we said we will all have to squeeze in, Mary told us not to worry – we could always move the table and just sit together on the ground - just another example of how life is here on Yap – so simple… so pure… so happy.

My burger making station

Just a few of the dishes for the evening

Rosemary, Caitlin, Tracy, Martin, Jane, Thafarad, and Mary just before dinner

Mary helping Thafarad gets his first Veggie Burger

My man, Thafarad - the only one allowed to use my Camp Minsi mug.  When I showed him his picture on the camera after this he couldn't stop smiling.

"It is around the table that friends understand best the warmth of being together."   - Unknown