Sunday, November 30, 2008

Cows for dinner

On our way to the beach, we noticed a group of men butchering a cow on their front porch. It was a unique sight, so when we returned home I decided to go talk to them about the event.

It seems a regular practice on the island for a small group to get together and buy a cow to butcher-- after which they divide the spoils evenly among them.

This was a group of ten men (or ten families) that had formed a group to buy a small cow. A small cow can be bought for $400-$500. A large cow would run $700-$800. I'm not sure how much meat each would actually receive for their share of the cow.

This group of men happened to all be Muslim. This was fortuitous for me, as I had been looking for Muslims on the island I could talk to about their religion. I am currently reading the Koran for the second time (I just have a couple of chapters left), and have lots of questions. Unfortunately they do not have an official leader on the island (sounds a lot like our small group of Mormons); they have a formal leader on Saipan that comes to visit every few months. In the mean time they meet together weekly to study the Koran on their own.

The meat and bone is cut up into small squares about the size of your fist, then it is weighed and put in plastic bags. I assume that, as they are Muslims, they have a specific method of killing and preparing their meat-- in fact, like the Jews, they probably cannot eat meat that has not been properly prepared.
The one I spoke with--and who could speak English a little-- was named something like Jamareel Hussein. They were very friendly and invited me to come worship with them anytime; although it was clear they would be hesitant to answer religious questions-- they simply study the Koran. If I wanted to ask questions, I would have to go to Saipan.
It is very difficult to get good meat here on Tinian, so this would be a great way to get what you wanted... although it was obvious that they were not professional butchers, separating the 'good' cuts of meat from the bad ones. They seemed to simply be cutting it all into as equal portions as possible, then weighing the meat for distribution.


Saturday, November 29, 2008

More on our scuba dive at Turtle Point

Here is a video I took of the little blue fish that swam in and out of the coral

Christmas lights on Tinian

Terri and I received a call to remind us of the lighting ceremony that was being held on Broadway. As we neared the location, you could hear the countdown, and could see the bright lights go on...

Lots of people and cars lined the road to witness the ceremony

Here is a look up Broadway towards the main Christmas tree and manger

Here is the highlight of the light show! Of course, Terri had to explain to me that this wasn't a Christmas Tree... it is the Christmas star shining over the baby Jesus!


They even have their new time and temp sign lit up!

As you near the new park and amphitheater, all the new light poles are ablaze, and people have gathered to share a meal together

Another tree is lit and people have already formed lines to get a share of the food that lines several tables... including an entire roasted cow!


You can see that the cow is already half gone... but there is still enough food for everyone in line!


We finally see the end of the line, as we have the opportunity to meet and greet some of our friends. We even had the privilege to meet the Mayor!


There were not enough tables to seat everyone that came, so many took their food back to their cars, or perhaps went home to eat.

Here is a group that gathered around their vintage car

They even had live music! It was a great time for all-- good food, good music, and good friends!


On our way home we noticed that people had begun to turn on their own Christmas lights.

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Scuba diving on Tinian

Terri has been on leave from work for a few days, so we decided to go scuba diving. This will be our third time scuba diving on Tinian. The first time, when we were learning, was a beach dive, the second was a boat dive at Turtle Cove (each time we dove twice). This time we are taking the boat to Fleming point, which is a deeper dive, then return to Turtle cove for a second, shallower, dive.

Here is the boat and our capable driver, and Terri, waiting to shove-off

It was a great day, mostly sunny, although the water was rough when we got to the west side of the island where Fleming Point is located

We leave the dock area. There are fewer boats moored at the local dock now. Perhaps because it is rainy season


We followed the ferry out of the harbor on our way to our dive site

As we neared the dive site, the cliffs became higher. You can see the white cross located at Fleming Point. There is a permanent buoy here for the dive boats to tie to. The main attraction at this dive site is a large cave with three openings you can swim through. It was quite exiting the enter an underwater cave. The water was rough on top (which made our entry into the water more difficult (remember, we are still beginners!), but once underwater, you could not tell...

On our way to the next dive site at Turtle Cove, Terri ponders the meaning of life?


Our dive instructor fished on the way to the second dive site, but had no luck


Here I am making sure my little underwater camera is working ok...

If you look closely you will see a wonderful new fish we saw, I think they call it a lion fish



You can see our dive instructor in the distance-- keeping a watch over his wandering herd

Here are some coral formations... always with numerous fish of every color around them



Here is our dive instructor taking pictures of some small blue fish






The color of the coral and the fish are quite brilliant... my camera just doesn't do it justice!


Here was a great coral formation with little blue fish. As you neared the location, the little fish would disappear into the coral. As you moved away, they would all come out of hiding and swarm around the coral again.





This was an old stone or concrete anchor and chain left on the bottom of the ocean