Only dust remained on the chalkboard, a wispy reminder of the lessons that covered it moments before. Outside, the motley assortment of sandals that lived on the front step were hurriedly dumped into the closet and the water basins cleared of dirty dishes. Rickety wooden shutters were slammed closed; overhead lights were switched off; five … Continued
Smiles are the currency of Tonga. The man with the battered boom box wore one as he swayed to a steel drum beat. Grinning at nothing in particular, one hand held the portable machine while the other slapped out a rhythm on his thigh. “Hey prince, hey princess,” he called out to us, “welcome to paradise!” … Continued
Brass notes hit us before the heat, rushing loudly through the opened airplane door. “Who called out the band?” I asked my boyfriend. Polished tubas and trumpet bells glinted under the airport floodlights. Above the instruments, locals cheered and waved frantically from a second-story deck. Smiling graciously, I felt like a celebrity, not a tourist. … Continued