Carved story boards – these were in the gift shop at the jail. All tell stories of Palauan myths,

The fishing fleet. Palau supplies Japan with over $2B in sashimi each year.

The tennis tournament – A master's (old people) tournament. I won my first round and then was rained out at 1-5 when I played against Ben (singles!)

Had the honor of attending a First Birth Ceremony. This usually occurs about a month after the first child is born. The child's mother returns to her family's home where she is bathed for 7 – 14 days in very hot water and herbs. She is then put in her skirt and headdress, which represent her clan and is led out to the center of the festivities. Here all of the women in her family and the child's father's family dance around her. She is oiled in turmeric and ginger and presents herself to her betrothed's family – standing in front of them in one position for 2 to 3 hours.

 

Over $20,000 was raised for the family and 2 Palauan money beads (priceless).

The boys sit on the sidelines watching their crazy Aunties and Mothers. When songs about clans or islands are sung the women from that area or clan all get up waving dollars in their hands for the musicians and the new family.

My favorite was a 70 year-old Palauan auntie who was about four feet tall – she out-danced all of them