My pen shakes as I write these words my mind and body exhausted from what I have just witnessed my spirit exultant in discovering the pleasures never before imagined in my experiences. Despite my doctoral degree in anthropology nothing in my brief but fulfilling academic career or my studies in the Saru Islands prepared me for what just occurred. I know Professor Wilson was hesitant to send such a young woman to conduct these studies but an old man could never have unlocked or document the secrets that I have!
As I have described in this journal I was invited to attend the sacred ceremony for my young friend Malo to make her transition into womanhood. I am fascinated by the differences in how matters such as maturity and mating even sexual intercourse are dealt with by the people of these South Pacific islands. Although we westerners are burdened by polite society and rigid decorum there is no secrecy no avoidance of the subject no matter how young the children are. Matters are discussed among all male and female without shame. It was with great anticipation that I learned that I could attend and delighted when Malo asked me to accompany her in the place of honor! I wanted to see for myself this very important aspect of Saru culture and now would be assisting her in it!
The language barrier of course is difficult but I am learning more and more each day. On the day before the ceremony Malo told me that she was to visit the medicine woman s hut to begin the process of transformation and that I could accompany her. We climbed the steep hill passing other villagers who offered hearty congratulations to the girl and who remarked how they looked forward to the ceremony. Malo would smile shyly and look down. At this point I did not know what the ceremony was like but it seemed that the village was really looking forward to it!
We arrived at the hut of Perlei the respected medicine woman of the tribe. It was dark inside and smelled of fragrant herbs. The old woman took my hand and graciously invited me inside. Malo helped to explain to me what Perlei was saying. She told me what the ceremony entailed and how our visit today was for the medicine woman to make sure the girl was ready for the responsibilities that came with the transition to adulthood.
Malo was about to become a woman and could become a partner with any eligible male on the island. Although the Saru did pair off and establish a partnership sexual intercourse was not strictly restricted to those in partnerships Read the rest of this entry »
My name is a good place to start it s Ken. I ve never married so there s no Barbie. That is by the way an old joke. I am now a refugee from the high tech world. The company which I helped found was bought and I was able to cash out plus a work contract which now was complete. It was coming to an end and the new owners did not want me to stick around. That was acceptable so I retired at the ripe old age of thirty-one.
My house was paid off with some of the money from the sale and I had a roommate who covered the taxes insurance and utilities as rent. I had always liked to fish when I was young so I started to look for a home on a lake. Since I had taken up golf while starting the business I also wanted to be on a golf course. I also wanted to get away from Atlanta s traffic and hustle. Looking around I found a place on Lake Martin in Alabama. I bought two lots and had a house designed and built while finishing the work contract.
Now the house was finished and decorated. I started living up at the lake on most weekends but this was the first time Read the rest of this entry »