The weather forecast said we were in for some stronger trades, so we joined three other boats (Pojean, Mariposa, and Anahata) up in the northernmost part of the atoll for some better protection. We anchored off the islet called Enijabro, and you can see the geography on the satellite image below:
The northern tip of Ailuk
There is a small village on the nearby islet called Enejalar, and Tim and the boys also had some fun with the kids from that village skim boarding on the nearby sand bars. The northern most islet in the image above is the one where the guys harvest copra, so for a couple of days we gave the boys the option of doing school or going and helping with the copra, and Alex chose copra both times. Tim went lobstering twice with some men from the village and they were successful both times!
Since we had a group of boats together we decided to do something crazy and have our own pig roast. James from Pojean arranged to purchase a pig from some folks from the village on Enejelar, and we all pitched in. Part of the deal was that they would slaughter it for us, but that we would roast it ourselves. James was pretty much in a huff when he picked up the slaughtered pig since they had taken the ears, and apparently the ears are somewhat of a delicacy. Anyway, there is a homestead on Enijabro, and Tim talked to the guys there to get their permission for us to roast the pig, and it didn’t take long for them to volunteer to help. It’s a good thing too, because they knew what they were doing, and we clearly did not. We took our instant read meat thermometer ashore, and I’m sure they must have been mocking us in Marshallese about that!
Tim gets a lesson on how to roast a pig
A cruisers’ pig roast feast
The morning after the pig roast, we went along with the other cruisers to the village in order to share some of the leftovers. I have to admit that I felt awkward and embarrassed at times, because I felt like we were acting like white saviors, arrogantly assuming these people needed our food handouts. And even if they did, it seemed like it could be handled in a more discrete way, in a way that allows a bit of dignity to be preserved. However, that all passed and the morning ended with some music: Jim belting out When the Saints Go Marching In and some of the locals singing the Ailuk Anthem, and we all relaxed together and enjoyed each other’s company. I spoke with a woman who has grown children and was very interested in our life on the boat, especially give the ages of the boys. These are my favorite moments on the islands, when I have a conversation with a woman and we are just two moms who can relate to each other.
Learning how to eat Pandanas Fruit at Enejalar
Gresham Family Exodus 