Synopsis
Charles and Paula Sellens present a chronology of their lives as Peace Corps Volunteers in the Solomon Islands. The Sellens tell about their experiences in an easily read, humorous way. Their narrative begins with their applications in which Charles offers tongue-in-cheek reasons for wanting to join. He claims motivations of wanting to see young, beautiful, scantily clad maidens. He also professes of wanting to be assigned far away to get away from sons, achieve shellback status, and find previously unknown tribal medicines to make himself rich. Charles feigns shock when their recruiter tells them about the hardships they could expect including poor food, strange diseases, and unknown customs they would be expected to observe. The recruiter shows a short movie clip taken by a Peace Corps Volunteer. The film shows a young, African man running toward a camera positioned behind a small, stagnant pool of water. The runner is emaciated, needs a good bath, and is totally naked. He runs in an awkward, side-to-side, loping gait. His large penis swings powerfully, pendulum like, as he nears his goal. When he reaches the water, he throws himself to the ground and drinks deeply from the filthy liquid.The Sellens endure Peace Corps training and are assigned to Malaita Province as community development workers. They travel to many Malitian villages with their jobs. Several usually stoic Malitian men tell Charles their grandfathers would have been honored to have him for dinner as the main course. Paula adapts and excels to living in the male dominated Solomon culture. Paula’s and Charlie’s efforts in writing 2 Years, 2 Shellbacks demonstrate that their service provided them with many happy memories. The Sellens document making life-long friends with Solomon Islanders and expatriates. Their book captures the rich and diverse cultures, languages, and customs that characterize Solomon Islands villages. The Sellens are not always politically correct when describing their interactions with Solomon Islanders and other expatriates. The volume provides insightful, new perspectives about Peace Corps lives in developing countries. The pictures add valuable perspectives to their written words. They participate in filming a shark caller’s documentary where they are called on to settle a major dispute between Laulasi natives and the Australian film makers. They learn Melanesian customs and survive a memorable trip to Ngongosila Island. They instigate several community development projects in portable sawmills, health and nutrition, women in development, tourism, reforestation, and others.Charles observes a unique ancestor worship ceremony in a pagan Begau village. The Sellens travel to Australia, New Zealand, and many islands in the Solomons. They visit Kennedy Island in Western Province. They receive an invitation from three Kwaio chiefs to live the rest of their lives with the fierce tribe. They end their book and Peace Corps service by traveling to Japan where Charles takes a job with the Japanese government and Paula begins a successful, private English school. A wonderful finish to an extraordinary experience.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
