Street Cred

Spearfishing.

The word itself sounds pretty bad a**, right? When I originally found out my placement in Majuro, I cast away any dreams of spearfishing and living an outer island life I had. However, I didn't picture how close I would come to experiencing these outer island traditions. One of my favorite activities is visiting my friends, Malcolm and Kiersten, on Ejit. While Ejit prides itself on being an outer island, it is still within the Majuro atoll and reachable either by walking at low tide on the reef or by a quick boat ride. Since the waters are cleaner in this area and reefs more abundant, my roommates and I often head out to Ejit to snorkle, swim, or just relax. More recently, we've been introduced to the sport of spearfishing. Malcolm was kind enough to show me how to spearfish and it has become absolutely addicting. Holding the spear and actually catching a fish on it the first time was a thrill for sure. It's become more than just a thrill though, and now a path to Maj street cred.

The last time I went spearfishing, I wasn't planning on going out for too long since I had a bit of a cold which created a lot of pressure when I dove down. But after everyone had taken their turn on the spear, I decided to fish a little and just practice a bit. Within ten minutes and an underwater struggle, I popped my head above the water, proudly showing off the 3-4 foot long fish I caught. (note: this was literally the biggest fish I have ever caught, poles and spears combined)
That night, after chopping the head and tail off the fish and gutting it, we cooked and ate the fish (of course after checking with local islanders that it was o.k. to eat). (pictures of fish to come soon!)

The next week, I was in a boat on my way to Ejit and a middle schooler was along for the ride as well. He looked at me and goes, "Aren't you the one who caught the dok?" 'Dok' is the name for the type of fish I had caught the previous week (and fyi I completely made up that spelling). I smiled and said yes, realizing that I have indeed gained street cred in the Marshall Islands.


(Note: Due to cultural norms (aka "Manit"), I have to cover my knees and shoulders at all times, even when I swim, hence the guam)