Author Archives: vberruz

My mother and Sophie visited Palau during the first week of July.  I had been home during the last two weeks of June, so we all traveled to Palau together (well, most of the way, but that’s the topic of … Continue reading →

Yes, my posts are LONG overdue.  No, I don’t have a decent excuse.  So, let’s cut the chatter and get to what’s important.  Let’s talk about MY LOVE OF THE GAME, the game being basketball.  Obviously. The last time I … Continue reading →

On September 9, 2010, I said goodbye to Maryland and began my trek west that would eventually end in Palau.  I said goodbye to my family, my friends, and my boyfriend Mat.  On March 9, 2011, exactly six months later, … Continue reading →

I was never a big-time theater-goer.  Sure, I enjoy watching movies on the big screen, but I’ve never enjoyed forking over upwards of $8 to see a flick that I may or may not enjoy.  This is especially so when … Continue reading →

After several weeks of not posting, I am resuming my regular blog posts. In all honesty, I took a breather because I had nothing new to write about. My days were veritable repeats of other experiences I had already described … Continue reading →

Two weeks ago I went on a snorkeling trip with a bunch of friends.  We had won the trip at an auction back in November, and we were finally able to make it happen.  We began the day at 9am, … Continue reading →

Like any country, Palau has a rich history of customs and traditions. Last weekend, I was invited to attend my first Palauan funeral. The deceased was the wife of Nelson, one of the maintenance workers from the courthouse. Typically, a … Continue reading →

I left you last with stories of the natural world. We pick up now with the societal, human-influenced differences that stand out to me the most, beginning with customer service. Hospitality. Apart from foreign aid, Palau’s number one economic driving … Continue reading →

My life in Palau (in the most general sense) is not much different from my life in the states.  I still have internet access and a cell phone.  My paycheck is deposited directly into my U.S. bank account.  Gasoline is … Continue reading →

Having grown up in Maryland and spent nearly every Christmas in a chilly climate, it has been a strange experience living in a warm climate for the holidays.  Despite the insane Christmas decorations adorning every business and nearly as many … Continue reading →