#12 - Performing Like a Tahitian

Almost forgot to tell you about the opportunity I was given to showcase my talents.

To get us ready for our visit to Tahiti, the onboard activities included lessons in hula dancing, Toere Log Drumming classes, and instruction on playing the ukulele.  The cruise line brought onboard a native Tahitian woman and her family who have been with us since we boarded in LA. Their job has been to educate us about life in Tahiti and prepare us to perform in the passenger show scheduled the night before we arrived in her native island.  

Some of the passengers took this very seriously and did not miss a single rehearsal.  I, on the other hand, knew that hula dancing is better left to those with a hula body.  Although my belly jiggles and wiggles, this would not delight the audience.

So I decided to try out the ukulele.  By the way, I learned that I’ve been mispronouncing the name of this instrument all my life.  It is “oo-koo-lay-lee”. There is no “you” sound in the first syllable.  Who knew?

But being able to pronounce ukulele did not ensure that I could play it.  The padding on my finger tips was not made to hold down those tight strings.  After just a couple of minutes they were practically bleeding.  I can see where developing calluses on my fingers could be a definite benefit. Or maybe I should play wearing gloves.  Or take up the harmonica instead.

So what was left for me to do?  Why, sing of course!  Join the chorus of those singing TUIHEI.  We had a handout to make this easier.   Here are the words that you, of course, will recognize.

A tui ana ra

I te hei unauna

Ei faanoanoa i to taua tino

A tui ana ra ite hei upoo

E haapeuraa na’ui i teie po 

Okay, time out.  I’ve been fighting with my spell check which as been trying to autocorrect the above song.  I’m still laughing!!

So try as she might, our Tahitian instructor had a hard time getting us to sing this correctly and in unison.   All I could think about is “Vanna, could I please buy a consonant?”  Or, as someone in the class said, “What I need is a good vowel movement.”