Prom

We recently had the second annual menwei (ex-pat) prom.

To understand prom, one must first understand Super Savers. Super Savers is a second hand clothing store on the island. Due to its odd assortment of clothing, it is assumed it somehow buys full containers of clothes that haven’t been sorted for climate appropriateness. It is very handy for people traveling to cold weather climates, like Australia in July, because no other store sells fleece jackets, parkas, or anything else one would wear in the snow.

Perusing the inventory is like taking a walk down memory lane. The racks are filled with items representative of the last three decades. Last year one of the ex-pat teachers at the college noted that they had a wide variety of 1980s era gowns. Realizing it would be a waste to let those gowns and the bygone eras they represented sit on the shelf, prom was born. It was a small affair last year, attended by about 15 or so people, at a private residence.

Once started, the concept took hold. This year the theme, “Almost Paradise,” was selected and word spread. About 40 or so attended. The party was moved from a private residence to one of the island bars. Following in last year’s example, some looked for the most comical outfits they could find. Others chose to use the occasion to put on lipstick and nice clothes.

Since last year I was voted prom king for my (very creative if I say so myself) printer paper bow tie and cummerbund, this year I went sans costume and gave someone else a chance. Boris found a purple suit jacket and almost matching purple pants at Super Saver and was deservedly crowned king.

The prom was a fitting end to the school year as many of our ex-pat friends who teach at the community college or as part of the WorldTeach volunteer program will be, in a sense, graduating as they leave the island and go on to new adventures elsewhere.