Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Written Wednesday, July 22, 2009

A whirlwind of events in a small town girl’s life

I was thinking about this saying today. I used to have a website out there somewhere and “A whirlwind of events in a small town girl’s life” was the title. I wonder if the site still exists??

So, I am sick again, this time with a cold. It is like 60°F here, which by my standard, is cold in Fiji! The weather goes from 95 to 60 in just one night. (I promise I get sick this way in America too, I am not blaming every sickness on the weather just yet!) Blaaahhh!

Everyone took two exams yesterday, a health exam and a security exam. Quite easy. We had our Language Proficiency exam last Thursday and I definitely passed! Thank goodness. I get to swear in tomorrow! Wooo whooo! At the US Ambassador’s house too! We will definitely feel extremely special! Thank you Peace Corps! Oh, let me go through the days that have passed since my last blog.

Thursday – Language Test
Friday – Scavenger Hunt in Suva and shopping at Cost-U-More
Saturday – Home Stay Family Celebration! It was held in my host village and each volunteer and their family came for entertainment, lunch, and recognition! My village put on an amazing show, especially the turaga (gentlemen) who catered the food! Thank you for staying up 36 hours or more to throw a great party!
Sunday – Ate Katalou (breakfast with cake), Vakasigalevu (lunch), and Vakayakavi (dinner) as a group (all volunteers in my host village) and went to church at 3:00 PM for a sad farewell. Why does everyone have to cry?
Monday – Center Day in Nausori – Long day with many breaks and cake.
Tuesday – Another Center Day with exams and cake.
Today – Went to Master Niu’s (my brother) primary school and learned a lot about how to teach a kindy.
Tomorrow – Suva! Swear-in and shopping! I have five HUGE pieces of luggage so far, let’s see how much more I can make myself drag up the coast of Fiji on a rugged road in an open window bus.

Now, for a list of things I never thought I would see this Princess and the Pea do:

- Be “ok” with bugs buzzing around me all of the time
- Be “ok” with ants in my tea
- Eat any random object from a tree that I saw a child eat first
- Carve my own coconut bilo for drinking yaqona
- Learn to basket weave
- Hike for 2 hours to get to a nice snorkeling spot
- Make homemade wild berry jam (no one seems to know what kind of berries they are!?)
- Drink hot tea with lots of milk and sugar, morning, noon, and night
- Read by lantern light because I have no electricity
- Take freezing cold bucket baths because there is no water pressure and the water is not heated
- Enjoy a relaxing day on a private beach, which my village owns!
- Make a broom from scratch using coconut leaves
- Every child I cross paths with is scared of me
- Drink a grounded up root that tastes like watered down dirt
- Search the world over for ground cinnamon and garlic salt
- Have a coconut scraping and squeezing contest
- Live on the rugged coast of Fiji

P.S. I have a few people that can vouch for me, I still will not sleep on a rock hard bed! I am actually on a hunt for a nice thick mattress for my new site!
There are all kinds of things that have happened to me in the past 2 months that I can’t think of right now. All I can tell you is that I have experienced soooo much within such a short period of time. I want to thank the US Government and Peace Corps for such a neat and engaging experience!

Written Wednesday, July 29, 2009

So, I am now in my permanent village that I will spend two years of my life helping my Fijian village sustain their environment, build footpaths, start a kindy within the village, make more money, manage their money, develop a health committee, deliver fresh water to the surrounding settlements, bring a playground to the school, build a bread oven, renovate the school’s dining hall, teach extra-curricular lessons at the school, find someone to donate at least two laptops (one for the school, one for my village), wow, I could go on and on. I am so happy that there are things for me to do!

Today there was in ibulubulu. When a relative, particularly a child, visits the village for the first time he/she is treated like royalty. A ceremony is thrown for the child and many, many mats, lots of kerosene, grog, a whales tooth, and more are given to the child in the form of an offering/sacrifice. Fijians are so generous and have held on to their traditions. I am amazed. So we threw a big party today and I just got home from a grog session and dancing! Lol, yes, I am a dancer here in Fiji!
Yesterday my family and I went to our coconut plantation and wisi sasa. (removed the stem from the coconut tree leaf). My Na and Ta’s main source of income is from the sasa broom which is made from the coconut tree, a recycled tire tube, and a stick. It is extremely hard work and very time consuming. They also make pennies on the dollar. I am hoping that Virgin Coconut Oil will take off in the village. The people here would really benefit from the profit there is to be had in the VCO business.
I also attended a Women’s Group meeting yesterday and became a member. A sewing machine had been donated from a donor in India and the women were so thankful they were crying just talking about it. Simple things are taken for granted in the U.S.
On Monday I spent all day at the school talking with teachers and Lydia, building a shed for the fundraising event on Friday, and attending a School Committee meeting. I am now a member of that as well! I am responsible for drawing up the plans and estimates to build a small playground, which will be named Jamie’s Park! The school we are building it at is the oldest school in Ra and was registered in 1935!
Sunday, church and rest.

Saturday, my family and I spent all day at a private beach. Na went fishing, Ta tried to spear fish, only catching a sting ray, and the kids and I played in the water and I snorkeled a bit. Most of the reef had been overfished and damaged with tourists’ boat anchors. I cannot wait to see the taboo reef beyond our bay. The picnic at the beach was a wonderful start to my weekend. Now if I could just get well.

Friday was moving day! July 24, 2009 I moved to my village and have been happy ever since! Lol, I really do like it here. And my bure (straw house as the three little pigs would call it) is adorable and perfect!

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Week in Pictures


Our community project - waste management in action


Not much trash for an entire village in one week.


The children listening intently to the Turaganikoro


My clean up committee within the village.


The whole gang

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

ADDRESS IS FAULTY

I am soooo sorry, but the previous address I gave in Rakiraki apparently is not going to work. If you have already sent something to that address it will come back to you. I will be getting a personal PO Box as soon as possible. It will be about two weeks. If some of your mail is returned back to you please hold on to it and I will get you the right address soon. Maybe try forwarding it?? So sorry!

Friday, July 10, 2009

Snorkel in Paradise


Giant Clam

I finally got the chance to go to Suva and I ended up getting sick from my visit. Apparently I crossed paths with some kind of bug and threw up that night and was weak the entire next day. Can’t say it is my favorite place to go now. It’s all good though, at least I wasn’t one of the volunteers who had to be hospitalized!
Anyways, this week we went to an Indian settlement and learned a little about their culture. We learned how to make roti and curry (of which is too spicy for my taste) and a little about their culture and religion. Very neat experience!

















The environment sector group of FRE-7s!

Also, yesterday we went on a coral reef monitoring snorkel! I took lots of pictures and froze, but have some pretty giant clam pictures to show off! The reef was not taboo (protected), but still in good health. I was disturbed by how our boat driver handled the reef. He would stand on any coral below him, grab coral heads to stabilize himself while free diving, and pick up anything he saw… not exactly sustainable practices. A lot of Fijians see the reefs as infinite and immortal. They do not understand the effects of overfishing or killing the corals. Much to learn! That’s why I’m here!






The island we had lunch on!






So, I talked to Megan and Kate yesterday as well, and mom the day before! It is so nice to hear familiar voices and know what everyone has been up to back home! I need letters though!!! (I know Kate, yours is in the mail! I’m patiently waiting – something I have learned to do here!) I am so glad everyone is doing well without me! Lol.
The one thing (I said thing… not people, don’t get your feelings hurt!) I miss the most from the United States:

Black forest sundae – especially from Brahm’s

Ok… for those of you who do not know… moist, decadent brownies, with two scoops of succulent chocolate ice cream, covered in dark black cherries, rich hot fudge, fluffy whip cream, and a maracchino cherry… all for just $2.99. Cannot be beat. Those of you who live near a Brahm’s (Texans), please eat one for me!

Some red beans and rice from Popeyes would be pretty nice too. I will learn to make that here soon enough though!


Thank goodness they do not eat fruit bats in my village. Although, the village boys do enjoy throwing stones at them... :(

Oh, and getting protein, veggies, whole grains and milk in Fiji is quite a challenge. Milk is whole milk in powder form, protein comes in the form of fish, eggs, and sometimes beans, veggies are grown in gardens and bought in the markets, but seem to not be my favorites, and whole grains are replaced with whole meal, which means not much fiber. There does seem to be PLENTY of salty butter (bata), soya bean oil (waiwai), mayo, white bread (madrai), taro (dalo), tavioka (cassava), noodles, roti, buns, and coconut milk (lolo). Hmmm, I think I will grow a garden!
Anyways, sorry most of this comes across as negative. I am honestly having an amazing time and really enjoying the Fijian culture and people. Peace Corps has a great training program here in Fiji and I am surprised by how much they plan and do for us. Although, not having a phone at my permanent site will be a challenge. For those of you who don’t know, my cell phones (yes, two of the three companies in Fiji) do not have service at site. The only phone that will work is a land line, which I may end up getting, but I cannot call long distance on it. I will however be in town on Thursdays (Wednesday evenings back home) and at primary school on Mondays (Sunday evenings back home) if anyone wants to talk at those times my cell should work!

Well, I gotta go! Please send letters and pictures! Much love to all! Moce (Good-bye).

Thursday, July 2, 2009

Visit to my new site!!!


My Fijian BURE!!!!

I am back from my site visit at my new village! It was an inspiring trip! My village is clean, well educated, so sweet and generous, and perfect for me! My bure is stunning and fitted with a queen size bed… for me, Queen Elizabeth the 2nd (Ili)! My Na, Ta, sister Kata, and brothers Tui and Suli are absolutely amazing. The sad part is the older two go to boarding school during the week because it is too difficult to transport them all by boat each day. I mean, starting in 1st grade they board Monday through Friday. That has to be so hard on the parents and children.

On to a happy note… my bure has a view of the cliffs of Jurassic Park (thanks Lydia, stole this one from you!). There is a large volcanic rock in the center of our bay with green vines blanketing its peak. At low tide you can walk right up to it and sit in the carved crevice around its edge. Looking out my bure door there is a view of cliffs, rolling grass hills, jungle, beach, and wide-open ocean. The palm trees lean into the sea as if they are reaching for more sunlight. Ok, ok, I will quit. But, literally, it is that amazing! Also, the village youth play rugby and netball at low tide in the bay. It is still a mystery how the shells do not tear up their feet.






The men collecting dead coral to make my foot path!











The men making my footpath.





The only funny thing in my village (which happens in most villages I presume) is that the chickens climb up into the trees at night, sometimes flying into them actually. At dawn, they somehow climb right back down and scavenge the land all day long. We have a few chickens and several chicks. Apparently our vuaka (pig) is pregnant as well! Money, money, money! I am working on getting a kitten and a duckling for my first three months at site since I will not be leaving over night during this time. My family also has a dog, Robin, which chases after crabs, devouring them with precision and a crunch.

On a side note, thank you so much Luisa for staying with me those first few nights, you taught me so much about the Ra dialect and the people of my village! I appreciate it sooo much and totally owe you some cheese dip and tortilla chips! Ok, on to our hike along the bay… so the children of the village led us on a hike and showed us these seeds that bear Fijian Almonds (tavola). I am so going to try and make almond butter (like peanut butter). Mmmm! We also saw a beautiful sea snake, a crab that I could have sworn was a rock and many, many cool shells!

My Na and Nana Levu also agreed to cook most of my meals, as long as I work on my projects and cook them some American meals. I am totally in heaven! My Nana Levu made buns one day and we all made up a chant “Bani, Honey, Yummy”! Lol, corny, I know, but we thought it was funny. With a two brothers, a sister, a nice boat, a very trusting Ta, a Na that loves to fish, hike, and socialize, and the scenery that is to die for, I could not ask for more! Oh, but there is more. The village wants me to start a kindergarten as well as extra income generating activities (hopefully through niu (coconuts), ibes (mats), iri (fans), and sasasasa (brooms). I feel like these are both perfect for my interests! There is a tabu (taboo) bit of reef right outside of my village where no one is allowed to fish or damage the reef. I have not had a chance to gunu (snorkel) it yet, but I know I will be pleasantly surprised! We eat fresh boiled fish with almost every lunch and dinner and veggies and fruits from the villages’ plantations. What a good life. My impression of Fijians is that they are very loving parents, hard-workers, generous, inviting, helpful, and trusting. They may live on Fijian time, but to work side-by-side with them is a blessing!


My brother Suli!!

Oh, and yesterday I received packages from Teresa Hosey, Aunt Lisa, and Sissy!
Thank you sooooo much for the kids' toys, dried fruit, CHOCOLATE, pictures, clothes, dryer sheets, etc! I am the most spoiled Peace Corps Volunteer ever! Thank you, thank you!