The Winds and the Tides

August 11, 2009

It is Tuesday here in Fiji and today was quite a nice, relaxing day. I think most of my days these first few months are supposed to be like today, I have just been busy! This morning there was a Women’s Club meeting where we decided to have a fundraising event on Friday. The cost is 3 F$ per person and the Women’s Club will be providing tea, breads, pancakes, roti, etc. Half of the money will go to the Women’s Club and the other half will go towards the kindy! (Remember the exchange rate is 1 F$ = 0.50 USD, so really that is like $1.50 US, then split in half for each fund – not much to start a kindy – but all of their hard work does not pay a lot.)


The Women's Club during the soli accepting donations.

Yesterday (Monday), we sent Sisi to the Rakiraki Methodist School for her attachment (learning to be a kindy teacher). I have yet to talk to her to see how it is going, but I will be in town Thursday and I am going to try and stop by the Kindy to check out their supplies. I spent most of my Monday at the Navitilevu District School playing with the kids, cleaning the dorms, eating, sleeping, and speaking with the head master. He inspired me to put together a profile for my village for donors to get to know who they are donating too. I have also put together one for the school… so if anyone is interested in donating money, school supplies, playground equipment (in the form of cash most likely), computers, or sporting equipment, I am more than happy to forward the profile to you. My cousin and uncle will be getting one soon! I have amazing family!


My good friend and new Kindy teacher in my bure reading to the children!

Sunday I cooked French Toast for eight, went to church, rested, and had a kindy committee meeting.

Saturday I took my little brother Tui to the hospital because a fourth of one of his molars fell out and he has had a really bad toothache for going on two weeks now. I also shopped a lot and enjoyed holding a baby while the sun went down!

Friday I planted my garden! Well, I am trying a few things at least. I planted squash and zucchini, of which I do not see in the markets which makes me wonder if it will grow. The only other thing is tomatoes, because I was planting on the side of a mountain where the chickens love to peck and the water loves to erode away the seeds. We will take it day by day and see what happens. Oh, and poor Lisa. She is a Peace Corps Volunteer like me who came to visit me Friday night. Only problem, it was a two and a half hour hike, through the forest, in the pouring down rain, and in the dark. When she arrived she was soaked as well as her backpack. The only thing that stayed dry was the kava. Go figure. So we had a isevusevu (offering of the kava/yaqona) and then cooked spaghetti and toast (I think Megan is sending some garlic salt! It will come in handy in the future on bread and in the sauce). We stayed up pretty late telling stories, shouldn’t have, she was woken up at 6 am to start the hike back home. Lol! Short, exhausting trip! I am headed to her village tomorrow morning around 7 am and I hope I do not cross the same trouble she had.
My Na’s birthday is on August 17 (she will only be 30!) and I am hoping to take her out to lunch while in town on Thursday and possibly buy her a cake! I already bought her a new lantern as the one we currently use has started leaking after 3 years! She deserves the best! While in Suva towards the end of September I hope to get the family a new tea kettle as well. They make me just about every meal and I feel so in debt to them. Thanks Na and Ta!

I am also in debt to my village. They built my home, bathroom, footpath, and most recently Ta finished my kitchen. They filled my bure with dishes, cloth, ibes, rugs, handmade fans, handmade hat, handmade backpack, and a purse-like, handmade basket.



August 14, 2009

So, I went to town yesterday and somehow did not get this blog saved onto my flash drive, so I just posted those two pictures. Sorry there was no written update. It is above instead!

Oh my goodness, I finally got mail in my new mailbox yesterday! WOW! Kate and Megan, you are my heroes! Kate sent me two bags of silk dark chocolates, my favorite t-shirt that I will get soooo much use out of here, a keychain for my keys (with an LED flashlight!), a carabiner clip, aahhhh, and a pumous stone for my pour deteriorating soles! Hell yeah, thank you bestie! Megan sent some Jelly Belly’s!!! What a special treat! A letter and my favorite polar ice gum (of which I cannot buy here so that was amazing)! Thank you best friends for your sweeeeeet packages! I also received a letter from you, mom… a card from way back when that has been lost in the Fijian mail system. Thank you for the card and yummy smelling bookmark! My calendar bookmarks do not start until January 2010 so it is perfect until then! You are amazing!

On a different note, Wednesday morning I hiked up this huge mountain with one of the local school’s mom’s to visit the school and another volunteer, Lisa. I mean, I hiked STRAIGHT UP a rocky cliff… so tiring! Lisa and I stayed at the school all day sitting around eating… what a job huh. The eighth graders have been taking their eighth grade examinations (a big deal), so the mothers hike from all over to bring them buffet style meals. So sweet! Then, in the afternoon, we walked to her village and made Dhal soup. Who would have thought split peas and rice could be so good?? It’s like one of my new favorite dishes! Then, we sat up pretty late talking and playing with her new kitten (of which I am getting the brother next Thursday, YES)! In the morning she made Fijian porridge (oats, milk, and sugar) and her Na brought over Bubakau (just like sopapillas)! Oh, Lisa also made instant coffee with Milo… like a Fijian café mocha. It was good, for Fiji. Then it was off to Rakiraki for the normal Thursday ritual of internet, shopping, and lunch with volunteers.

After town, Ta and I stopped by Navitilevu District School for a meeting and visiting… of course, more food was involved. I will never go hungry here. We left the school after dark in torrential winds. I gathered up the two small boys on the boat, told them “dabe i ra” and covered us in a blue tarp. As we rocked up and down through the massive waves the two boys nodded off to sleep. Soon, the pitter-patter of rain began to blanket our protection. The boat continued fighting the currents, very slowly making progress towards the village. Finally, we arrived, with Nei Levu standing on the beach in a billowy red dress holding a dim lantern, somewhat resembling a lighthouse.

Lol, how do you like my tangent of a story?!

So, the ride home was eventful. Well, my battery is dying, I will write again on Monday.


My Fijian family! (Viti Matavuvale) on Na's birthday, August 17

Monday, August 17 was my Na's birthday! I baked her a cake, frosting, fruit loops and all! I also bought her a new lantern as hers has been used for 3 years and was leaking kerosene. A few of the children in the village drew her pictures which I thought was especially sweet. We also baked cinnamon rolls from scratch that afternoon. Good times.

August 20, 2009

Well, I am in Rakiraki today for "Ra" Days as we local volunteers call it. Our only release from village life! Although, I really enjoy being in the village, getting a break once a week is nice too! I did not do a lot in the last few days. Na has been sick so I have been without guidance. I have almost finished Brisinger and I have actually started reading a marine conservation textbook that I brought from home. I think it is the only one like it as marine conservation is a new subject in the scientific world. I really enjoy reading books that I learn from. So if anyone knows of good biology books, or clouds and stars, or philosophy, or things of the sort... I am open to more knowledge. I also drew up a community map of my village: everyone's home with their name attached. It should help me learn all of these extremely repetitive names. I am also starting to go through the entire Fijian dictionary so that maybe, just maybe, I can learn to speak Fijian. All I am lacking is the vocabulary. Well, I am going to answer some emails now. I hope all is well in America and I will write anyone back that writes me :)

Much love from Fiji,
Me