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).

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!

This picture was taken at a village very close to where I am going! Beautiful huh?! I actually have to take a boat across this bay to get to my village!


Hey everyone! So, I am doing well! On Monday night we held out village meeting, conducting a priorty needs assessment! We spoke mostly in Fijian with the help of Sau (our amazing Language Coordinator and Facilitator). The meeting went perfectly and we got the information from the community that we needed! Success! Yesterday we went on a field trip to a commercial kitchen, a bakery, and an ecotourism project for cruise ships. It was pretty neat, except that when we got back we had language class and a language protenciency test. Blah. So, honestly I just never get a break. Training is very fast paced and cram-packed with things to do, all the time! I learned to fill a stove with kerosene and light it and how to pull cassava (tavioka) and cook it. Also, today for lunch, my sister Delena made me fried chicken and mashed potatoes. Can't beat that huh! Anyways, I will say more later when I actually have something to say! Much love! Miss you all!