On Thursday we started our international orientation. There is a group of about 10 from a program called Australearn which most of them are from the US. There is an other group around that size from UWP (a Wisconsin Program) all are from the US but not all are from Wisconsin. There are also a couple people from Australia, Japan, Canada, French Canadians, and Africa. The diversity is so great to see and it has been fun getting to know people. I’m looking forward to the next 5 months of my life!
We started orientation with speakers from the campus informing us of what is going on at campus as well as safety and things to do off campus. Thursday night we went to a Chinese restaurant for a buffet, it was soo good! Yum!
Now, to what I really want to talk about. Yesterday, Friday, we went to Vusama Village. It is the earliest known village to settle in Fiji. So cool! The drive to the village took about 3 hours from USP, but what a drive it was. Words cannot describe how beautiful this country is. Fiji is a developing country but a gorgeous country that’s for sure! Sadly I didn’t get pictures because I was on the inside on the bus and it was raining almost the whole way. But to try and describe it, hmm.. It was green hills everywhere! There were so many different kinds of trees that fill up the hills with different leaves and figures to make each tree look special. Then about an hour into the drive there was green filled hills on one side and the ocean on the other. At the time I was listening to my ipod on my Christian playlist and it fit perfectly. It was such a good reminder how amazing our God is. The scenery is just a tiny piece of God’s artwork on earth. The thought for the day in my journal today read, “ Savor little glimpses of God’s goodness and His majesty, thankful for the gift of them: winding pathways through the woods, a bright green canopy overhead, and dappled sunshine falling all around.” It fit these last two days perfectly.
As for the Vusama Village. When we got there we had a traditional welcoming ceremony in their main meeting room. It was all in Fijian so I didn’t understand it but it was still fun to experience. Then we had to try Kava which is… not good! Kava is where they pound roots from the ground and use the powder to mix with water. So basically it is dirt water. It is “disrespectful” to say no when they come to you to drink it. I drank it twice but I had to politely say “no thanks” after that! Friday night we danced. If a guy came and touched a girl that meant you had to go dance with him and vis versa if women touched a man. They dance and drink kava till about 4:30 in the morning! I did not make it that long! On Saturday we were supposed to go on a tour of the village but the rain put a kabash to that. It worked out great though because we got to make handmade arts and crafts all morning/afternoon. We had 3 meals while we were there and they were interesting to say that least! I have to say I am not a fan of being able to see a fish’s eye while eating it! But Rice was always a safe bet along with some noodle dishes! As for my FAVORITE part of the village. It was the KIDS! (Go figure, me loving kids.) Oh, they were precious. The most definitely stole my heart from the beginning. They loved getting their pictures taken and taking pictures then looking at them! They learned my name quickly and would come up to me and just say my name and smile. Hearing them yell my name from far away just to wave made me smile. The village was most definitely a success!
My Bed at the Village ( mosquito net above my head)
Dinner table ( It is on the ground)
I forgot to mention when you are in the meeting you room you always have to sit indian style.
Me, Andi, and Christine ( spelt differently on Fijian)
Me and the Kids
Last night we had our first cockroach in the house! Ick!! The geico’s, ants, and some spiders I can deal with but getting used to coackroach’s may take a little while!
Reality check in Fiji:
As for what I have experienced in Fiji so far has made me appreciate the United States more greatly than I ever thought I would. Having internet is a privelege hear and we only get so much free internet. At first I felt like it was a joke to only have so much internet per month but that really makes a person appreciate the capability of getting to go on the internet. I have also learned it is a huge privilege to TV especially cable TV. Although I didn’t watch all that much TV at home it was nice to be able to turn it on. Here having 4 channels and 2 working channels, it is quite a difference but a good change! The biggest reality check for me was going to the village. They have so little but make so much of what they have. They are the happiest people just because they have each other. It makes me that much more thankful for everything I am fortunate to have in the US. Fiji has been and eye-opening experience but a great on indeed!
New word from Fiji: Tuolo ( Ch-oo-low) Meaning: Excuse me
God Bless!
P.S. You can find more photos on Facebook!
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