Bula and Namaste!
We have been in Fiji now for two weeks. During our first week we stayed at a training camp in Eastern Fiji called Nadave (pronounced nandave). We stayed in bures (dorms) with the other 30 Peace Corps Fiji volunteers. Boys stayed in one bure while girls were split into two. It was very much like college which was fun since John and I have been out of college for a good four years now. We enjoy all of the other volunteers; they are great individuals. Most of the other volunteers are in their mid to early twenties (I am actually the oldest girl at 26....crazy!). There are two "senior" volunteers in their 50's. They are both men and one is actually from Kodiak, Alaska (holler!). While at the training camp we had no access to email or phones. We spent our days in language and cross-cultural classes. In the evenings we enjoyed multiple kava sessions with our trainers. These sessions would last well into the wee hours of the morning. I have not acquired a taste for kava yet, it has the flavor of a dirty root. It is a huge deal here though so I am sure I will learn to love it soon. John already thinks it is great :)
On Wednesday we moved to our host villages where we will spend the next three months of Pre-Service Training. We live with local families in the Nausori area. John and I are living in an Indo-Fijian settlement with a very nice Indian widow. She has given us the Hindi names Gisel (for me) and Anmol (for John). Peace Corps has me learning Hindi while John must travel to a neighboring Fijian village to learn Fijian. We are experiencing the best of both worlds here. Tonight we will be attending our first Hindi wedding and we are very excited. One of the other host moms will be dressing me in a sari for the wedding! Tomorrow we will be going to the Fijian village where John studies for a "Welcome" church service that they have planned for the Peace Corps volunteers. Most Fijians are Christian and church on Sunday can last over two hours. After church the village will prepare a feast....I am not joking.....there is TONS of food. They make fish (all different kinds) usually cooked or fried in coconut milk and wrapped in taro leaves. They also prepare cassava, bread fruit and taro (those are staples at every Fijian meal). There will no doubt be plenty of singing and dancing as well. The Fijian people love music.
So far, John and I love this country. The people are so generous and kind. The Fijian host mothers hug and kiss you and tell you they love you after your first encounter with them.....they are very welcoming. We have yet to visit the beach but have a trip planned next Friday.
We will post some pictures on our next trip into town.
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3 comments:
Hey John and Leslie,
This is Dad, I am writting to see what you would prefer. Would you like to have us respond by this blog, email, snail mail or a combination of each? Also I sent you a solar Ipod charger. I got it thru ebay and had the dealer send it to your address there in Fiji, I also had it insured. I found a solar flashlight that also recharges AA batteries, let me know if that is something you would like. If so I will have it sent to you after we see how the first shippment goes. I understand that the local goverment may open packages and charge taxes and or tariffs, let me know if this is a problem.
We got your letter today Leslie. It was good to hear from you and that you are both ajusting so well. It is great to hear that you both love the people and the country, it will make the time go by faster. Well I have to run, I will write more later Love Dad
I love the stories and hearing all about your adventures...keep them coming! Take care :)
- Emily Holliday Allbright
This brings back memories. I was a part of Fiji 20 in 1974. Our training was similar but I think you are getting more language training than I had. That would be good. The Peace Corps was a great experience. I hope you enjoy it!
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