Laura and I arrively safely in Nadi, Fiji early yesterday morning. We were met at the airport by Jit, a friend of the family who agreed to host us during our two-day layover here. I found Fi and Api through the Couchsurfing organization (http://www.couchsurfing.org/). I read on their profile that they had hosted over 100 travelers and they had areceived nothing but positive reviews!
Fi and Api live in the village of Viseisei, which was the first one established on the Viti Levu island. Despite arriving around 6am, the couple greeted us warmly. Inside, I noticed a small girl of about one-year old sleeping peacefully on a mattress on the floor. I learned that "Lessi" was not Fi and Api's daughter but the daughter of one of their neighbors. Api explained that everyone in the village is related and therefore it was expected for children to roam between the homes. Everything is shared and Lessi will be cared for by everyone in the village. I enjoyed spending time with Lessi and she quickly became comfortable with climbing on my lap to cuddle whenever I was around!
Our room was simple yet comfortable with two twin mattresses on either side, a wooden dresser piled high with Fiji travel information, and a piec of fabric hanging from the entryway for privacy. Despite the long plane ride (which Laura slept during but I could not) we were eager to explore, so Api gave us a quick tour of the village. As we walked, locals called out "Bula!" to us, which means "Welcome!"
The day grew hot and sticky so we decided to go swimming. Api works as a musician at a local resort, The Anchorage Hotel, where they have an amazing pool. He said the hotel would probably let us have a "day pass" to the pool is we asked and sure enough $5 Fijan dollars later (the equivalent of about $2.50 USD) we were happy and refreshed relaxing in the water. Api arrived later and we enjoyed listening to him strum Fijan tunes on the guitar as the sun began to set over the ocean.
By the time we returned to the house, we were exhausted from the previous day's travel and promptly fell asleep. A few hours later, I woke up to the sounds of music and laughter. Laura looked so peaceful sleeping I decided not to wake her. Outside, I learned that the chief was allowing the villagers to celebrate the New Year for a few more days and during that time they were permitted to listen to loud music. Indeed, all around me I heard the sounds of children chasing each other, women singing along with acoustic guitar, and young adults dancing to American rap/reggae music. And Fi was about to prepare kava for us all to drink.
Kava is the Fijan drink of choice. The kava root had already been pounded into a fine powder by some of the men in the village and I helped her pour 4 small bags of it into a bowl filled with water. Fi mixed the two together using a special cloth and within a few minutes the muddy looking liquid was ready. Fi and Api explained how I was to take the kava in the traditional way. You clap either once or twice with the "hollows of your hands," and a small bowl of kava will be handed to you. With an enthusiatic "Bula!" you drink the entire contents of the bowl before returning it to your host and clapping once again. I enjoyed a few more cups with Fi and Api before spending the rest of the evening meeting, talking, and laughing with other people in the village.
Fi and Api live in the village of Viseisei, which was the first one established on the Viti Levu island. Despite arriving around 6am, the couple greeted us warmly. Inside, I noticed a small girl of about one-year old sleeping peacefully on a mattress on the floor. I learned that "Lessi" was not Fi and Api's daughter but the daughter of one of their neighbors. Api explained that everyone in the village is related and therefore it was expected for children to roam between the homes. Everything is shared and Lessi will be cared for by everyone in the village. I enjoyed spending time with Lessi and she quickly became comfortable with climbing on my lap to cuddle whenever I was around!
Our room was simple yet comfortable with two twin mattresses on either side, a wooden dresser piled high with Fiji travel information, and a piec of fabric hanging from the entryway for privacy. Despite the long plane ride (which Laura slept during but I could not) we were eager to explore, so Api gave us a quick tour of the village. As we walked, locals called out "Bula!" to us, which means "Welcome!"
The day grew hot and sticky so we decided to go swimming. Api works as a musician at a local resort, The Anchorage Hotel, where they have an amazing pool. He said the hotel would probably let us have a "day pass" to the pool is we asked and sure enough $5 Fijan dollars later (the equivalent of about $2.50 USD) we were happy and refreshed relaxing in the water. Api arrived later and we enjoyed listening to him strum Fijan tunes on the guitar as the sun began to set over the ocean.
By the time we returned to the house, we were exhausted from the previous day's travel and promptly fell asleep. A few hours later, I woke up to the sounds of music and laughter. Laura looked so peaceful sleeping I decided not to wake her. Outside, I learned that the chief was allowing the villagers to celebrate the New Year for a few more days and during that time they were permitted to listen to loud music. Indeed, all around me I heard the sounds of children chasing each other, women singing along with acoustic guitar, and young adults dancing to American rap/reggae music. And Fi was about to prepare kava for us all to drink.
Kava is the Fijan drink of choice. The kava root had already been pounded into a fine powder by some of the men in the village and I helped her pour 4 small bags of it into a bowl filled with water. Fi mixed the two together using a special cloth and within a few minutes the muddy looking liquid was ready. Fi and Api explained how I was to take the kava in the traditional way. You clap either once or twice with the "hollows of your hands," and a small bowl of kava will be handed to you. With an enthusiatic "Bula!" you drink the entire contents of the bowl before returning it to your host and clapping once again. I enjoyed a few more cups with Fi and Api before spending the rest of the evening meeting, talking, and laughing with other people in the village.
Sounds like an amazing trip so far!! Don't drink too much kava and post some photos for us!! Love you and miss you!! Mom
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