Hello dear family and friends.
We had the privilege of spending a few days last week with Ben and Kaba (two Fijian staff) at their village. Village life is slow and deliberate. The day is filled with preparing the next meal over an open fire, tending to the animals and sitting about sipping tea while catching up with the neighbours. Fijian culture is to share time and possessions freely, and we were made to feel very welcome whilst blundering our way through customs and cultural etiquette.
Village homes are made of a mixture of wood, bricks and corrugated iron. Most contain only one room where the whole family eats and sleeps, however Ben and Kaba’s home was re-made by missionaries when their house was near collapse and now includes a separate bedroom.
Fruit trees are dotted around the village – mangoes, papaya and coconut galore! One of the boys showed us how to scale a tree to pick the coconut and we enjoyed some ultra-fresh coconut juice straight from the shell.
And to top the week off we celebrated our first anniversary (paper isn’t it?) by sneaking into a local hotel and using their pool for the afternoon.
Glad you managed a little treat for your 1st anniversary! It’s amazing how these people are so content with what they have while folks at home never seem to be content. Enjoy the local hospitality as I’ve heard that the Fijians are exceptionally welcoming people. Love to both of you xx
Loving the photos and insights into Fijian culture, miles away from hospital/dental life!?!…and the impending Scottish referendum! It must be weird for you guys? Anyway glad to hear you are settling in well. God speed!
Loved reading through the blog, who knew Genius Ali was a great blogger too, next stop might be the vlogging sensational Mr DeZeeuw on YouTube eh?! :P. Glad you had some time to yourselves for your anniversary. So how you finding village life? Can we see pics of where you are staying? Glad your settling in well. Sending lots of love, and rib crushing hugs! Xxx
Alas Tash, your initial instincts were right. I am talentless, and it was Mrs de Zeeuw who wrote this blog. We’ll probably have more pics of the base up soon with our next post.