Hi, everyone! Lucy here (from an internet cafe in Tavua) to update you on our latest adventures!
We arrived in Rabulu (the location of our two week home-stay) last Monday after three bus rides that totaled about five hours of travel. Luckily, once we arrived in the village, we were greeted with music and warmth, as well as a special “cava ceremony” where we got introduced to the elders of the village. We all got to try some of the root tea, which tasted quite interesting (but was enjoyed by most), and from there we were distributed to our families.
Work started on Tuesday – our job is to build a cement path in the village – and we have been working hard with the locals for the past week. Everyday, we get a lot done and I’m confident that by the end of our time in Rabulu there is going to be a great new path for the villagers! It’s been pretty hot, so though we are adjusting well to the weather, lots of water has been shared among the group. After our work days, we have been able to explore the village and get to know our families, as well as enjoy tea time every afternoon. Many days we have played with the children of the village who are super energetic and fun to spend time with, but other afternoons Api (the village liaison or turanikoro in Fijian) has scheduled special activities for us. We have been lucky enough to take a boat to the ocean and spend time on a sand bar watching the sun set, help garden and clear an area where cassava is going to be planted, hike, ride horses, and tomorrow we are going to get to go to the nearby Fiji water plant for a tour! Even with all of the great activities we have had some down time and we are spending it together – getting to know each other, playing lots of cards, reading, and journal-ing (some of us more than others).
Everyday continues to be filled with fun, new experiences, and we are all having the time of our lives! Everyone says hello and sends love to their friends and family! We’ll update again soon!
-Lucy
