Well, not that much has happened this week(end), compared to last week(end).
Wednesday was the last day of summer school, so we had a small party for the girls. They even put on a dance show for us, showing us some type of dance that kind of looks like the hula. The girls were very sweet and appreciative of all the thing we have been doing with them for the past few weeks.
After class a bunch of us went to visit a village called Sawakasa. They don't live in complete poverty - i.e. they have minimal plumbing and electricity and they hardly have any material wealth. They were very welcoming though. We got to participate in a kava ceremony. Kava, or 'dirty water' it is a tradition drink that the Fijians drink. It wasn't as bad as everyone made it out to be. In that sense, I didn't hate it, but I didn't love it either...kind of makes your mouth go numb. The ceremony also involves clapping before and after someone drinks - guest always go first and you have to drink it in one gulp; you can't refuse the first cup, but you can refuse everyone there after if you like.
We went on a very long walk afterwards and it was hot hot hot, so at the end of it we all took a dip in the creek...in our clothing since no one had their bathing suit.
For dinner they cooked us - dalo leaves (which is kind of like spinach) and something else that was kind of like potato. There wasn't a lot of flavour, but it does fill you up fast! We also got to try mud crap...they weren't very big, so there wasn't a lot of meat, but it was still tasty. They was going to be a band to play some traditional music for us, but they were too shy because there were too many of us...so they told us to rest for a bit then we ordered a mini van to come take us home. It was a lovely experience though. And again, everyone always says bula!
Thursday it was raining so we delayed going Forest Park - it's a rain forest with waterfalls. So I just hung out at my host family house for most of the day reading; not much else to do when it rains that hard! We had our weekly social that night - it's great to get a chance to meet/hang out with the volunteers that are at other placements different from your own. Went out to the same bar that we always go to after our social...not my favourite place to be because it's so smokey, but it's great to be able to dance with friends.
Friday we went to Pacific Harbour, which is only an hour away - much better than going all the way to Nadi! We didn't do anything Friday night, just took it easy. Saturday we found a fantastic deal - $30Fijian to go snorkelling on a tiny little island! It was beautiful - very colourful fish and coral! I forgot my waterproof camera so I'll have to go snorkeling again soon! Saturday night we walked to one of the other hostels because we heard there was lot's going on there because there was a mini rugby thing going on....it was a huge bust though. There were lot's of people there, but the band was terrible. And then today we just got up and came home. So, not as fun as last weekend, but still snorkeling made it all worth while.
Tonight there aren't any plans...but tomorrow we are probably going to go to the Fiji museum here in Suva and then probably go and see a movie - only $6Fijian! And Tuesday back to class! So, hopefully starting Tuesday there will be a more solid routine to my days.
