Okay this may be a long post but it will be worth it.
I have spent the last week and a half at Tribewanted and it is one of the best experiences of my life. It has be so rewarding that I have extended for 2 more weeks and I may extend after that.
I went into this thinking that it was a volenteer thing and that we were helping the tribe to make their village but it has turned out quite different. At times I am sure that this post is going to sound a little tree huggerish but I guarentee if any one would come they would change at least a little and no I am not a tree hugger I only hug humans and mostly of the female variety.
We took a boat from Labasa to VoroVoro island which is a amazing ride as you go through what feels like jungle then out to the ocean and onto a small island in the middle of no where. THe people greet you as soon as you get off the boat and you already start to feel like they are your family. It took a few days to get used to the surroundings but now it is easy to get around. The island is all about sustainability and using what is there to live. THe words that keep coming to mind are “living in harmony with the people and the land”.
So far I have weaved leaves to make a roof for a hut, bash and weave bamboo to make the sides, Bash trees and then make rope out of them to tie everything together, living off the land for food and true Fiji ceremonies. I have also tried spear fishing but have not gotten anything yet but I will. We also went on a snorkel trip to the 3rd largest reef in the world and it was amazing between the sharks, fish coral and caves you could not ask for much more. THere has been so many things that you forget the conditions you are living in and realize that you really do not need much to live happily. Most everyone that goes camping in Canada will have more than we do on the island. All the power comes from a small solar panel nad a small wind turbine. THe compost toliets are very different and I am sleeping on a mattress on the floor of a hut that is open air. All the huts have been made out of materials on the island and it takes about 2 weeks to complete. Yesterday I helped finish the roof on one hut and it was truely amazing to be part of the team. 3 Fijians and I working together with them putting up with my mistakes and teaching me all the proper Fijian ways to complete the tasks. At the end they said that my skin may be white but tht I am Fijian on the inside.
THe head chef is an older lady by the name of Va and her cooking is fantastic with what she is working with. Most of the meals are vegi based just because that is what they have on the island. They go to town to get sme other stuff but I have had 1 meal with beef and none with chicken since I have been there. To be honest I have not misssed them much either. Va & I have had some really good talks as she also acts as the camps mother and so I hug her every day and think of my mom and damn that feels really good. The Fijian camp leader (Tavita) and I have bonded very well and he is anamazing man. He has told me many stories. On Tuesday Tui Mali (the King of Mali District) came to the island to welcome us all to his island and family. THe ceemony was incredible and afer we drank Kava and visited. The set up is very formal and everyone has a specific spot to sit and you stay there even in the visiting time. The only person that can allow you to sit with Tui Mali is called his wingman and it is usually the village elder. I was the only one invite up front to talk with Tui mali and stayed there for about 2 hours discussing all kinds of things. To give some perspective he is a king of the district and there are only 13 kings in all of fiji that report back to the government. The only people that can become the prime minister if fiji is one of these 13 men. After everything was over Tavita asked Tui mali if he could invite to stay in their village for the weekend and go to sunday service with them. Tui Mali gave his okay and that is why I am back in Labasa today. Tavita will pick me up later today and i will spend the rest of the weekend with his family and with Tui Mali. I can’t explain what kind of honor it is for this to happen. Talking with one of the Tribewanted workers he said that in the 6 months he has been there it has happened only twice.
THe pictures i am adding are of the village and where we are living. One is of the kitchen area with the toliet in the background, one is all the other huts including the Grand Bure (community center) and another is me with Tui Mali.
It is truely an amazing experience to live off of so little and feels so good.
Now for the people;
There are 5 Tribewanted staff here (Ben, Amy, Dan, Paul and Jim) and they are all great and always give a helping hand. The other tribewanted members come and go and they have all been great. So many names and people to bond with and I have gotten to know most pretty well. The best people are the Fijians, there are about 15 on the island at most times except the weekend when they leave to attend sunday service (methodist). I have so many great experiences with them and some I have noted above but this is getting very long.
I am not sure how long I will be staying at VoroVoro but at least until the 26th of November. I will try to get into town onw more time and keep you all updated.
Take care everyone,
Steve
