Fiji Time

Bula!

I had some free time on my hand so I decided I'd blog away. Right now I am in Suva, the capital of Fiji. Suva is the only place that actually shows signs of it being winter here, as it rains all the time. The rain doesn't bother me though because it is still quite warm and always beautiful. Apart from the gray skies all you can see in every directions is green. The drive here was like arriving on the set of King Kong or Jurassic Park. The mountains are sheltered with different kinds of trees, and those trees are connected by ropes of green leaves and webs of foliage. The only variation of green in sight are the fire birds, a beautiful red flower that randomly appears in patches. I swear the mountains are just begging for me to run through them and echo Tarzan's call. Can't you see me running barefoot through the trees with a loincloth on and my dirty hair stuck in dreadlocks? Oh sweet freedom.

Anyway, staying in Suva has been so awesome for multiple reasons. For one, it is dirt cheap where I am staying: $5 a night...that's $2.50 in USD. The reason it is so cheap is because I am staying at temple housing (for you non-mormons this is just temporary housing accommodations that the church offers to people traveling far to come to the temple). It is so nice to be staying somewhere with showers that are consistently warm, beds that one can't feel the wood frame beneath, and free wi-fi! So many things I take for granted in the states now seem like luxuries. One of the many reasons everyone should get an out of the country experience is to understand how truly spoiled and blessed we are to live in America. 

Speaking of America, I had one of my most patriotic moments the other week. Our team was asked to sing our national anthem at the Bula Festival in Nadi for the US ambassador. I was looking forward to being on stage; as we all know I don't mind the spotlight. I knew I would lip sing while the talented girls boomed "oh say..." and I could easily take credit for the lovely music. This pretty much went as expected. What I didn't expect was to feel a rush of pride as I stood in front of a crowd of Fijians representing the United States of America. I have always been grateful to live in America but this trip has truly made me realize how blessed I am. I freaking love America! The land of.... toilet paper always being available in the bathroom so you don't have to shake dry....and ovens always being available so you can make brownies whenever the freak you want....and a ridiculous variety of delicious and cheap food to fulfill every craving (it is truly no wonder we are so much fatter than the rest of the world)...and of excellent customer service that values efficiency. It is the little things that I miss. 

But being here you usually don't think about what you are missing, because you are surrounded by a people that find joy from sources outside of convenience, efficiency, and money. People here run on Fiji Time. Which pretty much means if someone says they will meet you at 3, don't expect them earlier than 3:30. Being on time is just not a priority here; Fijians are much more concerned with helping people than with keeping appointments. And this is a beautiful thing, because when you are lost and ask a stranger for directions, rather than blabber off some street names, they stop what they are doing and start walking with you to your destination. And they don't stop walking with you until they are assured you know your way. 

I suppose you could argue (as I have when waiting hours for a meeting to begin) that not being on time is really a disservice to the person you keep waiting. But I think this is only true when one puts so much value on precious time. We complain when someone keeps us waiting longer than 10 minutes and stress out when traffic threatens our punctuality. We have to stick to such a tight schedule because we cram our day with so many activities. When we do this we can rarely find the time to look around and notice the needs of others. I just hope when I return to America I will always remember the radiant smiles of people with so little yet so willing to give of themselves. They give their time, something we never have enough of. 

Perhaps when fall semester begins I will look back on this post and mock this silly summer girl who lectured on making time for others. I know how crazy school+work+church+friends+boys+lskdjfskfj can make life. I know how it feels to not have a moment to spare. But I also know we all make time to watch The Bachelor, or basketball, or Facebook stock our latest crush or ex-boyfriend's newest girlfriend. I think it is good to take a moment to step back and see how if the way we use our time reflects what we value most. 

I am too tired to think of a good way to end this post soooo...nighty night! Tomorrow I travel to Raki Raki for some work and then head home for a weekend of parading with deaf people, dancing at carnival booths, and clubbing at the nearly always empty dance clubs of Lautoka. Vinaka for reading :)

This picture is from the carnival the other week. I think it is funny because it captures an interesting incident. So I went to take a picture with these boys because they were calling at me for a while so I thought I would humor them (people here love getting pics taken with Americans). So I attempt to pose for this picture when creeper (see left of me) starts pinching my butt. So this picture captures both my surprised reaction as well as his hand pulling away. I thought it was funny anyway. Yes mother, I gave him a good smack :)