Wednesday 13 October 2010

BULA FOLKS!
Where on earth do I begin now... I guess to mention the fact that I am ACTUALLY here now is a dream come true let alone Fiji being more amazing and welcoming than I could ever have imagined. I love every single thing about this place, from the lovely friendly people to the warm weather, to the insects that totally murder your arms and legs to the wrecked roads and jam packed full buses which play incredibly loud music. Even when it rains, which it seems to be doing a lot right now, this beautiful Island feels and looks like Paradise. My host mami and dad and there friends blame me for the rain, saying I brought it from Britain with me, as it didn't rain before I arrived. So for those who I promised to bring sunshine back, I can't promise anything ... :P

The train journey down to Heathrow felt like any train ride to be quite honest.. it really didn't sink in until I was lying in my hotel room on my bed listening to the hustle and bustle of Hong Kong on Friday that I realised it was really happening. Hong Kong was a bizarre experience on its own. When I finally left the airport the city was just thousand upon thousands of lights towering above you and all around you. I was physically breathless when I opened my blinds in the morning and these huge grey/glass towers stood 20+ floors all around me and here and there randomly situated were lush green hills in between them.
As I entered the arrivals area on Sunday morning, myself along with other eager holiday goers were greeted at the door by three men wearing lazy shirts singing a welcoming song and I think that's when I confirmed my opinion of Fiji - I was going to love it here.

As I got out of the car at my new home Tarra, the daughter of a close family friend ran into my arms and gave me the warmest smile ever. My host family have been more amazing than I could of asked for. They are perfect. There humour is brilliant and my room mate and me have been completely excepted into the family. I have already experienced my first Cava! Surprisingly, I quite like it! I'm called a Grub Monster there, as "tourists" usually don't like it. I love the feeling you get from it, after about 5 coconut shells full of it you feel so slow and relaxed, its brilliant. For those of you who don't know what Cava is, its a traditional Fiji drink made out of the ground up root of the Cava plant mixed up with water, so pretty much mud! Yay!

The Centre for Special Education is amazing. I'm with the Vocational Training class at the end, so I help teach a class with a pretty large age range and they are also the most severely disabled in the school, its pretty damn tough but I really like it. The first morning I was introduced to the teacher and he ran through the names of the 22 students and their disabilities and then he was off and I stood there to teach them ... maths. I know a few of you will be laughing at the idea of me teaching maths thinking 'she can't even do maths! .. Try imagine how I felt!! But I survived. A lot of the kids are very difficult but I think I am already getting through to some of them and that I will really be able to succeed something with these kids. They are precious.

All in all, three, four days? I've lost track already, seems likes months. I have completely fallen in love with this place.
P.s - something went faulty with uploading pictures to this blog, so you guys will have to wait a little longer till I can be bothered to upload them all up. :)

5 comments:

  1. Sounds good my dear
    love ya big sis

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  2. Hey Gwen!
    This sounds so amazing, and I just wanted to say how proud I am that you've managed to do this. I think that it's going to be great for you, and I just know that you're going to love it so much.

    I miss you!
    I love you.
    Els
    xxx

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  3. Gwenny!!
    This is so amazing! I'm so happy for you, you seem to already be doing so great, I hope they can see how lucky they are to have you...I'm sure there aren't many volunteers who are as motivated as you and who have as much to give as you do.
    Don't forget to check out huts on Mana island whenever you go!
    Big hugs and smiles,
    Laura xxx I love you my sweet xxx "slap" ;P

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  4. Well I found your blog at last. Sounds great. Don't forget to rest a little every day! :) all the best Dad, who does not have a profile according to this blog, so will have to remain anon emus

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  5. Sounds amazing. I wish i was with you honey. But seriously have a great time, you deserve it! I am uber jealous right now but i will shower you with slaps of jealousy when i see you when you are back (which i will, btw.)
    I love you!
    Gracie.
    xoxo

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