Tribewanted: Vorovoro

Bula sia, tribe! Wavu Jenny still here after seven months and more in love with this island, this life, and these people every day. This week, I’m having a couple of nights off to visit friends in Vuo Village on the mainland.

I’m currently sitting in the doorway of the home of my friend and Vorovoro kitchen superstar Kini, enjoying the sounds of the village drifting up the hill. It’s about six o’clock (Fiji time!) and for most people, the day’s work and school is done. There’s a rugby game going on, people are taking their baths, cooking their evening meals, or gathered together sharing news and laughing. Always laughing about something, these wonderful Fijians.

I am resting before we have our evening meal together, but first I will present my Sevusevu to Leavi (Vorovoro Crimestopper), the head of the family. After this, we will spend a relaxing evening around the tanoa (grog bowl) with talanoa (stories) and plenty of laughs and happy times until the early hours of the morning. As I’m sitting here, waiting and taking in the sights, sounds, and delicious cooking smells, I’m wondering what my Vorovoro friends are up to. Perhaps playing volleyball with Team Fiji, or an early grog session outside in the cool evening breeze? Some of the tribe may be helping Francis in the kitchen, or walking along the shore with one or more of the Cahill children in tow, chatting excitedly away. They may have, like myself, found a comfortable spot (maybe even a hammock!) to sit and take it all in. To be in Fiji, to have the time to think, to watch, to listen, to simply be, and then to have the opportunity to learn, experience, and take part in new activities when you are ready.

Tomorrow, I will go swimming and bathe in the stream, play with the babies, eat plenty of tasty Fijian food, and then in the evening, I will go down to the village to visit more friends and drink some more grog. I am such a lucky lady to be having this holiday within a holiday with these really wonderful people. Kini, Leavi, and their family have opened up their homes and their hearts to me, and made me an honorary family member. Having not seen my own family for such a long time, this visit and these people have really warmed my heart, and I’m glad I finally made it here. Kini invited me to stay at her home about 6 ½ months ago on her first day of working for Tribewanted. I’m looking forward to having this chance to continue our giggling and friendship off the island and in her home.

When my visit is over, I will be sad to leave, but excited to get back to Vorovoro to my island family and friends. And maybe we’ll even have some more grog to celebrate the end of another great week, and the return of the Wavu who went visiting.