Tribewanted: Vorovoro

Just for a change: BULA SIA to all! Being a tipycal brazilian it’s very commom to greet people in a loud and warm way and for those who know me, definetly got an idea what I am talking about… I’ve been away from home (Brazil) for 8 years and during this period I miss a lot a friendly, happy and optimist atmosphere. Also a simple smile and eye contact to the other, no matter race, type of class you are is very important to make everyone moving to one direction. Basically, people looking after each other!
For 7 days, as Nomad, I felt very happy because I found a little taste in a small Wonderful Island in South Pacific, called VOROVORO, must say WOROWONDERFULLLL, where not just a very warm BULA SIA is used, but also, an amazing people, culture, music, traditional ceremonies and cuisine. For sure, a special place where you are surrounded by people who are looking forward for new and an unique experience like a “Tribe is Wanted”. Crossing by boat the sea channel from main land to the Island, instantly, I could feel the Modern Era staying behind. Preparing myself going back to the basics. My first step into the Island, I could feel how peacefull and good harmony the piece of land is. All tribe members became very close to me and after 10 minutes everyone was calling my name like LICADU, RIVALDO, RONALDO, CADO and correctly Ricardo, then. It didn’t really matter for me because at the time I got a nickname RICOTE which is according to them my Fijean name. Anyway, I knew was coming from the heart.
By the afternoon tea, I was feeling more comfortable and real part of the family. I was taken for a nice showaround in the village Vorovoro and it was very interesting to see the water tanks – filled with rain water, power house – using wind molin rouge, water pipe structure, compost toilet and whole wasting system built in a very simple way but, very efficient. Absolutely astonished because the Ecosystem idea is very well planted in each construction in the island and you can’t see waste at all!!!! Really impressed! Small technologies and big ideas brought and made together from all tribe members who lived the experience and helped to improve the village without hurt the ecosystem.
By night, still on the day one, after a tasteful dinner on a special table located in front of the endeless blue sea we colud watch the sunset and all magnificent colours changing through out the sky and for dessert I had my first KAVA session, must well known as Grog. Very informal ceremony, we had to be seated in circle having TANOA (bowl) in the middle and we were having a traditional drink, chatting, playing, singing, etc… By the time, listen to local Fijeans tune, I took the opportunity to sing a long a brazilian tune, called “CHALANA”, from Almir Sater, very popular from Pantanal, known as Wetlands in Brazil. It was one of the unique experiences for me watching them looking at me, feeling the song without understand any word of it. They really like it because on the next day and Kava session I was asked to sing again.
After while, watching the star with clear sky I went to bed smiling to myself very happy and with a certain to be booked a right trip with a real experience…
On day 2, very early start, breakfast was set at 7o’clock fiji time. After that, we went to snorkle 2 miles away from the village above the reef sharks, believe or not, another unique and freaky experience for me, snorkling with diverties species of fishes and some sharks surrounding me. I was scared at the beginning but throught out the activity I was enjoying to watch their ballet below me. Although, ciclones were around by the time, the weather was superb, sunny having some showers in the afternoon to cool down the heat and make more powerful my natural shower – the waterfall – just five minutes from the village. By the afternoon I started my action plan for the village which was to bring life back to TANOA PARK. As a Brazilian I would feel very negligent leaving the Football Stadium in a bad conditions. For those who doesn’t know, TANOA PARK is similar to world famous and gloriuos MARACANA in Rio de Janeiro, with capacity to 120.000 people (maybe in the future – you never know), jokes a part and seriously talking, I started to sorting out whole footie pitch to discover potencial footballers in the village…By night, feeling a bit tired, could enjoy a Kava session and watch the star with a radiant moon too. I can spend hours watching the south hemisphere sky. On the day 3, we had cultural exchanging with children in a local school Village (Mali District School)located in another island. Roughly, there are 80 kids from 06 to 14 years old and it was simply amazing exchanging energies like reading books, playing rugby, footie with them. I could notice loads of potencial coming up for fijean sport but, what they really love is to take and pose for photos with our digital cameras. Back to Vorovoro, in the afternoon I was still on my action plan to bring life back to TANOA PARK. I must say it was very therapeutic doing that. My concerne was that 7 days wolud be very short time to start to do a project. So, I decided to keep it up what the village has… On the day 4, pretty much snorkling in the morning and continuing sorting out Tanoa Park. By the afternoon we had to more new members in Vorovoro, my Friend Angel who told me about the programm in the island and an amazing and beautiful Ladie who, few days later, made Vorovoro much more special… On the day 5, sunday, we had to cook ourselves!!!! Jesus! who knows how to cook? and without gas!! must be with wood!!! Luckily, the chicken cacthers were succesfull on the mission and we had a chicken soup for lunch. By night, we had a special italian night with TARANTELA cuisine made by one of the tribe members. I was absolutely delightful the food. Well Done guys! On day 6, I used to love waking up every single morning, go snorkle and then have breakfast, going to Tanoa Park to sweat a lot, back for lunch, have a nap and back to Tanoa Park. this afternoon we were taken to the burial sacred place in the Island. Not many people go there. We received six more new members in the tribe, although those new ones were from New Caledonia TV CREW and they were making a documentary about the culture, traditions, etc… On the day 7, in the morning we had a big meeting to discuss agenda of the day. The project is to put tin roof on the top of ecotricity house to avoid problems in the future, especially with the rain. By the afternoon a formal KAVA ceremony with the presence of the big chief Tui Mali was done in the village. You could hear the locals members banging the LALI to call other members. For some reason I was one of the TANOA’s guardian. I loved the ritual and how is very important for them to follow it. Kind of welcome you to the village – called savu-savu- and I had opportunity to talk direct to the chief let him know how amazing the programm is. He was very surprised for receiving someone from Brazil in the Island. He said I could teach them football. Also Tui Mali was delightfull with new Caledonian TV Channel and one of the new members who was showing him a STACK CUP performance, a potatoe home made bazooka gun – very funny to see Tui Mali trying to do as well. In the same day, we had another big celebration – community manager’s birthday – legendary and the espirit of Vorovoro TEVITA. By night, a wonderfull banquet for 30 people roughly, with a typical Fijean cuisine. the celebration day couldn’t finish without a KAVA session!!!!! more music maestro! On the 8, the leaving day, I woke up normally, feeling happy with a wonderfull sensantion inside of my heart. Sensation to have enjoyed and be part of the Fijean culture. The TANOA PARK was done, ready to host the biggest event in the island from the all times! The winner is going to receive a COCOCUP… unfortunately, one week in the island was too short, and the big match will happen soon, eventually. So, keep loogged on the website to find out more… After breakfast, the leaving line was done and throughout a beautiful song I was hugging one by one and finished with a special hug in my love… In this moment I can see my heart is very strong!!! leaving Wonderful people, wonderful love, wonderful time! Couldn’t stopping waving until VOROWONDERFULLLL was looking smaller staying behind. For a moment I couldn’t hear, see anything. I had just time to lay down on the boat, close my eyes and feel one wonderful sensation to have had an Unique Experience. Remember taking the airplane back to NADI, starting to go back to my CRAZY TRIBE – which is called CIVILIZATION and reality. KEEP IT UP GUYS!!!! VINAKA VAKA LEVU TO ALL, MOCE SOTATALE….