Tribewanted: Vorovoro

You can’t help but do that. Vorovoro stays with you, in your heart and your head. But remember – as well as the passion for doing, and getting active, the other thing to take away with you from Vorovoro is the Fiji time concept. Things get done at a certain pace and a certain way – no use getting stressed by kicking against it.
One other thing to take back from the island- the lesson of Pupu Epeli that “nothing is hard in this world”. Though I did mutter that through distinctly gritted teeth the other day when I was struggling to dig up the garden…

You make a lot of sense..maybe I fear that Im the one actually stifling the things I want to happen? Ill try to hesitate less and let things take their course like you’ve said so thanks for the reply!

I dont think the island does fit into the ‘life context’, or at least, I cant seem to make it work yet. Yes, there are things you can take away and run with, but some things…. well there tends to be a little bit too much reality in the real world to make it work. I possibly have found the cure though: go back.
I’ll let you know at the end of July if it works. (If it doesnt, this could become a really expensive habit!)

Neek, great to hear you’re trying to bring vorovoro home. that is one of the big reasons this project was started in the first place – would love to be able to include your thoughts and efforts in our up-coming mini series, can you film your ideas (even on a phone) and email link to james@stringfilms.com?

great stuff

Hiya m8, its so cool to see that you have got the Vorovoro bug just like me, I think I have bored the hell out of my friends as all I can talk and think about is the Island. It affected you with only 4 days there, so you can appreciate how much it meant to me to have spent a month there. Hopefully I can get back there to work so i can live my ideal dream for longer. Hope your all still making sweet music, you were missed when u left around the fire pit at night. Take life at your own pace m8.
Jason

I agree with you Neek and as the others say, Vorovoro is in your heart and there will stay. I’ve felt the same although had some tidy things to keep me occupied upon arrival but one thing is for sure only one or two peeps even try to understand what is meant to me…otherwise they do have their snidey comments or snigger at camping. I just think it’s their loss and picture myself on the beach at sunset, hearing the lapping of the sea, staring at the horizon, listening out for Caroline’s morning song or Jimbo’s laugh and feel the magic and don’t feel stressed at all. Keep it real Neek.

Hi there – interesting to read comments that Vorovoro experiences don’t fit in the ‘real’ world! Maybe because I’m already from a pretty laid back Pacific Island nation, I find it easier to fit those experiences into my life :^{) I think your experiences on Vorovoro and in fact anything you learn in life can always be applied to your current situation.}

The key is to just take things as they come and not to rush it. Someone told me the other day “let’s say you have 10 things you really want to do in life, well you’ll just overwhelm yourself trying to do them all at once. Pick two only, work on those, finish them, then revisit the rest, pick two, and away you go.” This has been invaluable advice and has helped me heaps in my personal and professional life.

I agree with stingers – try analysing the concept of ‘Fiji time’. Fiji time is not just a Fiji concept – it’s the universal concept of accepting that things take their own time and that you can’t control everything. This doesn’t always fit with ideas of modern society about “me, me, me – I am important and I can do whatever I want.” This latter idea discounts the value of other people and the fact that we can’t live without each other.

The best thing I’ve taken back from Fiji is not to rush so much! I’ll be walking to work, worried about running late, it’s raining, and I just say to myself “Hammock Society, Hammock Society, Hammock Society” – like a mantra! It takes me back to countless moments on Vorovoro, watching the sunset and listening to beautiful sounds of happiness. I’m instantly relaxed, slow down, and take a nice deep breath.

Other things you can take back: HEAPS of eco things – throw out one thing a week from your household that’s harmful to the environment. Start walking, biking, using public transport, analysing the use of your car. Take time to visual the peace of the island and inject some sunshine into your day.

And if your experience on Vorovoro doesn’t fit into your life, then you might need to look at your life and see what’s missing! Hope this is helpful ;) PS Nick – were you guys at Smuggler’s Cove before you went to Vorovoro – I think we met you there as we were leaving!