Tribewanted: Vorovoro

Cheered on england, Fiji and the US at the Rugby Sevens Tourney here in San diego this weekend. Fiji destroyed the West Indies 66-7; It was like adults playing children. England won their first day pool, but ultimately the finals came down to a Sudden death overtime between Fiji and Argentina, which Fiji won.
I wore my Sulu all around San Diego, as did an Irish friend of mine and my girlfriend. Walking home from the Rugby stadium, I noticed a couple ahead speaking Fijian. The man looked vaguely familiar, so I walked closer and said “Bula Sia.” Turns out it was a Man (and his wife) from Mali named Joe, who I could have sworn I’d seen before. His wife about fainted with surprise since I doubt she expected a kaipalaqi in San Diego to know the Mali dialect greeting. Joe smiled and said Bula Sia. I asked him where he was from, he said “a small island near Vanua levu” – I said wow cool I was on Mali and Vorovoro for some time last year. He excitedly replied “Thats where I’m from, Mali!” He noticed my Labasa sulu and my girlfriend’s (wearing mine) Vorovoro sulu from Api and said “Were you a Mali day in April?” Turns out I looked vaguely familiar to him too, and after talking a bit we realized we drank Yaqona together in Lingu Levu in April. Pretty awesome. After seven months of seeing nothing but rude Americans, it was refreshing to see two friendly Fijians, hear their beautiful language, and feel the genuine, warm, “Aloha” spirit they possess. I can’t wait to go back in May.