Tribewanted: Vorovoro

It’s Monday approx 1 o’clock and I thought I’d start my blog now, change it up a bit, speaking of changes I’ve changed my name to Marama Bambama, reason, why not, when else am I going to be able to randomly change my name for no reason, whether people actually call me Bambama or not is another matter.

OK so here goes, after saying goodbye to Kieran and Jacqui (CEO of my S team) us girls needed cheering up, so we decided to make cake! Didn’t exactly turn out to plan, at one point the mixture looked more like glue but the outcome didn’t looked perfect but tasted great and that’s all that matters!

I’ve done my rounds, tribe is happy. I’ve raked, cleared up and picked a sulu chamba for sevusevu which has been moved to today as we have a special guest, from London. The tribe and I are going to perform the meke so I must dash as we have our last class this after afternoon to then it’s time to show Tui Mali and Co. what we’re made of!

I’m back! Today’s sevusevu was really good. Doing the meke was wicked, some of us forgot moves but it didn’t matter, it was all about having fun and just enjoying the ourselves. For me this is the first sevusevu were I just enjoyed. It wasn’t my first time or my salusalu, it was or what it was, a welcoming celebration for the new tribe, and when your not wasting energy being nervous, it’s a very enjoyable day.

Tuesday
Today is the last day for many of the Tribe members most people were busy packing and enjoying their last hours on the island.

Talk about being put on the spot! We just had 20 unexpected guests just arrive from Mali. They were with a church group from Canada handing out food to the flood victims and decided to come to see what the fuss on Vorovoro is all about. Its my job to show them around, answer questions and basically let them know why we’re here. I have to say, I’m very proud of myself, I wasn’t nervous, kept them captivated, even managed crack a few smiles, they weren’t the easiest of people to work with, but I got there. I would have been happy with that tour if I were them, to the point, funny and informative, that’s enough of me blowing my own trumpet, but I’m managing to surprise myself more and more on this island. I’ve realised my fears are actually quite pathetic!!

Had a badminton tournament this afternoon. My partner was Mariead, we didn’t manage to get far in the competition but that didn’t matter because we won 1st prize for our outfits which were very unique and 100% ecofriendly.

In the afternoon it rained, luckily Tevita was in the mood to share his story with us. He was born of a prophecy. There were some pretty amazed people when he finished. If your brain is now wondering and you want to know more, then I suggest you get yourself to Vorovoro!

Wednesday
I got up this morning at 5am to watch the sunrise with Maried & Fi. I should have known when I decided to go with them two it wouldn’t just be a simple stroll up to the peak. They were not prepared, I at least had my $2 torch from labasa which isn’t very bright, but it was at something. It’s pitch black here at 5am in the morning and we all ended up getting completely lost for about 1hr, walking through bushes in the wrong direction and getting eaten alive by sand flies. Looking back it was a perfect way to end my time with them, it was never easy, they tested my patience daily, but they’ll be missed….slightly :P

11 in total left today leaving the island slightly quieter and a little less hectic, but leaving behind amazing memories. I’m lucky to have had such a great bunch of people to share my time with.

After clearing up after the children that left :) It was time get ready for the arrival of Tui Mali as we were having a ceremony to open the dam, Yep that’s right, after over 6mths of hard work, blood, sweat and grog the dam is finally finished. I know a lot of people have came and left and wondered if it would ever be finished, well it’s done. And it works. Thanks to everyone that has helped, carry sand bags, cement, wood and various other materials up that hill in this heat, WELL DONE!! The island will surely reap the rewards, cheers, nice one!

After the ceremony we had grog, we’ve had it now for 3 days straight and I’m fully accustomed to it.
Tonight we had the first fishing trip which is a new activity for the Tribe members, unfortunately we didn’t catch anything, but I had an amazing time just watching the stars.

Thursday
This morning I was woken up by bongos. Forgot to mention that Oliver arrived yesterday, after speaking with him I now realise why the bongos have been playing constantly for hours, he believes that as 11 people have left, he needs to make the same level of noise, not sure if that’s going to work but we’ll see. Either way I can see this week being eventful.

The tribe members and I spent all morning in the fun house with Pupu making various coconut jewellery. I went on the reef trip this afternoon, it’s been so long since I’ve been in the ocean. I’m here on this Island and I’m ashamed to say I’ve only been snorkelling a handful of times, it was great though, being out there, and relaxing saw a few reef sharks, no turtles or dolphins… maybe next time.

After returning from the reef trip I went for a walk in the village, I don’t have that long left, and its something I’ve never done before. I had a good chat to Pupu in his house before making my way down to the village where Tevita and Raejeli were planting. Hours went pass and I didn’t even realise and a fantastic afternoon. The evening was spent around the camp fire, seems strange the tribe being this small, we were all able to have one conversation, it makes a nice change.

Friday Friday!!!
Another name change this week, we now call Friday’s Dream Foundation Friday’s, which means I get to go to school!! Started the day earlier at 6am as I now do meditation with Oliver, (lets see how long this lasts!)

School trip was fantastic as ever. I took some stencils donated by Kieran and Michelle, thanks girls the kids loved it!! Next week the school is on ½ day so I don’t know if I’ll be able to say goodbye, which maybe a good thing, otherwise I may just be a blubbering mess, and we wouldn’t want that now would we.

Weekend
Today was Charlotte’s Isa lei , I really feel for people that leave on a Saturday, know matter how much we try we’re never as good as Team Fiji, but I do give us an A* for trying!!

Spent most of the day in town. We had 4 new arrivals in the afternoon, Gerogie, James, Adam and Adam, nice and easy.

After showing the new arrivals around I thought it was going to be a nice chilled evening, it was until I heard shouting, some thought it was people praying, others spotted Oliver on top of Sunset peak waving, so they waved back, in fact he was stuck, shouldn’t laugh, but this guy has actually made such an impact on my week. He’s hilarious!

Sunday is my time to chill, hasn’t actually happened yet, I’m always doing something, but next week I swear, I’m doing NOTHING!!

Can’t believe my time here is almost over. We have 9 people arriving tomorrow and a baby on Wednesday this week is going to be anything but relaxed.

That’s all for now

Marama Bambama

xx