We finally arrived in Auckland last night but we'll never forget our amazing last week in Nananu. We started off the week by finishing our part of the road. Hopefully, another group will be able to come next semester and complete it. Ideally, the road should go through the entire village. We celebrated that night with one of MANY dance parties with the villagers. The next day we rode horseback to an awesome natural waterslide/waterfall outside of the village. We can all agree that it was one of the best days we had in Fiji. We spent about five hours trying crazy jumps and combinations off the slide and rocks. We were all amazed by how daring the Fijians were! It was great to see them let loose and just enjoy themselves. They have a FANZtastic work ethic and they certainly deserved a day of sun and play. We may have a had a little too much fun though. When we returned to the village we were exhausted and in pain from riding horseback. On Wednesday morning, we visited the Fiji Water Plant. The tour was pretty short but it definitely showed the positive impact it has on Vatukaloko, an area made up of the five surrounding villages, including Nananu. Fiji Water pays for these villages' electricity and water bills as well as employing 480 Fijians at a time. Many of our maqus and uncles even worked at the plant making $5 per hour, one the highest paying jobs in the country. We also managed to go to Tavua, the nearest town, to buy supplies for the suprise we had been planning for the villagers. With some cloth and paint, we were able to make two banners for them to hang up in their soon-to-be built community hall. We didn't have any paintburshes so it was definitely interesting fingerpainting the entire thing. Our final day in the village was Family Day. Some of us went back to the first waterfall we visited and some of us just spent the day lounging by the river with our families. That night we had one last dance party. We were all pretty tired but when the Fjiians want to dance, they will make you dance. Some of us retired early while others stayed up until 4:30 AM dancing and drinking kava. It was a great way to spend our last night in such a beautiful country. Our final morning was a bittersweet one. While we couldn't wait to move on to the next part of our trip, we didn't want to say goodbye to our new families either. There was a little more kava, a little more dancing and lots of tears. While we thought we would never see them again, four of our closest Fijian friends had a little trick up their sleeve by surprising us at the Nadi Airport. We were all really excited and touched by their affection for us. We'll never forget the love the whole village had for us!
P.S. - This is Tyler and Kay-Lin. The last three posts were made by Elizabeth and Reid. We'll be rotating various duties throughout the trip. Keep checkung back for more on our adventures!!
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Update on pictures
We thought we'd post a few pictures that we have so far. We have a ton of photos already and these are just a few, we'll probably post more later!
Group photo from when they surprised us at the airport. For those of you who don't know who everyone in the group is (probably most of you) starting in the top left row its: Kali, Blake, Shelby, Elizabeth, Chelsea, Kay-Lin, Bill, Mac, Max, Sean. The bottom row starting from the left: Tyler, Dawn, Marissa, Drew, Isei, Reid.
A semi group photo on the CB (the cement block in Nananu, it became very significant to us over the two weeks). Its Reid, Chelsea, Shelby, Sean, Kay-Lin, Mac, Elizabeth, Marissa, Tyler.
Our last dinner in the village.
In Tavua, going from the left again; Blake, Shelby, Tyler, Chelsea, Elizabeth, Marissa, Reid, Drew is in the back and Kay-Lin and Sean are in the front.
All of us after planting cassava.
Mac smoothing the cement.
Shelby working on the road.
Group photo from when they surprised us at the airport. For those of you who don't know who everyone in the group is (probably most of you) starting in the top left row its: Kali, Blake, Shelby, Elizabeth, Chelsea, Kay-Lin, Bill, Mac, Max, Sean. The bottom row starting from the left: Tyler, Dawn, Marissa, Drew, Isei, Reid.
A semi group photo on the CB (the cement block in Nananu, it became very significant to us over the two weeks). Its Reid, Chelsea, Shelby, Sean, Kay-Lin, Mac, Elizabeth, Marissa, Tyler.
Our last dinner in the village.
In Tavua, going from the left again; Blake, Shelby, Tyler, Chelsea, Elizabeth, Marissa, Reid, Drew is in the back and Kay-Lin and Sean are in the front.
All of us after planting cassava.
Mac smoothing the cement.
Shelby working on the road.
Friday, February 20, 2009
Nananu Village
We have been in the village for a week now, today (saturday) we were given the nice surprise of going into town. Naturally we all ran for the nearest computer...
The Village is tucked between green mountains scattered with horses and cows.
There are two students to a house where we live with our mangoo (dad) and nao (mom), everyone has many siblings but I don't know the word for that. Everyone is so happy to have us, so accomodating, opening their homes to us, cooking for us, washing our clothes we are very grateful to our loving hosts.
We eat all of our meals together as a group in a community house where we enjoy delish meals while sitting on the floor. The meals are always yummy. My personal favorite being breakfast, who wouldn't love cake for breakfast??
We have been working on building a road to go throughout the village. The men of the village are such strong workers, the road is really coming along nicely (us carpe diem students are pretty good workers as well).
Two days ago we went for a hike up the mountains, it was more difficult for some of us. Some of the group decided to hike to the top while others went to the source of water for the village, a beautiful and huge waterfall. Jumping into the cold water made the whole, hot hike worth it. Then on our way down it started to rain, pour actually. Everyone was soaked but we just had so much fun making our way back to the village. It was so beautiful with wild horses all around. We had to swim cross several rivers on our way back, without the help of the Fijian men, there for sure would be less of us here today. That day will definitely stick out as a favorite of the trip for some of us.
Everything is going well, the group is getting along, enjoying the sun and the love of the Nananu people...
we will post some awesome pictures when we can!!
Mode! (mo-day, bye in Fijian)
The Village is tucked between green mountains scattered with horses and cows.
There are two students to a house where we live with our mangoo (dad) and nao (mom), everyone has many siblings but I don't know the word for that. Everyone is so happy to have us, so accomodating, opening their homes to us, cooking for us, washing our clothes we are very grateful to our loving hosts.
We eat all of our meals together as a group in a community house where we enjoy delish meals while sitting on the floor. The meals are always yummy. My personal favorite being breakfast, who wouldn't love cake for breakfast??
We have been working on building a road to go throughout the village. The men of the village are such strong workers, the road is really coming along nicely (us carpe diem students are pretty good workers as well).
Two days ago we went for a hike up the mountains, it was more difficult for some of us. Some of the group decided to hike to the top while others went to the source of water for the village, a beautiful and huge waterfall. Jumping into the cold water made the whole, hot hike worth it. Then on our way down it started to rain, pour actually. Everyone was soaked but we just had so much fun making our way back to the village. It was so beautiful with wild horses all around. We had to swim cross several rivers on our way back, without the help of the Fijian men, there for sure would be less of us here today. That day will definitely stick out as a favorite of the trip for some of us.
Everything is going well, the group is getting along, enjoying the sun and the love of the Nananu people...
we will post some awesome pictures when we can!!
Mode! (mo-day, bye in Fijian)
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Fiji Day Uno
BULA! BULA! BULA!
We arrived at the Nadi airport at 5:30 am yesterday, it was very humid. We crammed into a tiny bus that took us to the Nadi Downtown backpackers Inn. The group is getting to know each other very well, no one hates each other (yet). The leaders took a nap for 5 hours while the students went wild on the town (actually we just stayed in our rooms and talked). The city of Nadi is busy and the people are all very friendly. We went to an open air market and bought ourselves local produce to make a communal lunch. The star fruit was fanztastic, we got 8 for 1 Fijian dollar- what a deal. We learned a little bit about bargaining. After our lunch, a certain somebody clogged the toilet...still doesn't work. But it was a great ice breaker!
We went out to dinner at a pizza place, which was WAY better than American pizza surprisingly. So far everything is great, everyone is having a good time - although it is very hot and humid.
BULA! that's all for now!
We arrived at the Nadi airport at 5:30 am yesterday, it was very humid. We crammed into a tiny bus that took us to the Nadi Downtown backpackers Inn. The group is getting to know each other very well, no one hates each other (yet). The leaders took a nap for 5 hours while the students went wild on the town (actually we just stayed in our rooms and talked). The city of Nadi is busy and the people are all very friendly. We went to an open air market and bought ourselves local produce to make a communal lunch. The star fruit was fanztastic, we got 8 for 1 Fijian dollar- what a deal. We learned a little bit about bargaining. After our lunch, a certain somebody clogged the toilet...still doesn't work. But it was a great ice breaker!
We went out to dinner at a pizza place, which was WAY better than American pizza surprisingly. So far everything is great, everyone is having a good time - although it is very hot and humid.
BULA! that's all for now!
The FANZ eagle has landed! Bula (welcome) to Fiji!
The group arrived in one piece yesterday, although quite jet lagged I'm sure. They will be learning the ins and outs of the semester and getting to know each other during their orientation in Nadi.
Rumor has it that all of the students were sent out to email their families of their safe arrival. So, if you haven't received word, well, this is why our blog exist. So, keep checking back!
Let the adventure begin...
Carpe Diem HQ
The group arrived in one piece yesterday, although quite jet lagged I'm sure. They will be learning the ins and outs of the semester and getting to know each other during their orientation in Nadi.
Rumor has it that all of the students were sent out to email their families of their safe arrival. So, if you haven't received word, well, this is why our blog exist. So, keep checking back!
Let the adventure begin...
Carpe Diem HQ
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
They're leavin' on a jet plane...
It's official! All 12 FANZers are together in LAX awaiting their outbound flight. After a few hours of get-to-know you games and scavenger hunts, they will be enroute to Nadi, Fiji. That crazy phenomenon known as the international date line means that they will actually land on the 12th of February. So, everybody sit back, check back (to the blog that is) and let's enjoy the ride!
The FANZ group will take over the blog entries from here so you can share in their adventure. Give them a good 36 hours though. It takes a while to get your legs beneath you after all the twilight travel!
Until then, Bula Vinaka from Carpe Headquarters and the South Pacific!
-Amy Berg
Program Director
The FANZ group will take over the blog entries from here so you can share in their adventure. Give them a good 36 hours though. It takes a while to get your legs beneath you after all the twilight travel!
Until then, Bula Vinaka from Carpe Headquarters and the South Pacific!
-Amy Berg
Program Director
Friday, February 6, 2009
Hellos
Well Hi Thar:)
It's your future co-leaders, Drew and Dawn, just checking in with you, sending out warm welcomes. We have just spent the day together running around Portland doing last minute errands, talking Heaps about our upcoming adventure and how truly excited we are to meet all of you very very soon. We've been going over our itinerary, finalizing a few things as well. Anyhow.
So this is the first of many Blogs to come, which you guys will eventually be taking over; it is a way to share with friends, family, and loved ones what we are all up to. You may notice that there are previous entries from the last group who were on this trip...we want to keep these old Blogs as an ongoing way for everyone to access past memories and to see what future groups are up to!
We are sooooo very excited to meet you guys, and to have the opportunity to share such amazing and magical moments with you all.
Yippee Kye Aye,
Drew and Dawn
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