We woke up this morning, and were told to meet in the outdoor dining area of our hostel. I new we were going to have a meeting, but I really had no idea what this was about! The past few days, we have just been going to campus and having lectures, so I was hoping for something a little more exciting. I got my wish! Today was a field study, designed for us to explore the city on our own. All 11 of us were given a name of a few stores or shopping areas in Suva, and were told to figure out what they were, how to get there, and also were given money to purchase something from one of the stores.
I left the hostel not really knowing what to expect. I thought, well, I like to see the big picture of things before diving into details, so I thought I would just walk around the city by myself for a while. After realizing that I had been walking for about 45 minutes, I thought I would finally stop into an eyeglass shop to see where I was and where I needed to go. Turns out I was just around the corner from the three stores I needed to visit: a "homemaker's" store (furniture, appliances, towels, etc.), a department store, and a bread shop. I made it there without trouble, and actually went into the homemaker's store and had a 20 minute conversation with one of the sales people. She was a woman who grew up on an island south of here out in a very rural village, moved to the city away from her family, and now is sending her oldest daughter to the University to be a teacher. Her husband is moving to Canada to work as a plumber (I thought this was strange), and she may move there as well. Fun. Then I went next door to the bread shop and bought a sausage roll and orange fanta, then went across the street to the department store I was supposed to visit. Many of these stores had very expensive items. For example, tennis shoes in the department store were more than $150 US, just for some simple Nike tennis shoes. Washing machines are at least $800 US, and that does not include a dryer (which is a luxury here).
I then continued my journey, because I was not meeting up with the rest of the group for another hour and a half. I walked down along the ocean for a while, but being white in Fiji is like yelling "Hey! I'm a tourist! Come take me to your shop!" So, within a moment of walking along the ocean I hear "Bula!" Uh oh. Its another one of those vendors who wants to sell me something. Luckily, Chelsea, another one of my classmates came along and came with me. These people are impossible to say no to, even if you tell them that you live here. I thought I would amuse him anyway and go to the shop. It was some little Fijian village shop in an arcade (kind of like an outdoor mall between larger shops). I went in for a few minutes and said vinaka (thank you) and left. Whatever, it is my adventure day.
This afternoon too is all about me. I am walking around town and checking out some other new places, I'll probably get a cold drink and just learn about some new shops. I've been waiting for this moment when I could feel comfortable in Fiji on my own, bumming around the city. As you can tell, I am still learning how to not look like a tourist, because I do live here. Its all good though- people are still very friendly.
This weekend is going to be sweet. We have Saturday off, but our teacher wants to take us to a waterfall in the Rainforest National Park. SOUNDS GOOD TO ME! There was also talk of going to Misquito Island (hopefully not as bad as it sounds).
Still no luck uploading photos. I'm getting closer each and every day, and soon, you will be able to see more in depth what Fiji really looks like. I hope all is well with you! If you would like a postcard, just email me your address!
well0328@umn.edu
Vinaka!
Austin
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