Resort Hopping Weekend

Its been a few weeks since my last update. I've been busy and with only 2 1/2 weeks left in Fiji, I am trying to stay that way each and every day.

One big event was the wedding of my host sister Sala. It was a treat to be able to attend the wedding, and also in some sense be a guest of honor. The family treated me as one of their own, and had a custom printed bula shirt made to match everyone else in the family. It is my favorite bula shirt. I got to sit up alongside other family and friends at the front during the ceremony, and even got to help serve ice cream and cake to all of the guests. This wedding was quite special. It was held at Taunovo Bay resort along the coral coast of the main island. Taunovo Bay is a 5 star resort with absolute 5 star service. I was able to spend a night, though I slept in my own private movie theater. The family rented 3 villas along the ocean, each equipped with two swimming pools, a hot tub, 4 bedroom suites with an indoor and outdoor shower, jacuzzi, movie theater, gourmet kitchen, dining and living rooms, and your own private beach. It was incredible. 7 of the other students also attended the wedding, some excited to be there, while others seemed more interested in plans of the previous evening. The wedding was half in English and half in Fijian, and I will be given a DVD of the ceremony. Let me know if you want to watch it!

Prior to the wedding extravaganza, Allison, Melissa and I took a trip of our own (part research, part fun). We departed from Suva city on Wednesday afternoon heading straight to Nadi via coach bus (a 4 hour ride, only stopping at resorts along the way). We stayed with a family friend, who is a pastor and his wife. This was an excellent example of Fijian hospitality. They cleared the kids out of the bedrooms and moved us in, cooked us meals, and even gave us rides to and from the bus location. They refused any sort of money, though we did buy them a nice glass and pitcher set from the MH Homemaker Store (kind of like a combo between Target and Sears).

Being in Nadi again was interesting. We hadn't been there since February when we first arrived. I remember it being much dirtier and more of a mess, but now it actually appeared to be quite nice. Perhaps they have spent some time and money cleaning up from floods that happened two weeks prior to arrival. Maybe I was just used to how Fiji looks (kinda polluted and dirty in towns), so Nadi, being catered to tourists, seemed a bit nicer. Pushing aside the hassling of taxi drivers and vendors along the street, town was really nice.

On Thursday of last week, I was able to visit the Nadi International School for my research. It was a beautiful school, filled with amenities and resources that one would not see other places in Fiji. It caters to students from overseas, but also serves as a top-notch school for locals who are not afraid to pay. You can read my research paper if you want to know more. It will be about 30 pages, so get out your glasses.

We spent Friday night at a backpacker's resort along the coral coast called Mango Bay. We had a room to ourselves filled with about 10 beds, and only paid $30 for the night (about $15 US). This was a deal- its a fairly new place, included breakfast, and we definitely hit up happy hour on the beach, by the pool. I ate spaghetti for dinner, which always makes me happy!

This week, I am spending a lot of time in the International School in Suva interviewing children, teachers, and observing classes. I will visit four schools in the next 4 days: Ghandi Memorial Primary School, the Marist Brothers Catholic Primary School, Draiba Fijian School, and spend another day at the International School. I am getting worn out, but a few of us will be going to a place called Bounty Island for 4 days next week to relax. I'll be leaving my homestay 2 weeks from Saturday and spending some more time at a resort, saying goodbye to all of my good friends I have made in Fiji.

Last chance for a post card- let me know!