School Started

School started!  The kids are attending a small, multicultural school.  Most of the kids are Fijian or Indian.  It is K-8 and there are 60 kids total.  One class for each grade.  The classrooms are sparse, kids bring their own pencil bag and paper.  No manipulatives or learning toys.  Just a teacher.  One worksheet a day.  Uniforms are required in all schools, I love that. This picture was taken on "sports" day, which is a t=shirt and shorts.  I wish all schools would have uniforms.  Jonah and Alina are proud, it feel like a team - it offers a nice sense of belonging.  Here is Alina in her class.  

Bus home

We waited an hour and a half for the scheduled bus to take us home after a long day of exploration.  The 4:35 bus never came, so we waited for the 6:00.  There was very little seating so the 3 of us shared 1 1/2 seats.  Both the kids were exhausted and collapsed into deep sleep - Alina on my lap and Jonah snuggled to my side.  We are often affectionate and snuggle and hug, but there was something sweet and reminiscent about them falling asleep on me. They woke up for the walk home from the bus stop fresh and happy and chatty chatty chatty. 

eco park continued

If you double click on the sign it will blow up larger.  Cracked me up.  

This is me with a baby boa constrictor around my neck.  Squeezing instinct fully intact.  I got a little nervous.

Kula Eco Park

We took a day trip to another part of the island.  We were waiting for the bus and a mini-van stopped and offered to drive us.  You can tell if it's an authorized ride by the license plate.  It was 20 minutes for the bus and he offered $10fijian instead of $7 so we said yes.  It was an hour and half drive and we were all sick to our stomachs when we arrived.  UGH.  So, we detoured to the nearest resort - Outrigger - sat still, got fresh air and went for a swim.  The resorts are not welcoming to people who use their facilities and are not guests, but this was an emergency and we were "deciding" whether or not to stay.  Truthfully.  But I much prefer smaller campier places and once we recharged, I decided to move on.  Alina was the most bummed cause there was a poolside hairbraiding station that did look awfully fun.  It was a short walk Kula Eco Park.  The kids griped the entire way and I almost gave up.  But we went and it was amazing.  We got there right two hours before closing time and the staff was beginning their closing festivities which meant FEEDING THE ANIMALS!  We got to feed the turtles, and all the animals were out in full form eager to get meals.  It's a lovely walk through maintained natural habitat, exhibits and cages. Lots of birds and iguana's.  Peacocks in the wild...

Trip to the big city - Suva

Suva is the capital city here.  In the 80's it was called the Paris of the Tropics.  A friend told us it was amazing then - Colonial, clean, dashing... We took the bus in.  It's a run down 3rd world city now.  Busy with people, noisy, hard to walk on the sidewalks cause it's so dense. The road is an even bigger hazard.  Fast cars, pedestrians beware, diesel busses blow clouds of dark smoke. However I had no fear about the people.  Never felt unsafe.  Which is a general sentiment here for me in the rural villages, in town, in the city.  The people are all friendly and welcoming and eager to help.  Aggie is a woman who the owners of the house we are living in refer to as the "House Girl".  Labor here is not much money. A full day of work for her is $25.  The hotels pay their staff $2-3 an hour.  Aggie cleans once a week.  She lives in Suva, and met us at the bus stop.  We took an entire afternoon to explore the city and provision ourselves for school and with needed items for life.  

Lunch at Rikki's friends who are building their family compound.

Jonah and Alina snacking.  I know it's not that interesting, but Mike asked to see some shots of the kids so I am trying to get them up.

Jonah frolicking

Jonah' growth on this trip has been amazing to witness.  He is included with the "men" and is thriving in the belonging and responsibility in this association.  He is eager to explore his independence and strength.   He goes on long bike rides with the guys, he wears a heavy backpack home loaded with groceries from the store.  He has taken initiative and been creative with a cloth animal mural project and seems eager to take on the responsibilities of the house and taking care of Alina.  

Alina and Mom

Digital camera's are so great.  Alina has taken to holding the camera away from her and taking pictures of herself in all kinds of settings.  

Jonah took a shot of me and Alina from the lookout deck.

lunch at a friends

The family whose house we are renting invited us to lunch.  They are four siblings, ages between 27 & 37.  In 2004 they bought a beautiful parcel of beachfront property and each of them has built their own house.  The family compound is amazing.  One of the brothers is a Pastor and he has 4 acres set aside and plans to build a community center.  They have their own cows for milk.  Each of the four of them have two young children, so they are all raising their kids together.  

I am still figuring out how to do this blog and pictures from other events are showing up.  This was a mountain bike ride we all took.  It was sunny and hot, we stopped at a bridge, jumped off and swam in the river.  

house pictures

Games are our big entertainment. Here we are in our little backhouse playing war.  And on the big house porch.  Victor introduced the kids to Monopoly and taught them aggressive strategy I had never even learned.  Like, I'll sell you my Railroad, but if I ever land on any of your railroads, I don't owe you anything.  Have you ever played like that?  Wow, the kids were wheelin and dealin.  

Basic details and our house

We are on the island of Viti Levu, living in Pacific Harbour which is an ex-pat community.  "Town" is about a mile away where I walk to get groceries and basic necessities.  Suva, the capital, is about an hour drive.  This is a picture of the Main house and the open field next to us.  We live in an annex apartment. The main house has 3 bedrooms, kitchen, TV, porch area where I hold homeschool for the kids.  There is an outdoor area with laundry and a storage room for our bikes and snorkel gear.  

travelled to the next town

The scenery is stunning.  The clouds make for beautiful skies, there are frequent rains and the abundance of plant life makes the air feel so good to breathe.  What is surprising is that all the cars are diesel, trash is strewn without regard, there is lots of plastic and not much recycling.  The people here are only now learning the value of their resources and how to care for their land.  Rikki works to this end on educating people about the Coral Reefs and working on a large international plan for the entire Pacific Ocean.  

This is a little store that we passed on the way to lunch at a friends house.  

the Hospital vist

I didn't realize what an idealic bubble we were in at the hostel.  Rikki and Victor, friends, came to pick up me and the kids and move us into our house.  It was a rude awakening.  There was a lot of tension for me adjusting to this new life.  My house had rats and cockroaches.  I didn't have a car to get supplies or food.  A walk to the local market yielded some staples of fruit, cereal, bread, peanut butter but not much to sustain us.  No internet or phone left me feeling scared, alone, unsafe and unable to be resourceful.  On top of that Jonah got sick, had 102 mosquito bites, a variety of cuts.  I wondered if an amassed amount of bites could become toxic. One night at 10:00pm, he started to develop an allergic reaction to something.  Rashes on his ankles, back of his knees, spread to welts on his torso and back, and a high spiking fever.  Victor, friend staying with Rikki in the main house, recognized the symptoms, we went straight to the hospital.  YIKES!  I felt like Jonah's health was in more danger.  It was dirty and drippy.  I was swatting away moths and mosquitos.  The "doctor" took his temperature, wasn't interested in seeing his body or symptoms, left for a bit, then came back with a ziploc baggy of antibiotics.  Which Victor quickly pointed out wasn't the right medication for what Jonah was suffering.  It was a long intense night, and when Jonah's symptoms finally subsided enough that he could sleep, I fell into a sobbing mess.  I had never realized how safe it is in America and how many services are available to us.  Now I have researched the closest "good" doctor.  The nearest clean, safe hospital is an hour away, but I know where to go now if there is a problem.  Another learning experience. Abundant on this trip. 

Waterfall Trek

So amazing.  We ventured out on a "jungle waterfall trek".  One minute in, Alina asked for a piggy back.  I really wanted to do the hike and was willing to carry her the entirety if need be.  The mud got thick, she asked to be put down and she became 'Queen of the Mud Jungle'.  Off my back on a 4 hour hike with river crossings, slick rock traverse, 12" deep mud puddles... both the kids had an excited attitude and eagerly approached all the physical challenges. (two oreo's and an apple at turn around time) There was a campfire along the way.  Some village men were hunting wild boar. They had filled up a 4' hollow bamboo pole with fresh shrimp from the river.  Put a plug on top and bottom.  Added water and spices and cooked it over the fire.  YUM!

Horses!

There is a little village nearby. Walk the beach at low tide, turn right and go around the huge rocky bend. Eddie lives there in a concrete house with a corrugated tin roof. He has 5 kids, a pineapple farm, a friendly disposition and 3 horses.  He took us for a ride today. Eddie invited us to come by tomorrow.  We can wrangler the horses from the field and saddle them ourselves for a ride.

lounging

Hanging out in the hostel living room.

It's been raining all day. Jonah came down with a fever and 22 mosquito bites.  He's not too comfortable but his spirit doesn't seem dampened.

Landed Safely

Landed safely.  Warm and sunny.  Lots of rain too.

The Beachouse is exactly what I was hoping for.  Casual, comfortable, friendly with international backpacker easiness.  There are fridges and an open air kitchen that we all share.  Meals are festive with wine and shared food.  The people here are friendly, warm and physically affectionate.  One of the staff made Jonah a bamboo spear with a carved coconut arrowhead attached with twine. .  Alina has been getting piggy backs and hugs all day.  We've gone swimming in the warm shallow ocean, no waves cause of the coral reef.  I told Alina that I sent a letter before we arrived and asked that they remove all the fish from the ocean. So far, she is amazed, swimming happily.  She knows the fish will be released soon. She commented that she can share the ocean now. Thanks.

Passports

The kids sign their own passports and away we go.

Goodbye dad

A teary goodbye with dad starts us on our travel day.

Fly to LA, 4 hour layover, 11 hour flight, 2 hour wait for the bus, 3 hour bus ride to arrive at the Beachouse Backpacker Hostel.

Travel went smoothly. The kids slept for 8 1/2 hours of the flight. We were in the top section of a 747.  Jonah took pictures of every detail.  

We love you dad.  Now starts your adventure too.

Packing

The day before departure.  I have everything I want to bring layed out on the floor.  I have two bags, two bike boxes and two moving boxes. Now, I need to figure what will fit in the space allowed.  Triage happens here.  What's important?  Mosquito netting, snorkel gear, sunscreen, seeds for planting our garden.  But what about Alina's favorite pasta? How many books?  Art supplies? Curious to see what I decide.