Sarah goes to FIJI: TAKI.

Yesterday was a blur. In the morning, we had DELICIOUS french toast- seriously so good. Tiko is a cooking GOD. I had my weekly meeting with one of my Country Directors and we talked about goals and things. I'm really excited for some upcoming stuff I'm going to be helping with! One includes and potential trip to another part of the island (Tavua I think) to work with an organization mostly on finance, but last time they were there, Brittany taught a short kickboxing class and the ladies there LOVED it. So we may do something similar again. I think it will be so cool to see another part of the island and meet new people from different villages!

After my meeting, Meghan and I set out for the Ministry of education because we still hadn't heard back from any of the schools. And it just happened to be Meghan's birthday! So we got to the Ministry and Vili was awesome and sat us down around his desk and started calling all of the Principal's himself to get their answers as to when we could come. He would hand the phone to Meghan and she would talk and set up a day and time for us to visit. While she was on the phone, Vili would turn to me and ask me questions about my stay in Fiji. Fijians talk... very very quietly and quickly (mumbling if you will), throw on an accent and I can hardly ever understand what people are saying. So apart from say "what?" or "i'm sorry?" 15 times, I always hear the wrong thing anyways. So when I thought Vili was asking me about how I like the weather here, he was actually asking me if I had had the McDonald's here in Suva (yes this was real and I am not making it up). McDonalds vs. weather. He was so confused when I said "It's just like home only a little more humid". Then he started talking about how he didn't understand why a piece of bread cut in half with just beef or chicken in between is considered good food. Then I was confused. We laughed about it later (Meghan more than anyone after her phone call). So to get her back, I told her "I'm going to embarrass you" then turned to Vili and said "Did you know that today is Meghan's birthday?!" HAH. So Vili wished Meghan a happy 17th birthday (she turned 26) and he told us his birthday was August 4th and he would be turning 18 (so not true. He has 6 kids and I'm pretty sure he's around 50). Either way, it was super funny.

So we got lots of appointments set up for schools for next week and we headed home for lunch. Then a bunch of us went to the Handycraft Market in town. This place was AWESOME. So many amazing things everywhere. The specialty at this place is Tapa things (placemats, pursers, etc.) and wood-carved things (clocks, clubs, mini boats, figurines, etc.). I needed about 12 more hours and about 1200 more dollars. I just want to buy it all and take it home! But I did get to have a few bartering experiences! They are super good sales people and say things like "oh for you everything half price! Buy one get one for free for my American friend!" It's quite funny (not to mention flattering and tempting). I will be making more trips there for sure!

Next we headed to the grocery store (more yogurt and Tymo's! Fijian tim-tam type cookies). And then we went to the flea market. It was raining and super cloudy outside so it was really hard to see everything. But this place was loaded with sulus (the skirt wraps AKA lava lavas). I will be getting one before coming home, but I didn't get one this time.

Then we all went to dinner as a whole team for Meghan's birthday.We went to a restaurant called Nando's. Famous for their peri-peri chicken (chicken basted and fire-grilled in a chili sauce). I'm a wuss, so I went with the lemon-herb baste, but others tried just the mild and their mouths were on fire! It was entertaining. Then we went to USP (University of South Pacific) for a dance performance show by a bunch of the clubs and groups there. It was a Men only dance show. HOLY SMOKES. IT WAS FREAKING AMAZING. They had traditional Fijian dances (Reke, war dances, etc. these were all my favorite), a rapping group, a Stomp type group that played metal cans and gas tanks (they were so good and so fun!), a slower group that did the more formal styles and even the one number up in the air on those rope sheet things (crazy), and it was just fantastic. It was so great. Not to mention, so many attractive Fijian dancers (OH MY MERCY).

After the show, we went to Vili's house for a Kava ceremony for Meghan's birthday. Kava is a kind of drink that is used here for celebrations. So for the ceremony, typically the father is the Big Chief, but since it was Meghan's birthday, she was the Big Chief. and I got to be the Small Chief (usually the eldest son, or daughter if eldest son isn't there or there isn't a son). The Small Chief is basically the Big Chief's right hand. They give all the commands, decide when we all drink, decide how much is given per cup (the cup is a carved out coconut half), and when the Grog (Kava mixture) is ready, or needs to be spun (mixed). It was a big deal and a lot of remembering! Whenever it was time to drink, I had to say "Taki!" and then the Engineer (the Grog mixer/server) would fill the cup to the level the Small Chief said- either High tide (almost full cup), Low tide or half (half cup), or Smack or Football (FULL). The first cup is passed to the Big chief (your arm must be straight and one person is the designated passer). You must clap (cupped hands) before accepting the cup. Then you say BULA and drink (trying to do so in one mouthful). Then everyone claps 3 times after it is drunk, and after you have drunk and passed the cup back, you have to clap 3 times. The Small Chief is served next (I drank all of mine in 1 gulp!). Oh and by the way.... KAVA IS DISGUSTING. Seriously so nasty. It makes your mouth and tongue kinda tingly and if there isn't enough water in the mixture, Vili said it's just like drinking rum. But don't worry! It's not against the Word of Wisdom ;). Although I wish it was. that stuff was seriously so gross. Anyways, the cup is passed until everyone has had a drink. Then you talk some more until the Small Chief (usually dictated by the Big Chief) decides it's time to drink again and says TAKI! It was a very funny process, but we had all had 4 cups of the stuff before we finished the whole bowl! And then.... to our utmost HORROR. THEY MADE MORE. NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. We all had this super huge "unhhhhhhhhhhhh" look on our faces as they started making it and telling us how to make and mix it. We didn't want to be rude.... SO WE HAD TO KEEP DRINKING IT AND DO MORE ROUNDS. UGHHHHHHH. My stomach hurt so bad and it tasted so nasty and we were all starting to get tired from it! Not to mention I had to pee about 10 times that night. But it was so fun and so nice of them to have us over and teach us how to do everything the traditional way. And they had the cutest kids ever. Finally. We finished the last round (most of us taking only a teaspoon size serving- very low tide). With many Vinakas and thanks to Vili and his family, we left, feeling very full and even more full bladders.

Then we caught a taxi and went to a bar called O'Reiley's to finish the night by clubbing and dancing for Meghan's birthday. It was packed, but it was the most recommended place we had heard (and the safest). We all danced and busted our American moves and acted crazy. It was so fun, but so hot and too crowded for my liking. We had a great time and it was a must have experience. Natalie and I stayed for about 45 minutes and then we caught a taxi home (it's not too far from our place, but it was pretty late and we decided it was safer). Showered and then off to bed!

WHAT A DAY. So many great things. I can't believe I'm getting to experience all this! Miss you all!

Moce and much love,
Sarah (Sera is the Fijian spelling!)

PS of COURSE there are pictures!

-Poasa carving out a coconut

-Traditional Fijian Dance (one of my Favorites!). Sorry the video is such poor quality- it was taken on my phone.

-Beautiful dance! So cool!!!

(Photo cred- Audrey Dickerson)

-With a traditional down below. This was amazing!

(Photo cred Audrey Dickerson)

-'Heavy Metal Crew' These guys were hysterical and so good.

(Video cred Audrey Dickerson)

-Lucy got pulled up to dance in the finale!

(Photo cred Audrey Dickerson)

-Best dancer in the show. And super attractive. Sadly, I'm 96% sure that he is most definitely probably maybe gay. Dangit.