Tribewanted: Vorovoro

I woke up this morning about 5 AM to a steady rain, I know we need it, but the afternoon showers were just fine! We were lucky that the rains let up to let us come in to town. Today it is staying cloudy but no more downpours.

We have had a few new arrivals, and the departure of one of those really special people who just become one with the island and all the Fijians, not to mention the rest of us. Lottie just climbed into the cab, and the tears flowed. PupuEpeli had tea in town with Lottie, he and some of the guys,came to bid her goodbye, even on their day off. They sang a special goodbye Isa Lei for her on Thursday night, since they knew that they would not have the opportunity to bid her goodbye from the Vorovoro beach today. Everyone here had become good friends with her. Lottie, although only 18, was able to embrace her experience here as deeply and fully as is humanly possible, she conducted herself well beyond her 18 years, I thought that she had finished University and was doing a gap year; Vorovoro often brings out the very best in people, and hidden talents they never knew that they had. When I arrived on the island, she was great help to me and knew all of the meke dances and took me through them. She kept the gran bure picked up and was always looking for work to be done in her 5 weeks here, which originally were to be 2. She worked directly from Pupu, and learned a great deal about what it means to be Fijian from our “grandfather” figure here on Vorovoro. I watched her blossom in this environment which she came to love so. We all wish her well on her travels in NZ. She has left her mark on Vorovoro, and Vorovoro now holds has a very special place in Lottie’s heart and soul. Some people come and have a good time, some come and learn a lot, and some, like Lottie, have a real “revelation” which will probably change the course of their life. We all ask, “how can we explain to our friends and family what the experience is here? No one really understands.” It seems that the only real way to find out what makes people love the Vorovoro experience so much is to come and do it yourself, it leaves most of us without words.

Update:The powerhouse is coming along and should be finished by Tuesday. the grounds are looking better all the time.
After our huge success preforming at the All Saints School and participating in the presentation of the Prefect Badges, it was decided to invite the teachers to join the Tribewanted Halfway Mark Celebration on March 1, so we have some preparations to think of this week, there are about 40 invited.

I have a blog to finish and put up that I wrote early this morning, there may not be time today to do that and get new pictures to Adam, so it might be Wednesday before I can get a proper blog off.
I know that there is a Chief’s Role Forum going on, I will be more in a position to comment once I have finished the month. I do hope to help Tevita get his comments online this week. His description of the Chief Role is important to understanding our interaction with the local tribe and the importance given to this position. I do think that many things need to be taken into consideration for future choosing of the chief, and if our two “tribes” are to work well together, the position has to be taken seriously and candidates should be aware that the position is an important one.

Thanks everyone for your comments, I do read them even if I can’t get back to you, I am afraid that trying to type on a Blackberry from the island is a bit beyond me… and I have building, painting and planting to do!

Bula sia,
Marama (chief) Christyna