It’s exactly one week since we got back from Lutu Village. The end of our trip was as amazing as the beginning! The night after I wrote my entry on the veranda was spent festively drinking kava and dancing with the Lutu community. We had the pleasure of seeing performances from the Kiribati, Fijian, Vanuatuan and Polynesian students! We international students were certainly the highlight of the night – with our incredibly cultural performance of the macarana LOL. It was all in good fun and everyone was humoured by our efforts, so it went as well as any macarana would.
On our final day in Lutu, Apolosi walked Ang and I over to the community church. It was built in the ‘60s on a massive hill, just above Apolosi and Taina’s home. I was in awe at how much effort it must have taken for Apolosi and his friends/family in Lutu to construct their beloved church in that location. Looking out at beautiful Lutu from the church steps with Apolosi was definitely one of the highlights of my trip.
After a farewell lunch (where the community sacrificed a cow in honour of our visit) and dance, we shared goodbye hugs and tears – yes, leaving Lutu meant that some of us (who shall not be named) were pretty emotional. This is because (and I am by no means exaggerating when I say this) the people we met at Lutu (and in particular Ang and I’s host family) were absolutely INCREDIBLE people. I’m lucky enough to have experienced amazing hospitality and kindness within the Afghan community, and know what it’s like to feel at ease in the home of a stranger. But the community at Lutu really stood out as the most amazing, hospitable and kind people I’ve ever been fortunate to meet. We’ll really miss being there and seeing Apolosi and Taina. They both honoured Ang and I by calling us their daughters, and Apolosi was in legit tears as he hugged us goodbye. We’re hoping to see them once again before we leave Fiji!
This last week has gone well – we were all pretty busy with assignments and such. I’ve really been itching to get out of Suva in search of one of the many amazing beaches Fiji has to offer, so I’m hoping for a trip away either this weekend or next.
That hall block party I mentioned a couple of entries ago is actually tonight. The residential assistants seem to have been heavily planning for this event, so I’m betting it will be a fun night!
Everything else is going well here, I’m happy and grateful to be here in the South Pacific. I wish some of my friends and family members could come out here and share some of these wonderful experiences with me, but I’m also glad to be away from “real life” and to be exploring things on my own. I hope everyone is well and happy!
With love from Fiji,
G.
Hi Ghazal! Beautiful entries and photos, you look gorgeous! "She looks like a model" mom says. We're waiting for dinner to be ready because it's persian new year, we're having sabzi chalaouh and wish you were hear to eat with us. Miss you tons, much love. <3
ReplyDelete