The Has Beens - Jay

Two times now I have been able to play soccer with "the Has Beens". These are a group of guys in Suva that get together 1-2 times per week to play in a pick-up futsol game at a local park. The play is descent. A lot of mostly fit and quality players come out. It is smart and touch soccer that makes an exciting and quick paced game. 

Most of the players are 35 and older, are Australian or from New Zealand. There are two other Americans that play, along side a number of Fijian players. At least half of the over all group, I'd gather, played either at a level of college or higher... Or high club ball.

Apparently one of the Fijian players that came out last time used to play on the Fijian national team (when he was younger).  And there are one or two that are out there that really have no place being there... But that's fine too.

The play is fairly physical and competitive, although, they did accommodate the Kreshel boys out here for a few minutes during the last session. Both Creighton and Easton got some touches on the ball during the game. It's a little scary because the players don't really hold back much on the play.  But the boys did fine. 

There are a couple of  young Fijian players (25-30)  that are solid. Super fast, very physical, and quite vocal. What I noticed is that they don't pass much and when they do, they seem to look for other Fijian players. Comfort I'd gather.

For the rest of the group... They are mostly expats from either the embassy of their respective countries, employees at an non-governmental agency (NGO), or the spouse of an employee of one of the above. 

For some, the experience as purely an opportunity to get some exercise, while others leverage it as a phenomenal networking tool. A very cross global group of people with access to great resources.

These "Has Beens" have it figured out!

A New Place - Karen

Yesterday marked the midway point of our time in Fiji and we have officially transferred temporary homes.  Josh, another friend of the Guerno’s and posted in Fiji for Peace Corps has graciously opened his home to share with us for the second part of our trip.  

Josh is originally from Boston, but has lived 20 years in Seattle so there was an affinity to the northwest in our discussions last night.  We are all settled in and we are now shifting from vacationing touring to more focus on volunteering this week. More to come on that later today!

Phase Three: Doing Good - Jay

Phase Two in our Fijian Reset is now complete.

Phase 1 was all about getting to Fiji. We took the long journey from San Jose (through Los Angeles) to Nadi, Fiji. Once arriving, we purchased our limit of booze (maximum quantity of 2 liters worth of Alcohol per adult. Ours was used for Vanilla Vodka). Then we drove across the Viti Levu Island on the southern route to the capital town of Suva, Fiji.

Phase 2 was about getting oriented and acclimated. We did just that.

We started our journey with friends Joe and Terri. Joe works for the US Embassy and Terri is with the Peace Corp. Both are extraordinary people and live fantastic lives. Their children Zoe (7) and Marley (5) are nice young girls that are full of energy and charisma. The whole family were gracious hosts and we spent several morning, afternoons and nights at their home. They have a great swimming pool, a nice home, and Cable TV (Football Bowl Season plus NFL Playoffs).

The home we stayed at was pulled together by Terri & Joe. One of their neighbors was out of country (how convenient for us). There home was perfect for our needs: 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, open kitchen, gated drive with room to throw a ball. The bonus was that they had a cat named Moby, which the boys absolutely adored. We were hooked up with internet access, and it was a short walk the market.

This phase also helped us learn about the city. We walked to the downtown several times, walked around the local University, and around the neighborhood at large. We now have additional familiarity to the "best" fish & Chips place, grocery store, "Costco-like" place, beer store, butcher, etc.

Our Next Phase, Phase 3, is about doing good in Suva, Fiji. We have reached out our wings to see what we can do. Right now we are looking at a local Home for kids. The peoples community network (they support people in informal/squatter settlements), both Homes for Hope and The Good Neighbor International that support single mothers. Additionally, we have a meeting set with the Director of the National Trust of Fiji. So we can learn how we might add value.

Should be an Excellent Phase... Wish us luck!

Hike: Fiji style – Karen

I think Saturday may end up being one of my favorite 'family days' in Fiji. We (Terri, Zoe, Jay and the boys and I) went up to Colo-I-Suva (pronounced Tholo-ee-Suva) Forest Reserve and met some friends/colleagues of Terri's for a hike /lunch in the rainforest.  We took a short hike across bridges, rocks, streams and steps where we were able to behold majestic views, a bit of nature, pools and waterfalls.  

Near the end of the hike we stopped for a dip into a swimming hole with a rope swing.  The boys were in heaven and able to try jump a few times off the ropes into the deep water below.  After several leaps we all got out of the water awhile to enjoy our packed lunch and were treated to what I only can refer to as a “lunch show” with the locals taking their own jumps from the ropes with acrobats and well polished flips, spins and dives from all parts of the tree/rope. It was quite engaging. Click here to watch the boys on the rope swing  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BenK9aMlfyk


On the return trip back to Suva we packed 12 people into our truck such that we could drop off some of Terri's friends we met up with at the swimming hole to a town between the hike and home. We all giggled and laughed at our ability to get everyone in the truck and even spotted a the Qiri Kapa Boys marching band found only in Fiji.  Everyone had a ball.

Update: Sleep is Underrated - Jay

This is an update to the Sleep is Underrated post.

Based upon last night's adventure, I had to add an additional obstacle to getting a good night's sleep. It is the very product that has supported us to this point. It's the darn air condition unit!

We have moved to a different location. We are staying with Josh (from the Peace Corp). At this new house, the boys are sleeping in a different room than Karen and I. That means that they have a separate air condition unit than we do. The problem is that regulating said unit is not easy to do.

At night, when the temperature cools, we are not sure that the boys are not too cold or too hot. There are not blankets, only a thin sheet. So at night, I worry wether they are actually warm enough. So I go check on them several times a night. Sigh. Need to learn how to moderate the AC.

Sleep is Underrated - Jay

I have found it difficult to sleep in Fiji. It really shouldn't be that way, as I have been very active during the days, have stayed up late enough to be tired, an have consumed enough beer to push me into exhaustion. Its not getting to sleep. Its staying asleep.

When we first arrived, we decided to sleep without air conditioning. I mean really. Almost none of the local people have air conditioning... We should be able to handle it. Wrong. Wow was it hot. And I mean sticky hot. Like 80+ ad 100% humidity inside hot. So hot that it was hard to breathe much less sleep. We now use the air conditioner...

To try to cool it own at night, we keep the windows open so air can flow through the house. But in with the breeze comes with it mosquitos. They are not always visible coming in. bit they are there. We know that because when we awake in the morning, we all have welts from where the bugs have been feasting during the night.

Additionally, I am sometimes woken by that buzzing sound that you get in your ear by a mosquito. bzzzzzzzzz... I know its somewhere close to my face, but I cant do anything about it. Do I get up and turn on the lights to hunt for the little bugger? Or do I spray excessive amounts of Deet around the room? We now keep the sleeping room closed during the day as well as spray a little extra repellent before we go to bed.

Finally, the sounds. In San Jose, the nights are fairly quiet. Your occasional car driving by, but that's about it. Here in Fiji the sounds are sometimes unrecognizable. Certain cars... Yes. People taking... of course. Dogs barking... sure. And then you get the odd tropical birds, the bats, and other animals. And then there are the noises that the rains bring. the pitter patter on the metal roofs. The crackling of the wood expanding and from the moisture. And many other sounds that I cannot rationalize in my brain, thus my mind spins out of control keeping me awake.

Between the heat, bugs, and sounds, I have not yet found the formula for a deep night's sleep.

"Bula" at the University of the South Pacific - Jay

Fiji is a happy place. The people are so polite and friendly... especially on the street.

Today, the family took a walk to and around the University of the South Pacific. We looked around at the campus and checked out the buildings. From the map it looked like the campus was huge. But after walking around it seemed much more manageable.

As we walked by the Bookstore, Law building, Student Centre, and more, we came to notice that nearly everyone we passed looked us in the eye, smiled and said "bula" (Fijian for "hi"). Of course we returned the sentiment, and continued along our path.

We did, notice, sadly, that much of the vegetation on campus took a beating during the recent Cyclone that hit the area. Cyclone Evan took its toll on the Fijian Islands in addition to the significant damage to Samoa.