Also, Cyclone season. There has been plenty of activity in the South Pacific these past couple weeks. A series of tropical depressions have churned their way past these islands and although none of them have developed into a cyclone (the South Pacific version of a hurricane), their resulting cloud cover and rain has kept the sun from shining on us for two solid weeks. The village is muddy, the mosquitoes are rampant, the roof is leaky, the laundry is piling up and my tan is starting to fade. Oh No!
So I'm thinking back to the last day of real sunshine which coincided, fortunately, with the last day of summer break for the school children before they begin their new term. (Remember, Fiji school year is aligned with the calendar year so the new term begins in late January). On that day, I carried on what has become a tradition for me and the kids in my village: a beach picnic to mark the end of the break and enjoy one last hurrah before the school term resumes.
I can't claim to have started this tradition. The previous volunteer who had been in my village had once taken the kids on a picnic during his short tenure here. When I arrived last July and learned of this "event," which was mentioned incessantly during my first couple months, I was not be be outdone. At the end of the August break, off we went!
Recap here: http://crowflyzinfiji.blogspot.com/2011/09/school-break.html
So it was time for Beach Day Redux. It had been raining for a few days leading up to our beach day but we lucked out with an oasis day of sunshine in this gray season. Blue sky, hot sun, white sand, nice surf... great time.
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| My Village Family (well, a small sampling) |
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| with some cheeky moms |
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| Climb and Dive |
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| this little guy spent the morning climbing all over me in the water |
