Fijians

We are adapting to our new, temporary home much better than anticipated. Last night we both commented on how the house seems to get nicer each day we are here, strange how that happens. The setting couldn't get any more glorious.

Elle has a new friend on Fiji, they have been nearly inseperable for two days straight. Our caretaker, Maureen, asked a local 7 year old girl who speaks English to come play. Her name is Sonia and she is of Indian/Fijian descent. She has the cutest English/Indian accent that has begun to influence Elle. Elle now says "Shot-ee", instead of "Short- ee". They are fully getting into learning about each others culture. Elle is teaching her to use her Leapster, and Sonia is teaching Elle how to eat rice with her fingers;) Sonia is teaching us 1-10 in Indian and Fijian, and Elle has taught her the same in French.

Sonia has a brother, Raveet, who unfortunately has been banned from our house by Maureen. Perhaps, this is actually fortunate for us because his first day here he took off with Justin's fishing knife/pliers, intending to keep them himself. Sonia ratted him out. Soon after, we found him admiring closely all our computers and camera's. He asked repeatedly how much they cost and could he have them. "You give them to me?" Maureen told his mommy, and he's now banished from the property. I actually feel kind of sorry for him. You can tell that never in his life has he seen so much stuff! He says he would like to live in California some day.

They go back to school in two weeks (this is their summer break now), and Elle may tag along for a day.

Maureen watched Elle and Liam last night so that Justin and I could have dinner at a local place with a view of the sunset. It was fabulous to get out. This morning she watched them again so that we could kayak, and fish and snorkel on the reef. Unfortunately, as soon as Justin powered us out there the weather turned nasty and he had to turn us around. I told her that we might start taking advantage of her... Between the massages, babysitting, cooking and cleaning, we might be tempted to stay.

This morning I did yoga as the sun came up. It was as close to heaven as you could get (if you believe in that sort of thing). Just the beach, sunrise, a yoga mat, stillness and my technicolor dog, "Shot-ee". Technicolor, because Maureen and Sireli (her husband) let Elle marker him up last night. He had an orange head, purple legs and blue back this morning. After his morning swim he was back to normal.

Fijians LOVE children. We had read about this, but it is still a shock when the waitress grabs your baby and disappears with him. As I walked down the street the other day, every single Fijian I passed came up to us and kissed him, touched him and SMELLED him. Even the boys, ask to hold him and coo over him. Liam is loving the attention. Although, he prefers to be held by mommy as this goes on.

We had our first experience with a true Kava-head last night at dinner. Our waiter was so relaxed on Kava that after taking our order, he walked away, only to return one minute later to ask if we would like to order. We gently reminded him of our order.

Will post more photo's shortly.