Getting Settled

Sunday, June 21, 2009, Evening

 

We’re settling into our new home nicely!   Our bure has a full sized bed, bunk beds, and a single twin – just right for us.    Though they all just have thin foam mattresses, they all sleep very comfortably.    When we arrived, there was one bookcase with 4 shelves – now we have a matching set!   Jimmy spent time today building another bookcase using extra wood from the wood pile.    I think he plans to build at least one more – then we will be in really good shape for places to store our things.  It is already getting tiresome living out of suitcases.

As I write this, it is another rainy night.  Very unusual this time of year, as it is already a few months past the rainy season.  But the rain is very much needed, so no one complains.   We were told today that it is not likely that the systems in place for water collection/conservation is going to be effective enough to make the water last throughout the entire dry season (which is now), so it is likely that the gardens will not make it, and when the water runs out we will have to do all our bathing in the sea.  But they have a new sustainability manager on staff now, so next season should be much different.  The project is just now wrapping up it’s 3^rd year, and have accomplished so much.  From scratch, they’ve built a village – all the structures, gardens, a dam, bucket showers (which I will be helping to mosaic the walls of later this summer!) water collecting systems, ecotricity from wind and solar, and much more.    As time goes on, I will lead you on a tour through pictures of all that goes on here.   It’s a wonderful set up, and really, really inspiring.  The goal is for the island to become completely sustainable – the obstacle to this right now is the water issue. 

We figured out today that our big, friendly, furry, spider friends don’t just come inside in the rain – they just like to hang out on the ceiling.  The dried palm fronds that are our ceiling are their homes.   We just have to be at peace with them – grateful that they are munching on all the other creepy crawlies..  In all honesty, we are really okay with them, it’s just still alarming to shine a flash light up to the ceiling and see all these eyes looking back at you! 

The kids had a great day of playing in the sea, chasing geckos, lizards, and hermit crabs, chatting with other members, and exploring.  They helped a bit with dinner, tagged along when it was time to feed the pigs, played a game of Vindi Vindi with a couple of the Fijian men who happened to be around (think pool/billiards, but on a small wooden table low to the ground, with round pieces like checkers instead of balls, and flicking with fingers rather than pool sticks), and of course ate their share of birthday cake when we celebrated another member’s birthday this afternoon. 

The shower set up is beautiful – it is high up on a rocky cliff.  Inconvenient if the water supply is low up there though, as it was today.  We had to take our bucket down to the main kitchen area, fill it up, then lug it back up the cliff.   We took our showers as the sun was going down and the bats were coming out.  Lots of fruit bats – and very large.  I estimate the wingspan of one to be about that of a large turkey vulture, maybe bigger.  They are amazing to watch. They were flying all about above us while we showered.  We heard them fighting last night, which is pretty common, we are told. 

As I write this, I am grateful for the rain.  However, if the bure roof had to leak, I just wish it wasn’t right over my bed, where I am typing this.   But the roof to the bure was just replaced a couple weeks ago, so I guess I am grateful that it is not more leaky.   Really, for the roof being made of palm fronds, it is really keeping the rain out very, very well.

Being Sunday, it was the quietest, most laid back day of the week here on the island.  On Sundays all the Fijians leave the island for church and family, so we have the island to ourselves and it is just a lazy day.  Also the rules about dress are lifted, so Sundays are the days that tank tops, shorts, and bathing suits come out.  Tomorrow starts the week – the Fijians return and there is work to be done.  I’m really eager to meet all those I’ve heard so much about and find out what the projects are for this week.  Jimmy is riding the boat into Labasa to do some shopping (we really need pillows!)  and to use the internet, so he’ll be gone most of the day.

Off now to read a bit before bed!  Good night!