Taking a breath!

So, they weren't kidding about this Peace Corps thing! haha. I began this journey about 9 days ago and am going to do a brief recap here for ya. We first went to LA for some staging. Got to meet the peeps I'm doing this with and Peace Corps facilitated some bonding activities, answered questions and whatnot. The next night we boarded the flight and after some haggling with the check-in lady in regards to my carry-on being quite over weight, we were off. I originally was concerned about flying economy for 10.5 hours, but a little benedryl worked wonders - hollah! We unfortunately did not get a grand aerial view coming into Fiji, but, we did see the sunrise and illuminate the mountains/hilltops as we exited the airport. I teared up a little bit - to think, I had finally arrived!!!! We then went to a Christian camp for the day where we participated in our first (and far from the last) Sevu Sevu ceremony where Peace Corps Fiji formally welcomed us into the country. This is an incredibly culturally rich ceremony that involves many fine nuances and ultimately kava drinking. Kava is passed around in a coconut shell and is a murky brown liquid that tastes to me like dirt + water. It numbs the mouth and throat, and over time (like months) it builds up in the body and one starts being able to get "drunk" off of it. However, this "drunk" differs a bit from booze. It's more of a "groggy," tired feeling. Perhaps that's why it is also called Grog?? Anyhow, one claps once before taking the coconut shell from the presenter, and then says "bula" and then drinks. Upon drinking it all down at once, you can clap 3 times. Since I have been in Fiji (about a week) I have participated in several "grog sessions" because this ritual is used at every welcoming event and just to hang out, chat, discuss, and get to know people. Some village members drink every night! Sooooo - we did water training while at the Christian camp (there for 24 hours) and then we were off to the Nadave compound to live and train for a couple days. This was a lovely facility over looking a river, islands and a glimpse of the ocean. After this point, we were place in our training villages to live with host families. This is where it gets VERY interesting. Now we are fully immersed in the culture. My family is delightful and consists of my "Nana" (who is younger than me at age 26), her 2 y/o son, and Nau Ulai (grandpa Ulai) a 79 year old man who still shimmies up coconut trees to gather raw nuts that have the most delicious juice in them yum! BTW, there is this awesome reed plant that break off and use as a straw. It's strong and works WAY better than its plastic counterpart. Upon arriving in my host village (called Waivou - a fishing village that lies below sea level), I have been busy from dawn till around 11pm every night! Wow. After being there only 2 hours, I had done a sevu sevu, participated in an evening prayer session (methodist), joined a choir, and partaken in a home grog session (all female). Talk about BUSY haha. And that has been the trend since. For instance, yesterday I had language class, drew a map of the village with a few other trainees, cleaned fresh caught fish for dinner, went to formal church, sang in choir, and had Grog with the Preacher and some other welcoming elder men. CRAZY! I had some of the best sleep yet despite a friggin huge cock roach zipping around the INSIDE of my mozzie net. I mean, REALLY!? I'll take a gecko any day - and there are PLENTY that's for sure. They also make a funny chirping that is always heard. The other animals are hilarious as well - like the toads that hang out on the porch and seem to have a sense of entitlement, and the 5 cats that mew for freshly squeezed milk and fish guts. The little boy I live with, Jojo, is the biggest hoot ---- what a character. OK, time to go, I'm at an internet cafe and we must return to the village. Lots of Love to you all! - Z (more to come later!)