When we arrived in Fiji everything was strange and we didn’t recognize anything. But gradually you find that you are slowly starting to recognize things. And all of a sudden you only have to see a color and some initials you you know exactly what place it is.
Example – if it’s lime green and says BSP, it’s the Bank of South Pacific. If it’s blue and says ANZ, it’s Australia and New Zealand Bank. If it’s red and white and everywhere you look (not to mention it smells good) it’s the Hot Bread Store. And on and on and on.
So yesterday we just took pictures of just a few of the places that we go to and see everyday. And of course we threw in a picture of the ever present buses – how else will you get there. (I didn’t include a picture of a taxi – they are still on my black list).
And on the way we stopped to take in a few views of Fiji’s favorite past time – Rugby. On any given Saturday you will see them gathered in every park, school yard, or any green space that has room for them to run and where they can put up goal posts.
Yesterday we stopped at a few. Actually we were looking for Seta, who volunteers at our office, who told us “I play Rugby on Saturday”. Where? “Oh at the park.” What park? “Oh the one down by the sea wall.” What time? “In the morning.” What color is your uniforms? “Oh, kind of green or blue.”
And around we went. Needless to say we didn’t find him, but we did walk around a lot of other Rugby Games. And it was fun to see the refreshment people who come to sell their Roti’s and other treats all set up with their shades and chairs and tables. And I am sure as we walked around we had more than one person wonder, “What are those palangies doing, they don’t even understand this game!”
And today we found out that one of our ward members saw us, he was playing on one of the fields.
But we are beginning to really appreciate it. And we already have a date for Las Vegas in March to watch the Fiji Sevens team play. And our friend Rob has already committed to two tickets to be waiting for us at the gate. Oh and just as a side note – guess who has been in our office twice in the last two weeks? Ben Ryan!! I know, that means nothing to you at home, but here in Fiji it’s a BIG DEAL!!! And it isn’t just because he has bright red hair! He is the Fiji Sevens head coach!!! And Rob is one of the team managers! Do we know people in high places or what?