2 months of chaos.

So I've been really terrible at keeping you guys at home up to date on life here in Fiji. I've been really busy, so here's a photo montage to give you a brief idea...

The week I got back to Fiji was Sugar Festival...the annual "County Fair" type event in Lautoka.

There were dance competitions. a parade


and Sugar Queens of all sorts...including a night for transgender queens. Miss Rotuma was my favorite.

The next week we had a literacy camp at the school. A few other volunteers came to help, and though a bit chaotic (like most projects are) it was fun and a huge hit with the students & teachers.
We made silly sentences,

and bookmarks amongst other things.

The last day everyone got an award for participating. They were very excited about said awards, and some still carry them around...which is incredible because typically if you give them a piece of paper it's gone by lunch time.

We started the world map mural! Next week we start painting the countries in :)

We celebrated Fiji Day (Fiji's Independence Day)...

The kids put on a skit & sang the national anthem way out of tune...

and I decided I needed a weekend off, so I went snorkeling near Steve's village.

I went on a treasure hunt under the water and found this. I also explored an abandoned hotel...but those pictures are not for the public as most of the writing on the wall is explicit in nature.

I went to one of the squatter settlements nearby to do some composting & backyard squarefoot gardening workshops with my colleagues...

The community was very proud of their model makeshift compost

and square foot gardening is underway...first up, capsicum & Tomatoes

There was a "Race Against Poverty" in Lautoka, sort of like the Amazing Race except the clues all led to stakeholders in poverty alleviation in the area. I serves as the photographer/official hydrater of all participants. They were probably sick of me telling them "drink water!"

Next we celebrated Diwali...the Indian festival of lights. It's when Lord Raam is said to have returned from exile, and it is a celebration of his reunion with Sita Raam.

Everyone dressed in their best Sarees & Cameez

Jessie & I lit our Diwali candles & put them in the front to burn at night.
We went for some delicious curry & sweets at a local friend's place

After the race & Diwali festivities, a few of us decided to rest in Nadi Bay.

And that pretty much sums it up.

Happy Belated Diwali!!!

P.S. here's a glimpse into my daily life. and yes, they really are this nuts, even when there's not a camera in front of them.

video compliments of Amy. This was her group of crazy children during our literacy fetsival.