A Great Day in Fiji

This morning I woke up not too jazzed about Fiji.  On top of it being a monday, my water had been out for a few days, and I had no idea how to fix it.  I walked up to the health center ready to just get the day over with.  Upon arrival, my nurse told me we'd be going out for outpost visit to one of my favorite villages, Lutukina.  This immediately brightened things up.

So the nurse, vuniwai (doctor), and I packed up and headed into the bush to visit Lutukina Village.  It turned out to be one of our most successful post visits we saw almost 50 patients in a span of 2 hours.  We were feeling really proud of hte work we'd done and sat down to eat lunch with some of the village members who had cooked for us.  They uncovered the food and all of a sudden I was face to face with a boiled bat. So today I ate bat.

Sorry if this completely grosses anyone out!

Lutukina village is right on a nice freshwater river.  In a spur of the moment decision my nurse and I decided to jump in and go swimming.. in our work clothes.  We spent the afternoon in the river playing with the village kids and jumping off rocks.  Sopping wet we rode back to the health center in the truck.  When I got there the health center handyman was already heading down to my house to go fix my running water without even asking him.

Nothing like a spur of the moment dip in the river... in your work clothes.

Drank some bu (coconut water) and ate the flesh of the coconut as an afternoon snack. 

In the afternoon I went for a nice long run and when I got home a couple of my best friends came and laid in my grass with me while we talanoa-d (chatted) until dark.  Not everyday is like this, but today was one of those days where I can't imagine being anywhere else but Fiji. 

I'd like to start answering some questions from those of you who are reading this blog!  Feel free to ask any questions about Fiji, my health work, or daily life!