This summer has been a huge eye-opener for me and the many things I take for granted in my life. The attitude many Americans grow up with is the need and want for more things and better things. We as a nation, in general, are quite materialistic, and we tend not to realize how different other cultures and countries are. Having just returned from a trip to Fiji, I have had trouble acclimating to the constant want that Americans have for nice things.
Here, we do not think twice about walking into restaurants to eat expensive meat and drink safe water. It has been hard for me to grasp the idea of having clean water and yummy, nutritious food at my disposal after not having it for a month. My apartment feels too clean and perfect. Being able to drive my car to a grocery store and clean all my clothing in a machine is a luxury. Listening to people talk about the nice clothing and furniture they want seems strange. The Fijians I met had holes in their clothing and personal items that were falling apart, but they insisted it did not need replacing. And they were all so happy. I learned so much in my experience across the world and with these wonderful people, and it completely changed my perspective on how I should live my life.
Our housing in Fiji was much better than the homes in the neighborhood around us. We had semi-carpeted floors, a couch, a large fence surrounding the property, and warm water at times. Most of the homes around us were made out of scrap metal. The metal walls of these homes did not touch the ground in places, and many doorways were simply holes in the metal with no tangible door. Bricks and rocks were laid on top of the roofs to keep them from blowing away.
The food consisted of mostly carbs. Rice, bread, kasava root, and grain cereals. There were some meats and sauces included in the lunch and dinner foods, but fruits and vegetables were too expensive to provide (as we had 50+ people living in one house).
The water that dripped from the faucets was not drinkable for most. My American-ized stomach required I buy water bottles at supermarkets in order to keep from getting sick. The brave drank the water at our housing placement, and some actually did get acclimated, while others did not.
People's laundry dried on lines across most front and backyards. I washed my clothing in large bowls with powdered soap and hung the clothes up on our front porch. Dishes were washed by hand in sinks and brooms were made with what looked like pieces of straw tied together with twine.
Stray cats and dogs ran the streets very openly. The people do not bother the animals, nor do they have any desire to take them in as pets.
Many Fijians have very little, but are extremely happy with what they do have. They treasure friendships, family, and having a good time. I was invited to countless homes and villages after only meeting the person one time on the bus or after passing them on the streets. I will take these values with me wherever I go now, as it is easier for me to see the larger picture in life, and to know that I do not need a particular material item or really nice meals to be truly happy.
If you would like to learn more details about the trip, traveling, the Fijian lifestyle, or my job there, feel free to email me.
