How to feel alive

by Kristen Delugar (Australia)

Making a local connection Fiji

Riding in the cab from Nadi Airport their was a sudden rush of doubt in my mind. This place did not look like the brochures. Broken roads and stray dogs running around. Where was my paradise? I dreamt of palm trees and white sandy beaches. As the driver let me out of the taxi with a friendly smile, I made peace with the fact that I would be spending the next week here. Bula! Said the receptionist with a warm sound in her voice. Welcome to Fiji!. I decided this trip was going to be about local experiences and culture. Waking up the next morning to a beautiful sunset, I set off in my local rental car. The car was certainly unique. The number plate was written on a piece of cardboard and celetaped to the front window. We were headed to the local mud baths and handicraft centre for a day of treatments in nature with the locals. Bula! A friendly group of fijian locals greeted us as we arrived at the baths. After stepping down into the hot natural springs I took a look around me, and felt complete peace at that point in time. Almost as if time stood still. And then a voice interrupted - "excuse me ma'am, would you like to lather in the mud from the baths". What a fun activity! Laughing and throwing mud at each other, we ran around in the sun waiting for the mud to dry. A local Fijian family called us over to look at their handicraft market. As we browsed at the beautiful jewellery, their faces beamed, just waiting for someone to make a purchase. The entire generation was sitting here, baby, mother, and grandmother. Generation after generation, they looked after each other, and continued handing down their skills. Bula! Another voice called from afar. Could I interest you in a coconut oil massage ma'am? Heaven to my ears! With a fast face, I quickly washed off the mud from my body and secured my spot on the massage table. This consisted of a slim mattress on the ground with a basic sheet over it. Just relax she said. And again that peaceful feeling swept over me. That moment you wish you could just pause in time. The smell of coconut wafting in the air and all of my worrys of daily life had swept away. And so I slowly drifted off.. Until a little tap on the shoulder informed me my time was up. It was time to get back on the road. As we waived goodbye to our new friends, we knew that we would see them again. Driving back to Nadi, we decided to find a local restaurant for a bite to eat. We stopped at a small place that was advertising a lunch meal of seafood for $10.00. As we walked in the door, Sala greeted us. Bula she said with the biggest grin I have ever seen. You could tell that Sala had not had many customers today as we over the moon to be able to serve people. Ordering food we struck up conversation to find out Sala was the only one that worked at the Restaurant. She cooked, cleaned and served and worked from 5am -9pm. Inspired by Salas story we asked her to sit with us to each lunch with us. We listened to stories about her life, and her family and learnt about her customs. A true appreciation for the life I live at home fell over me. This woman worked tirelessly to please other people. Sala deserved a break in life, and this urge fell upon us to make this gift happen. Sala started to clean and we rallied around and gathered all of our money. Sala, this is our gift to you. $100 tip. Tears flowing down her face, Sala told us this was around a week salary. She would not be able to buy her children educational books. And at that point my heart was stolen by Fiji. The beaches and sand no longer mattered because I had received a gift that money could not buy. Local connections is what travel is about.