How'd you spend your summer? Here's how our matavavule spent their summer.
In their own words...
Jourdin Westbrooks (class of 2020): Never before had I been to Fiji and it changed the way I think of a lot of things. I always knew that I lived a privileged life but before this trip. I was used to being able to take long hot showers, not having to worry about if the water was purified, and connect to the internet at any given moment. But staying in the village put a lot into perspective. I learned to be more conservative and how to “disconnect to connect”. Phones are such a distraction in today's society and being forced to not use them was a blessing. We all grew so much closer and I learned what it meant to make connections with people on a whole other level. I loved sitting with my host family and just talking to them without the distractions of electronics. The villagers in the highlands taught me what it means to be apart of a community. They welcomed us so easily into their homes, adopting us as family the second we met. From my experience with them, I thought to myself, if everyone in the world were this accepting of each other how much better off the world would be.
The Rustic staff were so amazing. Right off the bat we were treated like family. John and Jen were beyond great. John’s fun nature and Jen’s care-taking made for an amazing time. They opened our minds to so many new insights. Saying goodbye to them was really hard to do. We got really lucky to have them with us. All the other rustic staff at the base house and in the village taught us about their culture and were always willing to help and answer our questions.
The Rustic staff were so amazing. Right off the bat we were treated like family. John and Jen were beyond great. John’s fun nature and Jen’s care-taking made for an amazing time. They opened our minds to so many new insights. Saying goodbye to them was really hard to do. We got really lucky to have them with us. All the other rustic staff at the base house and in the village taught us about their culture and were always willing to help and answer our questions.
Jordan May (class of 2020): It’s hard to put an experience like Fiji into words, or even to compare it to anything else. I had heard other experiences with Rustic trips from other students and decided I wanted to experience something new as well. I worked to save up the money to go on this trip during the entire school year, so I went into it with high expectations. Every single one of those expectations were far surpassed. From the moment we met our Rustic Pathways group leaders, John and Jen, to our last tearful goodbyes, I never could have imagined how quickly we would have made connections with complete strangers and how deep those connections would grow over the span of 13 days. This sense of family and community was a reoccurring theme throughout the trip. Fiji has an aura of genuineness and kindness, where the people welcome with open arms, and are quick to laugh and smile.
I think one of the really special things about Rustic is that we got to experience Fiji in a truer form than most tourists get to see. Throughout our trip, many of the discussions that took place in our group revolved around development, sustainability, and their effects on the local people. We talked about how tourists will stay in resorts that have made detrimental impacts to the islands in unimaginable ways, and how tourists don’t get to be culturally immersed like we were. I feel that we actually got to encounter the true heart of Fiji, and leave a part of ourselves there through our service.
When we stayed in a village in the Nausori Highlands, the kids of our home stays became our siblings, and the Nenes and Momos of the house (moms and dads) became our own parents. They welcomed us into their homes graciously, giving us their rooms while they slept on the floor, preparing tea for us, playing rugby with us, and telling stories over a big mother bowl of kava with us. Even though we came to the village to do service by building walkways and painting, I felt as if I were the one being serviced. Every day spent in the Highlands was truly the ultimate gift. It felt strange to be thanked for my service when all I could say was “vinaka”(thank you) to everyone in the village for their genuine hospitality and kindness. When we left the Highlands, there were many tears cried and kisses blown as we drove off down the hill. I feel so incredibly lucky to have met my second family in the Highlands and to have experienced beauty and happiness in its rawest form.
We then took off on a boat ride to the beautiful island of Somo Somo. The Rustic base was right on the water, where we stayed in tents and did marine conservation. As soon as we stepped onto the island, a group of lewas (women) greeted us with a Fijian welcome song and many hugs. These ladies (Koro, Sheri, Leti, and Sara) lived in the village right next to the base, and cooked delicious food for us during our stay. All the other local Fijian staff played volleyball, snorkeled, hiked, and talked with us as well. It was amazing to see the same love and friendliness in two different places hours away.
As corny as it might sound, Fiji truly changed my life. It changed the way I look at how I live my life and the impact that I have on the world and on others. If you’re trying to decide whether or not to go on this trip, I strongly encourage you to step outside your comfort zone and take a risk! This trip was so much deeper than what I could have ever imagined and I’m forever grateful for the opportunity.
I think one of the really special things about Rustic is that we got to experience Fiji in a truer form than most tourists get to see. Throughout our trip, many of the discussions that took place in our group revolved around development, sustainability, and their effects on the local people. We talked about how tourists will stay in resorts that have made detrimental impacts to the islands in unimaginable ways, and how tourists don’t get to be culturally immersed like we were. I feel that we actually got to encounter the true heart of Fiji, and leave a part of ourselves there through our service.
When we stayed in a village in the Nausori Highlands, the kids of our home stays became our siblings, and the Nenes and Momos of the house (moms and dads) became our own parents. They welcomed us into their homes graciously, giving us their rooms while they slept on the floor, preparing tea for us, playing rugby with us, and telling stories over a big mother bowl of kava with us. Even though we came to the village to do service by building walkways and painting, I felt as if I were the one being serviced. Every day spent in the Highlands was truly the ultimate gift. It felt strange to be thanked for my service when all I could say was “vinaka”(thank you) to everyone in the village for their genuine hospitality and kindness. When we left the Highlands, there were many tears cried and kisses blown as we drove off down the hill. I feel so incredibly lucky to have met my second family in the Highlands and to have experienced beauty and happiness in its rawest form.
We then took off on a boat ride to the beautiful island of Somo Somo. The Rustic base was right on the water, where we stayed in tents and did marine conservation. As soon as we stepped onto the island, a group of lewas (women) greeted us with a Fijian welcome song and many hugs. These ladies (Koro, Sheri, Leti, and Sara) lived in the village right next to the base, and cooked delicious food for us during our stay. All the other local Fijian staff played volleyball, snorkeled, hiked, and talked with us as well. It was amazing to see the same love and friendliness in two different places hours away.
As corny as it might sound, Fiji truly changed my life. It changed the way I look at how I live my life and the impact that I have on the world and on others. If you’re trying to decide whether or not to go on this trip, I strongly encourage you to step outside your comfort zone and take a risk! This trip was so much deeper than what I could have ever imagined and I’m forever grateful for the opportunity.
Katelyn Chua-Chiaco (class of 2022): From the amazing people to the places and activities, this trip has undoubtedly been the most eye opening experience I’ve ever had. I have learned that this world is filled with so many beautiful places to explore, each one with their own unique characteristics. Sometimes we get so lost in our own lives that we don’t look at the places outside of our society. I am so thankful for such an amazing opportunity and to the people I got to share the experience with. I am especially grateful to the people who were on this trip because they made the experience the best that I could imagine.
Rustic Pathways made this trip an incredible experience. Our program leaders - John and Jen - were responsible, patient, well organized, fun to be around. From the leaders to the planned activities, everything was well organized and managed while maintaining a fun atmosphere. John and Jen made sure to accommodate any food allergies, gave us clean water and food, and watched out for our health. Rustic pathways had our safety in their best interests. Every person in Fiji, from the rustic pathways staff to the villagers, were so pleasant to be around. Everyone was so welcoming and nice.
Rustic Pathways made this trip an incredible experience. Our program leaders - John and Jen - were responsible, patient, well organized, fun to be around. From the leaders to the planned activities, everything was well organized and managed while maintaining a fun atmosphere. John and Jen made sure to accommodate any food allergies, gave us clean water and food, and watched out for our health. Rustic pathways had our safety in their best interests. Every person in Fiji, from the rustic pathways staff to the villagers, were so pleasant to be around. Everyone was so welcoming and nice.
Katie Heim (class of 2022): This trip was a life changing experience. I was lucky enough to completely immerse my self in a culture that is so vastly different from my own. The Fijians take the concept of Ohana and Aloha to a whole new level. The villagers have more wealth than any of us because they are rich in love and family. By coming on this trip, I found that these things will stand the test of time when all other material possessions eventually deteriorate. The incredibly strong sense of family and community is something I am going to take back to Hawaii. The Nausori Highlands stay was the first time I had ever done a home stay, and the family that I stayed with treated me like their daughter. I learned so much about love and family from them. The service that we did in the highlands felt more like fun than work. We dug, mixed and poured cement, primed and painted a essential village structure. The entire time we did this, no one complained because of the positive and happy environment that we were in. Goodbye in Fijian is Moce (pronounced “mothay”) but instead of saying that we said “sota tale’ to Nausori because we plan on going back. Next we traveled to Somosomo, a beachside village that is unmatched in natural beauty, hospitality, and great food. On this beautiful island I discovered how much I care about marine conservation and how I want to have a career that centers around protecting the ocean and its inhabitants. This trip overall was the greatest experience of my life. One major thing I learned was If you have an opportunity to travel the world and serve an entire community, don’t miss out on it because it will be an adventure of a lifetime.
Michelle Matsumori-Kelly (class of 2022): I could never have began to imagine what I would learn and see on this trip. I feel like a different person than I was when I walked out of the plane on that first day, more educated and aware of the environmental damage being done by even the smallest choices I make. On our first day, when we stayed in the eco-lodge, we sat down with everyone and had a kava ceremony that quickly turned into all of us singing and dancing along to a bunch of random songs played on a guitar. That's the first time I felt a connection to my classmates, some of which I had almost never talked to in the years that I had gone to school with them. The next several days we spent up in the highlands were some of the most memorable times of my life. Every moment was a laugh about Jourdin's alter-ego (Joyce) or a little kid trying to teach me a game I didn't quite understand. What I loved when we were all there was that I was never alone. Everything we did, or played, or felt was together and no matter what it was we always ended up with a smile on our face - even through the numerous times we were crying our eyes out. When we first got there, Jen said that we would be leaving there as a part of the community and a part of their family and at the time I didn't believe it. I thought she was just saying that, but by the time we were climbing into the carrier to leave the village I knew for a fact that I could come back and they'd welcome me with open arms. And I think that's why it hurt so much to leave my family behind, because in just a few short days I felt more at home than I ever had in my life.
But it was time to go, and even though I was sad it made me feel better that everyone else in the carrier with me was just as sad as I was. After heading back to the eco-lodge, we were given a letter from our parents and asked to rethink our definition of family and community by ourselves. Personally, I think this was one of the most eye opening moments for me, because afterwards we were shown a bay that was going to be destroyed by a company and it made me realize how little they value the things that we had learned to respect so much. The next week we spent in Somosomo at the base camp gave all of us the chance to get to know each other better. I learned Anna's tendency of kicking volleyballs instead of hitting them with her hands (like a normal person) and John's willingness to literally put his hand through fire just to roast marshmallows. Leaving was one of the saddest experiences of my life until I was told by John, it's not the end, it's the beginning. And also "Don't be sad bcoz it's over, be happy bcoz it happened". He misspelled it just for us! I know Jen told us that we would walk away from this trip from a new family, but I think we walked away with two, I have my Fijian family, who couldn't have been more loving and welcoming, and the family of weird (British) humans I found myself working alongside for two insane and inspiring weeks. I'll never forget this trip and I never want the impact of it on us and everyone else to be forgotten either. That would be, by far, the ultimate gift.
But it was time to go, and even though I was sad it made me feel better that everyone else in the carrier with me was just as sad as I was. After heading back to the eco-lodge, we were given a letter from our parents and asked to rethink our definition of family and community by ourselves. Personally, I think this was one of the most eye opening moments for me, because afterwards we were shown a bay that was going to be destroyed by a company and it made me realize how little they value the things that we had learned to respect so much. The next week we spent in Somosomo at the base camp gave all of us the chance to get to know each other better. I learned Anna's tendency of kicking volleyballs instead of hitting them with her hands (like a normal person) and John's willingness to literally put his hand through fire just to roast marshmallows. Leaving was one of the saddest experiences of my life until I was told by John, it's not the end, it's the beginning. And also "Don't be sad bcoz it's over, be happy bcoz it happened". He misspelled it just for us! I know Jen told us that we would walk away from this trip from a new family, but I think we walked away with two, I have my Fijian family, who couldn't have been more loving and welcoming, and the family of weird (British) humans I found myself working alongside for two insane and inspiring weeks. I'll never forget this trip and I never want the impact of it on us and everyone else to be forgotten either. That would be, by far, the ultimate gift.
Anna Wood (class of 2022): In our IB classes, we always discuss the limits of technology as a medium— what depth is lost in the message as we rely further and further upon the digital than human. It’s because of this that I know nothing will be as effective as conveying the experience I had in Fiji as being able to live through it oneself. However, as that’s not possible for everyone, I’ll do my best to describe the past two weeks. But even now as I type this, I can’t help but wonder how to formulate these feelings into words. How do you compile two weeks— 336 hours— into bulky English? The time we spent together seemed to stretch into forever and then was gone in a “sota tale” (Fijian for “see you again”). But those cherished moments of a world so different from my own and yet fundamentally connected will stay with me forever: meeting our program leaders, Jen and John, for the first time; learning hand games from the Nausori Highlands kids; sprinting with real fear in an intense game of duck duck goose; laughing and singing as we built a pathway; swinging in hammocks together; breathing in the fresh air; the sporadic volleyball games; calling out in Fijian to each other; and all the hugs.
Something I’ve discovered in Fiji is the powerful bonds that can form between people. One can read all they can about “the strength of love” and relationships, but being able to really experience it— the genuine, welcoming nature of the Fijian natives— is something else altogether. Everywhere we went, “bula”s (hello) were exchanged. One of the best things was one of the elders calling out your name, sounding urgent, only to cheerfully smile and shout “bula” across the clearing. The emphasis Fijians place on names and physicality truly made us feel connected— it seems like at all times we were running, giving high fives, or sitting together. It took me out of my head and allowed me to just experience. The Fijian people have such a rich culture and lives, it’s truly given me the ultimate gift— an understanding of why diversity needs to be protected. As my sister, Charlotte, said about her trip to Fiji in comparison to our rhythmic lives in Hawaii: “what kind of living is that? It’s not living, it’s being alive. And because of this trip to Fiji, I know the difference.”
Something I’ve discovered in Fiji is the powerful bonds that can form between people. One can read all they can about “the strength of love” and relationships, but being able to really experience it— the genuine, welcoming nature of the Fijian natives— is something else altogether. Everywhere we went, “bula”s (hello) were exchanged. One of the best things was one of the elders calling out your name, sounding urgent, only to cheerfully smile and shout “bula” across the clearing. The emphasis Fijians place on names and physicality truly made us feel connected— it seems like at all times we were running, giving high fives, or sitting together. It took me out of my head and allowed me to just experience. The Fijian people have such a rich culture and lives, it’s truly given me the ultimate gift— an understanding of why diversity needs to be protected. As my sister, Charlotte, said about her trip to Fiji in comparison to our rhythmic lives in Hawaii: “what kind of living is that? It’s not living, it’s being alive. And because of this trip to Fiji, I know the difference.”
Leigh Farah (class of 2020): In short, this trip completely shattered expectations. Not only through activities that I experienced, but through the people that I met and the relationships that I formed. People are truly what made this trip what it was.
Itʼs funny because when I walked onto the plane to fly back to Hawaii, all that I could think about was how I could barely remember how to say ‘Vinaka Vaka Levueʼ (thank you very much) on the flight to Fiji. Ultimately, ‘vinakaʼ (thank you), one of the first Fijian words I learned, was used more often than any other word on this trip, in every welcome ceremony, every story that was shared, every minute of service completed, and every painful goodbye. For every second of this trip to Fiji, I am thankful and grateful to the forever family that I found in my friends, in my teacher, in our leaders, and in the villages of Somosomo and the Nasori Highlands.
So, for these words to commemorate this trip, I would like to write about and thank the people the shaped the experiences that I had.
To Jourdin, my homestay partner, I am so grateful that we have grown so close during this trip. It is true that we didnʼt talk much in school, and it was insane how quickly we were able to start joking and talking casually with each other on the very first day of the trip. You really had the best outfits throughout the trip, and I enjoyed freezing in the shower at our house in Nasori and refusing to use the bathroom because of the weird looking snake worm. In all seriousness, you are completely and truly amazing, inside and out. You always speak your mind, which I find admirable, and are such a strong spirit with a fire inside you to change the world. Pursue your dreams, both what they are now and what they might turn out to be, and you will change the world. Vinaka!
To Jordan, I canʼt believe how close weʼve grown. From totally winning at cement mixing to having to sleep in the quarantine tent, every experience has made us closer as friends. Your devotion towards protection of the earth has inspired me to gain an interest in and personal connection to conservation. Looking out at the land that might be destroyed in 15 years, and swimming over the coral rubble in the ocean, I know that you will have a major part in making a change for the better, and I feel inspired by you to do the same. Iʼm so glad we got to swing in hammocks, decorate our faces in war paint, chill with Jack the cat, annoy Sir Paul, and get completely drenched on the ferry ride together. I really hope the ghosts donʼt come after you...Vinaka!
To Katie, Iʼm so glad we got to hang out on this trip, and as I said before, I think that you would fight someone for any of us if you had to. I‘d never really talked to you before this trip because weʼve never been in the same classes. I never realized how interested in and knowledgeable you are about the earth and the creatures that live on it, and I feel like I have so much to learn from you. You are so strong willed, and I love your fiery personality. I really hope we continue to be friends after we we go back to school in the fall. Vinaka!
To Josh, I canʼt believe weʼve never talked at all in school. You always seemed pretty quiet, but you were the literal opposite on this trip. I hope your throat doesnʼt hurt to bad from that dinosaur screech you kept doing. Itʼs crazy how much information you could give anyone about anything, especially geography and history. Youʼre so fun to be around, and I wish you lots of luck in college pursuing your dreams. Also, our fish house was definitely the best! Vinaka!
To Katelyn, weʼve known each other for so long because of swimming, but Iʼm glad we got to get closer on this trip. You are the nicest person ever, and were always willing to help anyone that needed it. Iʼm glad we got to do the homestay together; you always tolerated mine and Jourdinʼs complaining. It was amazing to see the bond you formed with baby Sai and the kindness you extended to every person you met. I canʼt wait for many more swim practices to come...Vinaka!
To Michelle, you are so crazy, from your animal noises, to the loudest ever chee-hoo. It was amazing to see all the little kids hugging you and crowding around you. Iʼm so happy I got to become your friend because you made this trip so much fun and I admire your confidence so much. I really hope we continue hanging out as seniors in the fall. Vinaka!
To Anna, my best friend ever. I went in with the expectation that we would be spending a lot of this trip together, and while we definitely did, Iʼm glad we were able to branch out and form relationships with new people. At the same time, we still dominated cement mixing, completely painted Mr. Balazs), and broke our knees sitting criss cross applesauce for too long (maybe just me). Youʼre the most hardworking and coolest people Iʼve ever met, and Iʼm excited to share what we learned with all our friends. Vinaka!
To Mr. Balazs, thank you so much for giving us all the opportunity to come to Fiji. The aspects of culture, language, and family that we gained are unforgettable. I also enjoyed beating you at the coconut balancing contest. I most definitely won. The paint wars were also pretty fun but sorry it took you so long to get the paint off of yourself (not sorry)...also thanks for helping me out when I was super sick. Oh yeah and it was really funny going through your GoPro footage because you were literally videoing random stuff haha. But Iʼm really glad you took 13,000 photos on your phone because theyʼre all super memorable and I hope your phone still has storage. Thanks for making this trip better than I ever expected, and I canʼt wait to incorporate what I learned into class and into life. Vinaka!
To John, thank you for being such an amazing program leader. Going into this trip, I genuinely did not expect to form a bond with my program leaders, but you and Jen are family forever. It was amazing to see how much you were willing to share about your home and itʼs culture. You are the funniest person ever, and even though you joked with us constantly, I havenʼt learned my lesson and still always believed the first thing you said. I had a lot of fun doing service with you, even though you were so much faster than all of us at digging up the path and mixing cement. Also thanks for giving us lemons to eat and throwing raw eggs at us...and also for thinking a sand dollar was a butter cookie. Sorry for accidentally taking your sulu one time but I definitely gave it back so I have no idea where it went! Also, thanks for playing Chimbala; Jordan and I love that song now. I think all of us are going to keep saying ‘e fine chuʼ everyday and weʼre definitely going to teach everyone pakk! Iʼm going to miss you so much and I really hope that you come to Hawaii really soon! Minaqua!
To Jen, thank you for making this trip so incredible. You literally had so much knowledge to give us about conservation and all of the things you learned in Fiji! Thanks for keeping our group in check and for always telling us when John was joking with us. Also thanks for introducing Black Magic to us it was really fun trying to figure that out! Iʼm definitely going to try to trick all of my friends. In Somosomo, I admired how much you loved and cared for the ocean and life on the reef, even though you got stung my a bunch of jellyfish snorkeling. Also, Iʼm getting sick together sucked; that was so painful, but thanks for helping me through it. Also, thanks for helping me celebrate my birthday with the cake! Iʼm so sad you had to leave us early, but I know you were going to do more super amazing things and your next group was lucky to have you as their leader. Please come to Hawaii soon! Vinaka!
To finish, I remember John saying that he would not say Moce (goodbye) to us because we were not gone forever, and he would see us again. So to Jen, John, and all of Fiji, Iʼll see you again! Sota Tale!
****
The Matavuvale (family)
Itʼs funny because when I walked onto the plane to fly back to Hawaii, all that I could think about was how I could barely remember how to say ‘Vinaka Vaka Levueʼ (thank you very much) on the flight to Fiji. Ultimately, ‘vinakaʼ (thank you), one of the first Fijian words I learned, was used more often than any other word on this trip, in every welcome ceremony, every story that was shared, every minute of service completed, and every painful goodbye. For every second of this trip to Fiji, I am thankful and grateful to the forever family that I found in my friends, in my teacher, in our leaders, and in the villages of Somosomo and the Nasori Highlands.
So, for these words to commemorate this trip, I would like to write about and thank the people the shaped the experiences that I had.
To Jourdin, my homestay partner, I am so grateful that we have grown so close during this trip. It is true that we didnʼt talk much in school, and it was insane how quickly we were able to start joking and talking casually with each other on the very first day of the trip. You really had the best outfits throughout the trip, and I enjoyed freezing in the shower at our house in Nasori and refusing to use the bathroom because of the weird looking snake worm. In all seriousness, you are completely and truly amazing, inside and out. You always speak your mind, which I find admirable, and are such a strong spirit with a fire inside you to change the world. Pursue your dreams, both what they are now and what they might turn out to be, and you will change the world. Vinaka!
To Jordan, I canʼt believe how close weʼve grown. From totally winning at cement mixing to having to sleep in the quarantine tent, every experience has made us closer as friends. Your devotion towards protection of the earth has inspired me to gain an interest in and personal connection to conservation. Looking out at the land that might be destroyed in 15 years, and swimming over the coral rubble in the ocean, I know that you will have a major part in making a change for the better, and I feel inspired by you to do the same. Iʼm so glad we got to swing in hammocks, decorate our faces in war paint, chill with Jack the cat, annoy Sir Paul, and get completely drenched on the ferry ride together. I really hope the ghosts donʼt come after you...Vinaka!
To Katie, Iʼm so glad we got to hang out on this trip, and as I said before, I think that you would fight someone for any of us if you had to. I‘d never really talked to you before this trip because weʼve never been in the same classes. I never realized how interested in and knowledgeable you are about the earth and the creatures that live on it, and I feel like I have so much to learn from you. You are so strong willed, and I love your fiery personality. I really hope we continue to be friends after we we go back to school in the fall. Vinaka!
To Josh, I canʼt believe weʼve never talked at all in school. You always seemed pretty quiet, but you were the literal opposite on this trip. I hope your throat doesnʼt hurt to bad from that dinosaur screech you kept doing. Itʼs crazy how much information you could give anyone about anything, especially geography and history. Youʼre so fun to be around, and I wish you lots of luck in college pursuing your dreams. Also, our fish house was definitely the best! Vinaka!
To Katelyn, weʼve known each other for so long because of swimming, but Iʼm glad we got to get closer on this trip. You are the nicest person ever, and were always willing to help anyone that needed it. Iʼm glad we got to do the homestay together; you always tolerated mine and Jourdinʼs complaining. It was amazing to see the bond you formed with baby Sai and the kindness you extended to every person you met. I canʼt wait for many more swim practices to come...Vinaka!
To Michelle, you are so crazy, from your animal noises, to the loudest ever chee-hoo. It was amazing to see all the little kids hugging you and crowding around you. Iʼm so happy I got to become your friend because you made this trip so much fun and I admire your confidence so much. I really hope we continue hanging out as seniors in the fall. Vinaka!
To Anna, my best friend ever. I went in with the expectation that we would be spending a lot of this trip together, and while we definitely did, Iʼm glad we were able to branch out and form relationships with new people. At the same time, we still dominated cement mixing, completely painted Mr. Balazs), and broke our knees sitting criss cross applesauce for too long (maybe just me). Youʼre the most hardworking and coolest people Iʼve ever met, and Iʼm excited to share what we learned with all our friends. Vinaka!
To Mr. Balazs, thank you so much for giving us all the opportunity to come to Fiji. The aspects of culture, language, and family that we gained are unforgettable. I also enjoyed beating you at the coconut balancing contest. I most definitely won. The paint wars were also pretty fun but sorry it took you so long to get the paint off of yourself (not sorry)...also thanks for helping me out when I was super sick. Oh yeah and it was really funny going through your GoPro footage because you were literally videoing random stuff haha. But Iʼm really glad you took 13,000 photos on your phone because theyʼre all super memorable and I hope your phone still has storage. Thanks for making this trip better than I ever expected, and I canʼt wait to incorporate what I learned into class and into life. Vinaka!
To John, thank you for being such an amazing program leader. Going into this trip, I genuinely did not expect to form a bond with my program leaders, but you and Jen are family forever. It was amazing to see how much you were willing to share about your home and itʼs culture. You are the funniest person ever, and even though you joked with us constantly, I havenʼt learned my lesson and still always believed the first thing you said. I had a lot of fun doing service with you, even though you were so much faster than all of us at digging up the path and mixing cement. Also thanks for giving us lemons to eat and throwing raw eggs at us...and also for thinking a sand dollar was a butter cookie. Sorry for accidentally taking your sulu one time but I definitely gave it back so I have no idea where it went! Also, thanks for playing Chimbala; Jordan and I love that song now. I think all of us are going to keep saying ‘e fine chuʼ everyday and weʼre definitely going to teach everyone pakk! Iʼm going to miss you so much and I really hope that you come to Hawaii really soon! Minaqua!
To Jen, thank you for making this trip so incredible. You literally had so much knowledge to give us about conservation and all of the things you learned in Fiji! Thanks for keeping our group in check and for always telling us when John was joking with us. Also thanks for introducing Black Magic to us it was really fun trying to figure that out! Iʼm definitely going to try to trick all of my friends. In Somosomo, I admired how much you loved and cared for the ocean and life on the reef, even though you got stung my a bunch of jellyfish snorkeling. Also, Iʼm getting sick together sucked; that was so painful, but thanks for helping me through it. Also, thanks for helping me celebrate my birthday with the cake! Iʼm so sad you had to leave us early, but I know you were going to do more super amazing things and your next group was lucky to have you as their leader. Please come to Hawaii soon! Vinaka!
To finish, I remember John saying that he would not say Moce (goodbye) to us because we were not gone forever, and he would see us again. So to Jen, John, and all of Fiji, Iʼll see you again! Sota Tale!
****
The Matavuvale (family)
Thailand & Laos, in their words
Joshua Olson (Class of 2019)
Sawatdee krup! I was one of the fifteen students that went on the 2018 Thailand and Laos.
The trip to Thailand and Laos is probably one of my favorite trips. Being a person who has only traveled to more economically developed countries (New Zealand and Australia), I had no idea what to expect. We all had our own expectations on what we would expect in these countries that none of us have traveled to. I quickly learned to discard all of my expectations.
The main reason why I am going on the Fiji trip is because of my experiences in Thailand of learning from and talking to the native people and our guides. The stories and knowledge gained from those interactions were nothing like what I would have experienced if I was there for a ordinary sightseeing vacation. And our trip was not “ordinary tourism”. Some of the best interactions I have had on this trip was from our service projects and our homestay. Seeing how life is like in those villages and towns made me think of a more “simpler” life than ours here. To experience that lifestyle again, while I have the opportunity to, is the main reason why I am going on the Fiji trip.
"Disconnected" by Vanessa Kwong
Disconnected
10 September 2018
The cheerful notification of a text message or the annoying screams of an alarm. Today,
electricity has provided us with countless opportunities. It has made communication as easy as tapping a few buttons on a delicate glass screen or shopping without ever needing to leave the comfort of our homes. For years, I have had the luxury of owning a phone; some with what looks like spider webs etched into the glass from all the drops from my back pocket, and some with cases that displayed an array of vibrant colors. With the ever-advancing technology, I never imagined a day where I would experience a day without technology... until the summer of my Junior Year. Out of curiosity and adventurousness, I decided to go on a school trip to the charming country of Fiji. I was told it would be an exhilarating trip full of new memories, beautiful scenery, and amusing volunteer opportunities.
As soon as I landed on the island, I was immediately rushed into an aged, rusty pickup truck. I walked to the back and noticed the truck bed was encased with blue plastic tarps and metal rods to create a makeshift cover in case of rain, with two rows of seating lining either side of the bed. As I flung myself into the truck bed, the truck started growling and grunting and a black puff of smoke erupted into the Fijian air. The truck slowly drifted away from the noisy city and into the isolated mountains. It appeared as if an earthquake was occurring as we felt every petite pebbleor broken branch. I quickly snatched my phone from my overstuffed backpack to capture the exciting car ride and the view of the green ocean of trees.
As soon as we arrived, the locals quickly emerged from their homes to see what group of students have visited this time. Immediately, I looked around and noticed that the life I had become so familiar with did not exist in this small village. This secluded village nestled deep in the mountains consisted of houses arranged in a circular, egg pattern with the chief house in the center. The houses looked somewhat similar to shipping containers cut up into rough rectangles to be used as house walls. Pieces of wood that were mismatched like scattered pieces of a splintered puzzle had been collected as well to create makeshift windows. After I dragged my bag off the truck, I followed my homestay parents to their house. With ecstatic smiles and cheerful embraces, they welcomed me into their home. Hands clammy, and breathing hard I carefully took off my stinky sneakers and placed them neatly outside the door. Inside, simple wood furniture lined the metal walls, hand-woven, checker patterned mats made of dried leaves were stretched across the concrete floors, and children ran barefooted in what seemed like endless circles. My eyes wandered from corner to corner of the small home to familiarize myself with the area. Heart pounding and slowly slugging my way around, I learned that the rooms were divided with carefully draped blankets and thin bed sheets over a tightly wounded rope rather than a thick slab of concrete. As I walked through the house I noticed electrical outlets were non- existent. I immediately went into a frenzy wondering how I was going to manage to charge my phone and portable charger. What did they do with no phones or even a house light? How did they watch movies? An endless array of questions filled my head.
As my nightmare of going without technology became a reality, I found myself in a state of confusion, it felt as if I was walking around in never ending circles, looking for something that didn’t exist. The life I had been living was filled with the convenience and luxury of televisions, phones, and computers. Here, I couldn't even get a phone signal let alone charge the handful of electronics I decided to bring along. As I reluctantly powered my phone off, it felt as if I was being stripped of my personal assistant, the one thing that had made my life so easy for so long. Every morning I would wake to the blaring voice of her, and she would keep me entertained throughout the long day. I often jumped from one application to another, consistently checking my Snapchat or Instagram. It made me feel connected to the world, I could see everything through this small LED glass. It was like I needed electricity to function, to have power and when I had none of it, I was being powered off. A slight breeze tickled my shoulder and a ray of sunshine slowly shimmered its way thorough the window. I peered outside to see the others playing together and enjoying their time. I reluctantly held the power button and watched as my phone disconnect and just sat there quietly holding my dear friend in the palm of my hands. I questioned how exciting would a trip to Fiji be if I would not be able to document it and share it with all my friends. What was the point of going to such a beautiful place if I could not constantly post about it and share my experiences in real time?
Putting my phone down, I took a step out of the house and stepped onto the overgrown grass. Soon, kids with smiles that stretched from each ear to ear raced towards me. Gripping my oversized shirt and long skirt in their hands they inched me closer to the other kids in the village. Sweat beading on my forehead and legs galloping towards the kids, I found myself laughing and screaming with the kids. My heart felt as if it was going to explode from the intense exercise. As I took a break from the running I looked around once more around the small village. I looked at the vibrant colors the metal and wood houses have been painted, contrasting beautifully against the lush mountain background. The sky looked like a painting with its perfect baby blue shade and luscious clouds. Chickens cheerfully strutted across the grass while pigs rolled from one side of the village to the other, eating anything along the way. Everything seemed as if it was through a different lens. I was finally seeing the world not through the lens of a camera but through my own eyes.
Taking a step back and making the decision to turn off my phone is what ultimately allowed me to have such a life- changing experience in Fiji. At the beginning of my trip, I was excited about the life experiences I would gain and how I would be able to share those experiences. Little did I know that my mindset was something that was holding me back from having those experiences and making those memories. The life I had been experiencing through my phone was fun and exciting, but why experience life through a phone when you can go out and actually experience it first hand? Putting the life I had known my whole life in my back pocket and keeping an open mind allowed me to see and experience Fiji in an entirely new way. I found that it would have been impossible for me to share those experiences with others if I was busy trying to make a Snapchat video or perfectly angle the camera to get the perfect picture. The actions I took allowed me to truly experience the exciting culture, teach and play with children as well as bathe in the river along the way. I was able to overcome that feeling of uneasiness and take in all the beauty and experiences the stunning island and people had to offer.
10 September 2018
The cheerful notification of a text message or the annoying screams of an alarm. Today,
electricity has provided us with countless opportunities. It has made communication as easy as tapping a few buttons on a delicate glass screen or shopping without ever needing to leave the comfort of our homes. For years, I have had the luxury of owning a phone; some with what looks like spider webs etched into the glass from all the drops from my back pocket, and some with cases that displayed an array of vibrant colors. With the ever-advancing technology, I never imagined a day where I would experience a day without technology... until the summer of my Junior Year. Out of curiosity and adventurousness, I decided to go on a school trip to the charming country of Fiji. I was told it would be an exhilarating trip full of new memories, beautiful scenery, and amusing volunteer opportunities.
As soon as I landed on the island, I was immediately rushed into an aged, rusty pickup truck. I walked to the back and noticed the truck bed was encased with blue plastic tarps and metal rods to create a makeshift cover in case of rain, with two rows of seating lining either side of the bed. As I flung myself into the truck bed, the truck started growling and grunting and a black puff of smoke erupted into the Fijian air. The truck slowly drifted away from the noisy city and into the isolated mountains. It appeared as if an earthquake was occurring as we felt every petite pebbleor broken branch. I quickly snatched my phone from my overstuffed backpack to capture the exciting car ride and the view of the green ocean of trees.
As soon as we arrived, the locals quickly emerged from their homes to see what group of students have visited this time. Immediately, I looked around and noticed that the life I had become so familiar with did not exist in this small village. This secluded village nestled deep in the mountains consisted of houses arranged in a circular, egg pattern with the chief house in the center. The houses looked somewhat similar to shipping containers cut up into rough rectangles to be used as house walls. Pieces of wood that were mismatched like scattered pieces of a splintered puzzle had been collected as well to create makeshift windows. After I dragged my bag off the truck, I followed my homestay parents to their house. With ecstatic smiles and cheerful embraces, they welcomed me into their home. Hands clammy, and breathing hard I carefully took off my stinky sneakers and placed them neatly outside the door. Inside, simple wood furniture lined the metal walls, hand-woven, checker patterned mats made of dried leaves were stretched across the concrete floors, and children ran barefooted in what seemed like endless circles. My eyes wandered from corner to corner of the small home to familiarize myself with the area. Heart pounding and slowly slugging my way around, I learned that the rooms were divided with carefully draped blankets and thin bed sheets over a tightly wounded rope rather than a thick slab of concrete. As I walked through the house I noticed electrical outlets were non- existent. I immediately went into a frenzy wondering how I was going to manage to charge my phone and portable charger. What did they do with no phones or even a house light? How did they watch movies? An endless array of questions filled my head.
As my nightmare of going without technology became a reality, I found myself in a state of confusion, it felt as if I was walking around in never ending circles, looking for something that didn’t exist. The life I had been living was filled with the convenience and luxury of televisions, phones, and computers. Here, I couldn't even get a phone signal let alone charge the handful of electronics I decided to bring along. As I reluctantly powered my phone off, it felt as if I was being stripped of my personal assistant, the one thing that had made my life so easy for so long. Every morning I would wake to the blaring voice of her, and she would keep me entertained throughout the long day. I often jumped from one application to another, consistently checking my Snapchat or Instagram. It made me feel connected to the world, I could see everything through this small LED glass. It was like I needed electricity to function, to have power and when I had none of it, I was being powered off. A slight breeze tickled my shoulder and a ray of sunshine slowly shimmered its way thorough the window. I peered outside to see the others playing together and enjoying their time. I reluctantly held the power button and watched as my phone disconnect and just sat there quietly holding my dear friend in the palm of my hands. I questioned how exciting would a trip to Fiji be if I would not be able to document it and share it with all my friends. What was the point of going to such a beautiful place if I could not constantly post about it and share my experiences in real time?
Putting my phone down, I took a step out of the house and stepped onto the overgrown grass. Soon, kids with smiles that stretched from each ear to ear raced towards me. Gripping my oversized shirt and long skirt in their hands they inched me closer to the other kids in the village. Sweat beading on my forehead and legs galloping towards the kids, I found myself laughing and screaming with the kids. My heart felt as if it was going to explode from the intense exercise. As I took a break from the running I looked around once more around the small village. I looked at the vibrant colors the metal and wood houses have been painted, contrasting beautifully against the lush mountain background. The sky looked like a painting with its perfect baby blue shade and luscious clouds. Chickens cheerfully strutted across the grass while pigs rolled from one side of the village to the other, eating anything along the way. Everything seemed as if it was through a different lens. I was finally seeing the world not through the lens of a camera but through my own eyes.
Taking a step back and making the decision to turn off my phone is what ultimately allowed me to have such a life- changing experience in Fiji. At the beginning of my trip, I was excited about the life experiences I would gain and how I would be able to share those experiences. Little did I know that my mindset was something that was holding me back from having those experiences and making those memories. The life I had been experiencing through my phone was fun and exciting, but why experience life through a phone when you can go out and actually experience it first hand? Putting the life I had known my whole life in my back pocket and keeping an open mind allowed me to see and experience Fiji in an entirely new way. I found that it would have been impossible for me to share those experiences with others if I was busy trying to make a Snapchat video or perfectly angle the camera to get the perfect picture. The actions I took allowed me to truly experience the exciting culture, teach and play with children as well as bathe in the river along the way. I was able to overcome that feeling of uneasiness and take in all the beauty and experiences the stunning island and people had to offer.
Fiji, 2017: The Inaugural Life Travelers Trip
Members of the c/o '18 & c/o '17 IBDP cohorts
Charlotte Wood (Class of 2018): "As cliche as it sounds, going on this trip to Fiji changed my life. I got to meet people from all over the world, see new cultures, and more personally, I got to learn that there is more to me than test scores, and that happiness isn't just found in educational success. This trip came at a crucial moment in my life, as I am about to start my 13th year in public school, my last as a kid. So many amazing things happened while in Fiji, that I could talk for hours. One of my favorite memories was lying on a hammock in SomoSomo, talking to our group leader Jolame about his family and the history of those in Fiji. It's so different hearing about the history of a place from a person whose family has been there from the beginning, rather than reading about it in a text book. Another memory that I really enjoyed was teaching art to kids at a school, and during recess them all crowding around me to look at my toes, which had small rhinestones on them from my pedicure. They were all so amazed by the shininess of them, something I never even thought about. It really gave me a perspective on my life, and how something that I think is so normal is something they had never seen before. While this was going on, some other girls braided my hair and told me that it was "golden like the sun", and when I told them "Vanaka" or thank you, they told me that I looked like what they always imagined a princess looked like. Little moments like this were the reason that this trip was so meaningful. Hearing this from little girls almost brought tears to my eyes, as I was wearing no makeup and hadn't showered properly in about a week. The sincerity and pureness of them when speaking to me helped me, a teenage girl in the 21st century who let society tell her what she should look like, feel happy with how I looked. There were so many moments like this that taught me so much about myself. If the service work we did in Fiji had 1/4th of an impact on those we served as all of them did on me, than we did our job (and I think we did). Some advice I would give to future travelers is don't expect anything. Don't go in thinking it will be life changing, because there isn't really one moment that is, it is truly the whole trip that changes your life. I would also say enjoy it, and challenge yourself to do new things. To parents reading this and trying to decide whether or not you want to let your children attend, I say this: As teenagers in this society, we hear about what's going on in the world and and how we are lucky, and that is something most truly believe. But seeing is different than believing, and traveling around the world helps you see. I always thought that I needed to do well in high school just to get into college. Then I have to do well in college to get the right job. And once I have the right job, I get to live happily ever after. But what kind of living is that? It's not living, it's being alive. And because of this trip to Fiji, I know the difference. Don't get me wrong, I still want to get straight A's, and I want to get into a good college. But now, I also want to travel and I want to help people. I want to share my knowledge I have been fortunate enough to gain with those who aren't. And I want to learn from people all over the world who have not grown up in the same society as me. I want to be happy. Fiji helped me go from being alive, to truly living. And for that, I am forever grateful."
Jordan Kaneshiro (Class of 2017): "Going into this trip I had no idea how much we were going to be exposed to and more so, how we were going to feel when it was all over. This once in a lifetime trip has given me experiences, and lessons that can't be found in a textbook or online. Staying with our host families in Nasivikoso to playing with the children in Somosomo has been an eye opening and life changing experience for us. It has truly shown me the true meaning of compassion, family, perseverance, and most of all the love for one another."
Leana Vestal (Class of 2017): "I chose to do this rustic pathways trip because I wanted to experience a new culture and understand how other communities around the world function. I also wanted to use the opportunity to help people and see how we're able to contribute to improving different countries. It was most inspiring to see the interactions between the locals because of the love and friendliness they showed each other and us, foreigners. When we arrived everyone we saw smiled and greeted us by saying "bula!" in the local manner rather than what we would have experienced if we stayed in a tourist area. Being a part of the real Fiji was really important and made for many unforgettable memories.
I learned how pure-hearted, thankful, and selfless people can be. The people of Fiji placed a higher value in kindness and cultivating their character, which is something that can be forgotten when we're distracted by the developed world. I learned that Fiji has many different villages which have chiefs, clans, and what some of the conditions are like, such as the nursing that was not very accessible for people in Nasivikoso (and lots of other villages). I also learned about some of their history and cultural practices. For myself, I learned that I want to focus on helping people through my career and try to reach farther places in the world than just our communities. It has made me think more about how I am going to do that and what I really want to do while I am in college that is going to allow me to reach whatever goals I set.
I learned how pure-hearted, thankful, and selfless people can be. The people of Fiji placed a higher value in kindness and cultivating their character, which is something that can be forgotten when we're distracted by the developed world. I learned that Fiji has many different villages which have chiefs, clans, and what some of the conditions are like, such as the nursing that was not very accessible for people in Nasivikoso (and lots of other villages). I also learned about some of their history and cultural practices. For myself, I learned that I want to focus on helping people through my career and try to reach farther places in the world than just our communities. It has made me think more about how I am going to do that and what I really want to do while I am in college that is going to allow me to reach whatever goals I set.
Tabatha Knudson (Class of 2018): Our time in Fiji was beyond memorable. I can’t explain every little amazing event/detail that happened, but I can say that it directly impacted me. Not in the way where I now want to dedicate my entire life to those in Fiji, or where I am donating everything I own down to the bare necessities. It wasn't the one big drastic change that was expected from going on a trip like this. I came back changing the littlest things in my life. I now don’t need my water to be icy cold, I don’t need a hot shower, I don’t need to be on my phone 24 hours a day. It’s not that I’m not thankful for the privilege to have those things, but the trip to Fiji made me realize the beauty of simplicity. To take a step back from the world in little ways, and find peace and love. The Fijian culture was absolutely amazing. In Hawaii, everyone is “family” and we are respectful to our neighbors. In Fiji, everyone acts like they are direct relatives (even to us visitors), everyone has open arms, and everyone has nothing but pure happiness, love and content in their hearts. Everyone, especially complete strangers, say hi to each other every day. They manage to say it in the most loving way too. It is a beautiful thing to experience, and there is no way to describe it.
I think that the most important thing that I took away from this trip was seeing the beauty in the people there. Fijians are the definition of true content. They are happy in every way, loving to everyone, and welcoming to people everywhere. I can’t describe it. They were truly happy, the kind that everyone strives for. I just loved how content they were, even though they didn’t have all the amenities as we do here. They are the level of content and happiness that I hope to reach one day.
I think that the most important thing that I took away from this trip was seeing the beauty in the people there. Fijians are the definition of true content. They are happy in every way, loving to everyone, and welcoming to people everywhere. I can’t describe it. They were truly happy, the kind that everyone strives for. I just loved how content they were, even though they didn’t have all the amenities as we do here. They are the level of content and happiness that I hope to reach one day.
Monica Guirguis (Class of 2018): I had no idea what to expect. Upon arriving to Fiji, we were welcomed with open arms. The locals had hearts of gold. Visiting Fiji has allowed me to grow and opened my perspective on the world. I was introduced to a whole new life style. During this trip I was fully emerged in a different culture including their food, language, and life style. One thing that really stood out to me was that the homes in the village were all built facing each other. They do this so that the families can watch over each other. Everyone in the village works together as a family. Once you enter the village they welcome you with become part of that family. While in Fiji, I broke out in hives. The rustic pathway staff members were well-trained and equipped to treat me. They did everything to ensure that I was not only physically healthy but also emotionally healthy. They made me feel safe and calm. They also worked hard to make sure this did not impact my experience and I was still able to participate in activities. The people of Fiji care about one another and love each other. They treat everyone with respect and care.
If there is one thing I learned in Fiji, it is that I have the ability to make a difference. I have the power to help others. I learned the importance of spreading love. Love can move mountains. This experience changed my life. Instead of sitting at home waiting for the world to change, we went out a searched for issues. We went out and helped people that we didn't know. I think these rustic pathway trips are important because they push you to take a step away from technology and bring you out of you're comfort zone. It widens you're knowledge on the world and opens you're mind the new perspectives.
If there is one thing I learned in Fiji, it is that I have the ability to make a difference. I have the power to help others. I learned the importance of spreading love. Love can move mountains. This experience changed my life. Instead of sitting at home waiting for the world to change, we went out a searched for issues. We went out and helped people that we didn't know. I think these rustic pathway trips are important because they push you to take a step away from technology and bring you out of you're comfort zone. It widens you're knowledge on the world and opens you're mind the new perspectives.
Vanessa Kwong (Class of 2018): Bula! My name is Vanessa Kwong and I am one of the students who had the life-changing opportunity to travel to Fiji this summer. There, I was able to experience things I would have never thought I would be able to in my lifetime. Throughout my 2 week stay in Fiji, I was able to experience life in two completely different villages; one being deep in the mountains and the other being right on the beach. I was able to bond with the local chiefs and the families that inhabited these communities. Being able to live in these families' homes has opened up my eyes on how friendly and inviting these people were. It was an amazing experience to be welcomed and to be able to see what their family enjoyed to do during their free time compared to mine. I was also exposed to their wonderful Fijian culture, which included singing, playing traditional games, participating in ceremonies and busting a dance move. Additionally, on this trip I was able to also participate in multiple service projects. We got to teach kids about colors, build a sidewalk, paint a new school sign, build fish houses and even remove some Crown of Thorns! Being in a different part of the world and seeing how we, being a small group of students from Hawaii can help them improve their communities. For example, one of the service projects we had was repainting a school sign for Gaunavou Primary School. About a year and a half ago, they had experienced a typhoon that had destroyed their school and community. Helping them repaint a school sign didn't just help the look of the school, but it also helped the locals see that they could recover from the disaster and every little thing helps. Students should definitely participate in service project trips because you are able to not just help the earth and the environment, but you are changing people's lives. These were just some of the life changing experiences I have had in Fiji. I have learned to be more thankful for what I have because not everyone in the world has the luxury of having a cell phone or even having electricity. It has shown me to take that one leap of faith and go into the world and experience something totally new and outside of your comfort zone. So I encourage you to take that one leap of faith and take this opportunity and see where in the world you'll end up.
John Isaac Fuchigami (Class of 2018): I will never forget Fiji. More specifically Fiji music and its social context within its community. When we went to the highlands village, Nasivikoso, I was afraid that I wouldn't be able to do many musical things with the community. But, to my complete astonishment, I found out that they actually love music there. It's something passed down through the generations. Whenever we would play music together I felt as though I were at home. Lesu mai, Fiji!