Have we lost "Simple"??

The simpleness of some people’s lives in the islands challenges me often.

As I go through he markets I see stall holders sitting in front of piles of chillies. About a cupful to each pile. I yarn with them and realise they come from up country and only get to the market once or twice a fortnight. Each pile is sold for $2 and there was about 10 piles in front of them. How long it must take to pick these and then at least an hour by bus and sitting all day in the hope to turn a very small dollar.

I walk past another vendor, a lovely looking old lady with wise eyes and leathery skin, quite at home sitting cross legged on the ground. She was trimming cassava and as her blade dulled she would turn around and swipe it expertly across the concrete to regain its edge.

Deeper into the market and there is a lovely aroma of spices. Buckets or sacks of colourful powders with vendors expertly measuring or mixing as their customers requested. Weird and wonderful shaped vegetables get picked through critically by the Indian woman. They know what they want, what is good or bad.

I can’t resist myself and I wander over and ask what they are going to do with this weird looking thing. I open up a lovely discussion in broken English between vendor and purchaser in how each prefers to cook the vegetable. Pretty much everything is curried which has given me a new appreciation of what can be eaten. Food does not need to be expensive if one knows how to flavour it.

Then of course the root crops that grow in abundance and are certainly a great filler and don’t need anything fancy done to them. Coconut has to be my most favourite of all things. It is called the Tree of Life in the islands and I can certainly see why. Nothing like eating the flesh that’s been in the fridge on a hot day or drinking the fresh milk from a green nut.

The average hourly rate here is $2.50 -$3.00 and yet these people have to shop in the supermarket where prices are the same in NZ or Aus. No wonder the markets are always busy and in preference things are made from scratch. No convenience buying here...no deli foods or heat and eats.

Being invited to dine with local families is always a delight. No modern appliances, an open fire and kerosene stove are used with the expertise that comes with years of use. The food is amazing as we sit cross legged around a carefully laid cloth on the floor. Everyone from the cheeky pre-schoolers to grandma sharing good food and lots of laughter. It’s certainly a challenge to our western legs but totally worth it.

What is LHR doing in this time of us being in Fiji??

We have not been idle in our time here. Our contacts are people whom we have either known from our past time here or wonderful new trust worthy friends. Initially when cyclone Winston hit Rob was able to get food and tarps out 2 days later and it was fantastic.

However we have seen a huge amount of money come through various Govt and Aid agencies. We feel it is important to really know exactly where our dollar goes and we do not want to end up doubling up by giving to someone who is already going to receive help from other more financial organisations.

So we are choosing to sit quietly and give as we feel it is right. One such situation was a wheelbarrow to a family who relies on their small block of land for income. They run a stall at the main road which is a long walk from their house. Their wheelbarrow had died years ago and they would make several trips to get the produce to the stall for the day. A wheel barrow was on their wish list. We found this out without them knowing and one day turned up with one. The tears of joy and appreciation was very humbling.

Ted got to be the first to ride in it!

LHR in Vanuatu?

Our commitment for Vanuatu has not changed. We still wish to build our lovely friend Aima a new home but due to me no longer living in NZ my ability to raise funds has pretty much ground to a halt. We have $5,000 nzd towards this project but need at least another $20,000 more. If anyone has any ideas or know of any possible funding agencies I can apply to for this I would love to hear from you.

Meanwhile Robs job with ReForest Fiji continues to provide him with lots of challenges as well as opportunities to learn more about trees and crops to help the pacific islands. While I am not working I do have several projects I am working on and also enjoy the challenge of living according to what Fiji has to offer and not pine for "things of home". We have however just had a lovely time of visiting family who did manage to restock important things like Marmite for Rob and we enjoyed some NZ cheese for a season.

Thank you for following our journey - we do consider it a privilege to be where we are and intend on making the most of it.

Rob, Lisa and Ted of course!