How to Embrace A Fijian House Invitation

I met a wonderful Fijian woman while I was in Fiji on my way to scuba dive Kadavu Island.
"Welcome home" is a phrase you will hear someone say to you when you arrive. I wasn't sure that I would like Fiji when I arrived. Instead, I love Fiji. Its people, laughter and some of its 3rd world practices made me laugh and get frustrated. But remember, "You are on Fiji time!" For example, Taxi cabs don't use credit card since they think they can be ripped off by the govt if they use them. Secondly, in the City of Nadi, its really difficult to find a street sign or be able to use an app for driving or walking Fiji. Thirdly, since I'm a single guy, there are no online dating apps. The women of Fiji date within their Village Tribe. Each Tribe has a Chief. There are hundreds of Tribes. For example, on Kadavu, there are 78 village tribes. My scuba dive instructor did meet his wife on Facebook which we laughed and so did he. It was off grid but part of the influence of social media upon the villages. The villages of Kadavu are stuck in about the year 1885 due to lack of resources but they are very happy. The men work the farms while the women shore fish for smaller fish. Their evenings are about the same. They talk, socialize, drink a few cups of relaxing Kava and go to bed. Repeat tomorrow. The village next to Matava has 3 TVs and I was told the average school education is 8th grade but every Fijian I met was very intelligent so this may just be for the only some villages of Kadavu. Fourthly, there are no guns in Fiji. They use sticks to settle a dispute but disputes are rare. I interviewed a police officer at the Nadi International Airport. Another example is if you travel to Fiji and bring a small amount of marijuana, let's say a thumbs amount then please be ready to spend 3 months in a Fiji prison. A blunt will land you in jails well. Marijuana is illegal because the government protects it's people against drug abuse. I support the idea. Also, don't bring alcohol as a gift to a village. You will be arrested if a villager calls you in and they will. You can bring tobacco but be calm about announcing it. Chill out on presenting it. Many Fijians don't use tobacco. I gifted a few Fijians tobacco and it wasn't really met with excitement so I kept my cigars to myself. They really are a simple, easy laid back, " Don't worry, be Happy" people. This phrase is well known and repeated in Fiji. When I arrived in Fiji...the song with those words was playing on the International Fiji overhead speakers. It's a very popular Fijian song still after its release so many years ago.

So back to this Fiji home experience. I was told that "I am now family" to this home. Many times they told me this. I really am and it feels great since my American family is detached due to parental greed and the mis-appropriation of anger. There wasn't a lot of joy with my American family. I found great joy with my new Fijian family. I asked a few Fijians if they had a temper and they just stared at me. They stared at me bewildered and smiled. They had no idea why I asked them that. The concept was off grid from their joyful content lifestyle. One Fijian woman asked me "Why do so many Americans try and kill themselves??" I told her for many reasons but mainly because increased wealth can increase depression, social media stress of "keeping up", the over-prescription of opiates, poor parenting, the inability to compare with other American's materialism, excessive rent and huge credit card debt.

I was invited into this Nadi, Fiji home and treated like royalty with honor and respect. Every Fijian that I met has a huge smile, laughter and seems very content. Fijians work very hard, get up early, work multiple jobs and are a strong people in order to exist. It is not easy living the life of a Fijian and through the difficulties they rely on their Faith, mainly Methodist, family and fortitude.. the three FFF's. The natural happiness that is found in this home should be admired and respected. I love Fiji and it's people, nature and beauty!