RTW: Exchange in Chile

How about Fiji?

Ok, I will try to post a few words of Fiji as weel, hopefully it works... So, arriving here the "Don't worry, you're on Fiji time now" -attitude met me at the airport in the form of four dudes playing guitars singing Pacific style tunes screaming Bula! to everyone (hello!). The hostel is great, the greatest I have ever seen for 4,50 euros, beating both Sydney and Auckland hostels by a mile though they had triple price. We have a pool, cheap restaurant and bar, lockers, beach, etc.

Coming to town (I thought the hostel was in town and did not make use of the first chance to get money from an ATM) took its time and toll. I walked 8 kilometers in over 40 degrees to become haunted by all sellers of any imaginable good. Eventually I folded and went with one to his store, but it was not as terrible as I thought. He introduced me and some other foreigners to Fiji culture and we drank the kava, a traditional drink made of the root of the kava plant. Tasted like some bad herbal liqueurs, and it is actually sold as and alcoholic version in the airport. But, after all his trouble I just could not leave the store without a purchase. So now I have a lucky charm (nay to anyone naughty and Irish at this point) which is a shark tooth necklace.. Actually it was for luck as seeing it around my neck cut the number of eager salesmen to half.


I think I must stop this now as the internet cafe is overrun by fanatic rugby fans. If I thought New Zealanders were crazy with rugby, then Fiji people are lunatics! There was a major tournament going on until yesterday and Fiji won the finals (after beating the famous NZ All Blacks in semifinals) and the noise and participation of the crowd was incredible. Now they are just watching replays.. Everyone from kids to elderly are into the game here. I must say, the game itself is somewhat more interesting than American football as there are not so many pauses. It also showes the Fijians as they are: very open and immediate and easy going. And talk about their hospitability, how many of you readers no matter where you are from would take a total stranger to your store and explain for over an hour your nation's ways with no guarantee of sales? That is what kind of people the Fijians are.

Oh, and before I forget, the Bic Mac index showed a 4,45 for the burger (2 euros) and 6,85 for the meal (3,1 euros). Price levels are ok, but still not even near thai prices...

posted by Kassu @ 9:34 PM