BULA!

FIJIME!
June 25th, 2010

After opening my journal tonight I couldn't wipe this grin off my face. Just sitting at the backpackers in Nadi (prounounced Non-dee) in Fiji I think back to when I left Minnesota. I have gotten to do SO many amazing things since February and I am truly blessed. I can't be sad that this journey has come to an end because it's only one of many. No, I may never get to take five months out of my life just to hang out in a different country but I can appreciate every moment that I had there.

It felt really strange to leave Auckland yesterday. I have no idea when I will come back. All I know is that I HAVE to come back. Mallory helped me bring my bags and stood by the bus stop with me. We were planning to see eachother in LA (we didn't...) I wasn't as emotional as I thought I would be. I think I was numb to the fact that I was REALLY leaving. I had all my bags packed and WAS leaving, but it didn't feel like it. I stared out the window all the way to the airport trying to create one last picture of New Zealand in my mind. I teared up a little bit, but held it back. I knew that if Mallory and I would have said goodbye like for real I would have bursted out in tears. (Sorry to be so depressing!!) I don't know if it will truly hit me at some point, but right now I feel pur joy. This experience has helped me grow. Everyone grows at different rates...which is something to remember. For me, I accepted this along my trip. I could really focus on me. Favorite part of New Zealand? Don't have one. THE WHOLE NINE YARDS! I LOVE YOU, NEW ZEALAND!

Bula Fiji!
Welcome to Fiji! I got off the plane and felt heat that I hadn't experienced in quite some time. It's Fiji's winter so I didn't know how hot it was be, but it was HOT! Coming from Auckland I felt like I was experiencing hot flashes. No way...it couldn't be menopause! I am only 21! It was just Fiji. Whew ;) What a beautiful little island Fiji is. I get to Horizon Beach Backpackers, check in, bring my bags upstairs, and head toward the ocean. The beach was very charming. I asked the bartender what their funnest, most colorful drink was, and ordered it. I took my faboulous drink and found a spot on the beach, just listening to the ocean and sipping on a refreshing alcoholic beverage. I was pretty much the only one on the beach at this point...or so I thought. Suddenly, I see something in the sand move. A FROG! They have frogs here...not sure if they did in NZ. If they did I never saw them. I was so startled I started laughing. It crossed my mind that I didn't know what kind of creatures they have in Fiji. They also have GECOS! There was one in my room. I immidiately thought of The Parent Trap when Hali and Annie put one on Meredith Blake's evion bottle! I know, really Haylee? You would think of a movie! I usually get grossed out by little creatures back home, but here it's just the norm. We do everything to keep pests away when in reality they're probably trying to do the same. How did I get on this topic? Ok. Mom, you know more than anyone how random my mind can be...waking up in the middle of the night, waking you up to tell you unimportant information, getting off topic, and just being weird.

I cannot believe that I'm in Fiji though. Like really?! Some people only dream of coming to a place like this and I'm HERE! Now I'm most certainly not trying to make people jealous by being here or rubbing it in, but rather to awknowlege the fact that I know I'm lucky and to not take it for granted.

Right now I'm sitting at a table outside of Smuggler's Cove waiting for my salad and drinking a coca cola zero. Although I'm alone on this trip, I don't feel alone. There are so many other people doing the same thing and traveling by themselves. It's so fascinating talking to them. I'm not afraid of meeting people and making new friends. I may never get the chance to do this again and I wouldn't want to travel alone all the time, but it's a good experience nonetheless. You ever get the opportunity to travel by yourself for a weekend and just have "you time," DO IT! It's very freeing. Last night was my first night here and I had no plans, just wanted to relax. There were three guys sitting at a table and they said "Bula" to me which is not uncommon. I don't know how many times I've heard that here already! They asked me to come join and we got to talking. Apparently they are in the Fijian rugby team. We went out to Ed's Bar and danced!

June 26th, 2010
Today I was walking along the beach and a few guys were playing ball. This dark guy named Dan appproaches me and we start chatting. He eventually invites me to come to the church picnic they are having just down the beach. I was thrilled! "Really?" I said. "I'd love to!" I go over there and meet some people, play soccer, and hang out. I tried lamb and casava. Casava is their version of potatoes. Such good food! Everyone was so kind to me, too. So far...I'm lovin Fiji :)