Hello all!
Well let me first say that I am so glad to have found time to sit down and etch out a few of the things I've done the last week! I started off this entire excursion with roughly 17 hours of flying and 7 hours in airports. I lucked out and was able to see my college friend, Meshri, at the Minneapolis airport before I left. It felt great to see him again before I left for the several months I will be gone.
On the flight to California I had the incredible fortune of sitting next to Gloria from Texas and her 2 year old granddaughter Catherine, who had copious amounts of hair for a girl her age. The flight with these two was filled with energy along with a book, Love You Forever, that I had just read to my own 18 month nephew, Brayden. This book ought to be a requirement for all parents. It was also good to talk to Gloria, after Catherine rather abruptly collapsed into a deep imperturbable sleep, and receive support from her about the long adventure I have ahead of me.
California to Fiji was a quite lengthy flight, but I was able to meet the 3 amigos joining me from the States in Massey University at Palmerston North. They are: Caitlin from Massachusetts, Kristen from Kentucky, and Travis from Texas (Too bad Caitlin was Morgan or something for even another alliteration). Quite a range of personality and characters between all of us and I look forward to the many days that will be spent with this crew!
After the 10.5 hour flight to Fiji we arrived at the airport with several natives singing songs that invoked the word 'Bula' (a Fijian greeting) with great abundance. It was very early in the morning when we arrived there so we were just able to see the bold and blossoming colors that the new day's sun revealed. At last I had made it to the paradise referred to so frequently by people back home, YES! Thanks for reading, when I have time and strength I will post about the days in Fiji!!!
