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Bula!
Our final night spent in Togovere village was full of colorful matching bula shirts and dresses, flower garlands, a feast of 18 different dishes, and late night kava drinking with breaks for singing and dancing. We all felt so much love and gratitude extended to us from every member of the village and we certainly gave them our appreciation in return. The next morning after our last breakfast together in the community hall, we went home to pack our bags and say our final goodbyes to the members of our family who so graciously opened their hearts and their homes to us over the past two weeks. We got decked out in our flower garlands once again and tucked away various necklaces, dresses and woven fans that our families gifted us, and then it was time to line up at the bus stop. More handshakes, hugs, and words of gratitude were exchanged as members of the village went down the line and said goodbye to us. It wasn’t until our group broke out of our line formation that we realized we all had tears in our eyes. The full impact of just how strong of bonds we all had formed with the people of Togovere village hit us in that moment. Our time in Togovere was definitely an experience we will all hold so close to our hearts for years to come.
Although our village stay has come to an end, we are excited for our last couple days in Fiji which will be spent on the island of Kia relaxing and reflecting on all our adventures leading up to now!
-Diana Evans and Inga Bodtker