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| Smile some more Fiji:Maesulia. |
When the recent economic recess griped the entire world with alarm bells, Fiji found no way through the exit as everyone else and had to braze itself with the naked reality. Among other concerns, the 12% devaluation of the Fijian dollar took many by storm with well-known complains of rocketing prices in shops and markets. I rightly had this perception when I first came here in 2008 that things are way too developed over here compared to the easy and laid back life we have in the Solomon Islands and so I wasn’t at all at ease to swallow what I heard of the struggling life here.
When I stepped out of my first flight at Nadi International Airport, I was succumbed to the idea of keeping a tied lip about the range of new things I was about to discover then, let alone my eyes and mind to take stock of what would be new for me then that I must sway myself to know and get used to.
I was silently amused even when making my way to the arrivals’ section for some of the things I have only come to see and know of from movies came live to me then. And so the journey to Suva was an exciting 30 minutes flight through Nausori which added such an adventurous story to my first ever experience here.
A peaceful evening walk along Suva’s famous sea wall is as rewarding as any stress buster you may think of that is needed to unwind one from a hard day at work. Despite its close proximity to the noisy traffic of roaring vehicles, a sight of a colorful sunset over the peaceful Suva harbor overwhelms all that heft bringing me close to my rural life where tranquility is so absorbed in the nature around that peace is the closest feeling to come by.
And with strings I had gotten from the affection I received from people’s hospitality, I was driven to tie a knot between the beautiful local scenery and hospitality, arriving at a realization that Fiji is an exciting place for a first year medical student to kick off his studies.
Stationed on a hill top, the Fiji School of Medicine to some extent is a smaller version of USP consisting of students from all over the Pacific. I had my real experience with local students there from which I later went on to explore more.
I had a hard time fitting in at first because the way of life here to me is on a different bar from ours.
My biggest struggle at first was trying to get in the flow with everyone else. While English remained a barrier for me then communication wise, I found a lot of finger-biting moments going on being around my foreign friends because I hate being portrayed differently when we’re out having a pizza or to see the latest movie.
Thank God, the environment was so conducive that I found a quick come back during the next few months which I did comfortably.
When I want a fast ride downtown, cabs are accessible just minutes from my hostel but when the ego of going at my own pace overwhelms my student mind, I shout to myself, “what the heck!” and enjoy a slow ride on a typical Suva bus to get glossaries from MHCC supermarket.
The luxury of shopping is an activity I think shoppers would die for in Suva. Although I’m not a stylish shopper, I found a lot of well stocked shops here that anyone with the money can attain a good value for his bucks. I however, had a terrific time even when sticking with the low-standard shops for clothes and food.
You would be surprised to discover that the many amenities you people are having here at ease is a comfort most of us back home only had through so much sweat.
And if you ever get to Honiara, our capital city, you’d be surprised to realize that electricity doesn’t get anywhere further from the bounds of the International airport, which is just about 20 minutes ride from the town center.
Life in the Solomons is simple yet challenging. Without the luxury of road facilities, power and other modern amenities, 80% of the population lives in the rural areas and thrives on their skills to fish and farm to keep their heads above the water. Difficult life in some areas like my highland village, which to this day is yet to be accessed by road facility, is as hard as getting stuffs from shops in town over the shoulder up the stiff hills through thick rain forests. And with an ailing economy, a 20kg bag of rice is around $200 plus.
If a rural Solomon Islander can find peace enjoying the comfort of a traditionally thatched house after a hectic day in the farm, you people should be happier for some of the effort we put into all these to you is replaced with technology. If we can come away with a smile at the end of the day having gone through the flame of mind boggling inflation, you people should be steady and accept the little changes on the ground.
That’s why Fiji should smile because challenge here is still comfort in some areas.
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