8:33pm Fiji Time
This morning I packed my bags once again and Api and I headed off to the ministry of education to get my teaching license, however when we arrived there was bad news. It turns out that the form I had filled out was wrong and I needed all kinds of things that would take time to get like police clearing and a letter from the US embassy. It was a huge disappointment that I wouldn't be able to get my license and even though Api and I went back and forth between the FTRA and the Ministry, we couldn't get my license. I was really anxious throughout the whole process, it was a lot of hope and then disappointment as we got help from Api's cousins and then ran in to more walls. When it was clear a teaching license was not possible today, I was pretty devastated at this point and feeling like my trip was ruined. My heart was racing with panic, but I stopped, took a breath and asked Api what we could do instead. We came up with a new plan that didn't involve a teaching license. Instead of teaching in the school, I would set up a tutoring session after school in the village hall, Api was excited to help me come up with lesson plans and more ideas. I was feeling better and not so upset and disappointed after Api and I discussed the details of lur new plan. i felt incredibly grateful to have a friend like Api who was so willing to help me feel better. I went from having thoughts of just going back home and forgetting the whole trip to feeling excited about going to the village and teaching in the village hall with Api. It was a rough morning, but it wasn't over yet. I still needed to get to Nadi for the night, even more nerves rushed through me for the second time that day as I thought about getting on the bus by myself. The bus system in Suva is a new language in itself and I had done my best to pay attention to how it worked while Api showed me the day before, but it was still nerve racking not being sure of what was going on. the language barrier has been very difficult to deal with, it's a strange feeling not knowing what's going on especially when the situation concerns you. I have a new level of respect for immigrants who come to new places and struggle to learn the language. Anyways, I got on the bus in the Suva busport and found a seat in the very front. I enjoyed the design of the bus because I had a really clear view of the road ahead and I also noticed the bus driver making hand signals at other drivers, I tried to find a pattern in it, but his actions seemed to only make sense to the other drivers. As we drove along the coast, I saw villages made up of brightly colored houses and churches made in all sorts of designs, I Noticed that the closer were to the beach, the higher up the houses got, I assume for flood protection. When we got to the airport, I was relieved to get my luggage from the bus and from storage at the airport. I successfully mailed myself a cab and finally made it to my hotel. the drive from the airport to my hotel was filled with nostalgia from my first trip to Fiji, we drove past the hotel I had stayed in and the restaraunts I ate at with my old friends from the GLA. I was feeling good when we arrived at my hotel, I checked in and was shown to my room. I am staying in 15-bed dormitory that is full of other travellers. It's a very different kind of hotel, but I like the setup since I'm here by myself, I was getting really hot and tired after my long day so I decided to take a walk along the beach and then have a cold shower. As I walked along the beach for the first time since I got to Fiji, I got to see a beautiful sunset. The resort was full of laughter as the locals and the travellers played rugby and volleyball on the beach. I found my way to a group of locals playing music and enjoying some kava (a traditional fijian beverage made from the kava fruit). I had a good time dancing and chatting with the group of people about past adventures and what had brought them to Fiji. I ordered pineapple and fries from the cafe and ate while i read by the pool, it was a relaxing end to an anxiety filled and exhausting day. Tomorrow I have no set plans, but I'm thinking about going in to town to shop and explore Nadi.