In Fiji, as in any other foreign country, one needs to give pause and carefully consider how the English language is used. In France, for instance, a coffee is not a coffee as defined at home. It's an espresso, tiny and powerful, delicious in its own way but certainly nothing like a beloved Dunkin Donuts (with milk and Splenda). In Mexico, in a different type of mis-definition, an "ocean-view suite" might in fact be a dark, dank basement-like apartment that, when one positions oneself in just the right way in just the right corner near the foot of the bed -- a tiny sliver of crashing wave can be spotted.In Fiji, over the last three weeks, Bryan and I have learned which English words to be wary of; which ones may be given to loose definition and dubious application. Behold, 10 to watch:
1. "Resort"
2. "Cruise"
3. "Fifteen" (as in, oh yes, that's only fifteen minutes by foot)
4. "Soon"
5. "Taxi"
6. "Milk" (it's all powdered here)
7. "Supermarket"
8. "Salad" (when served with a sandwich, "salad" will often be a few shreds of carrot in mayonnaise)
9. "Easy" (most commonly used in cohoots with "hike" or "trek")
10. "Fan-cooled"
Not that I don't find this all endearing and entertaining -- it's all part of the traveler's learning curve. I'm just sayin', it helps to leave your dictionary at home and your mind open, to, um, interpretation.
Right now we're at an odd Internet spot in Nadi, home of Fiji's international airport, awaiting tomorrow's arrival of one Ms. Moylan and one Mr. Buono. We couldn't be more excited to be joined by friends... It does sort of feel like we've been gone forever already. It's finally sunny again (thus, of course, we're inside on the Internet! Naturally!) and I think we'll have good weather for the boat trip to the Yasawa Islands tomorrow. There are many more stories to relate -- I wonder, are we posting too much? Not enough? Are you sick of hearing about Fiji and its loosely defined words?
We may be out of touch for a few days as we enjoy our time with the Moylan/Buonos. Much love to everyone back home and HEY who did the Bachelor pick, anyway?! ..........
8 Comments:
I look forward to your postings and reading all about your adventures. Final Bachelor is tonight. I'll let you know who he chooses. Have fun and I agree that it does seem like you've been gone a long time.
i'm so very pleased to hear that nothing has changed about the beloved shut-in.
I don't want to give too much away about the Dancing With the Stars championship, but lets just say that a certain member of Bryan's family has a new accessory in his living room!
My Tivo failed me, but after a few phone calls, I wasn't surprised to find out that Travis picked Sarah -the girl from Nashville.
is it wrong for me to be reading your blog on fiji using the same slow fijian internet connection you used to write it? :)
Hello. I found your blog via a chain reaction of clicks sparked by your Howard Stern pix on flickr. These travel journals provide a good source of tips & bittersweet entertainment. Thanks for sharing and keep up the open-minded attitude! ~*~Felicia~*~
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Ciao!
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See you.
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