(This project is based on my experiences in a written paragraph that I eventually turned into a SWAY presentation)

Visiting an underdeveloped country for the first time is a life-changing experience, to say the least. It puts life into a different perspective, that not everyone on this beautiful Earth that we live on has the same privileges that we do as citizens of a first world country. Yet, they all manage to be extremely happy with the lives that they live which is heart warming to witness. I entered Fiji in August of 2015 with my sister, my mom, and my sister’s friend, Sarah, not necessarily for vacationing, but more for visiting family that I haven’t had the chance to meet. Right from stepping off the big plane I noticed the thick smell of rich camp fire lingering in the air. It wasn’t a bothersome smell, but it was enough to notice it when you took a big, deep breath in. The airport was small and crowded after having a plane just land, but it was open. We went outside at the first hour of sunshine and dust filled the streets because the roads weren’t roads, it was gravel with tiny rocks flying in the air as big trucks drove over them. The hotel was just an ordinary hotel with three single beds and one king size bed. My sister, her friend, and I made our way down to the pool at 9am and by then the sun was fully up and was shining through the white, fluffy, but sparse clouds and heating up the air surrounding us. Later that day, we took a taxi to get some food, but the car ride was uncomfortable. The potholes made us jump high out of our seats and the dust from the road made us cough, but eventually we got some food. It was delicious, flavourful, and more importantly, spicy. When I took the first bite of the lamb curry my mouth exploded with flavours. The mix of earthy, savoury spice, and the tanginess of the sweet spices all came together in the meal and wept my family all off our feet.   The next day, my uncle picked us up from Nadi, Fiji and together took a road trip to the town he lives in called Suva. The trip was eye-opening. During the journey, we passed through small villages that didn’t have proper housing other than little cottages and there were small children attempting to sell deliciously, juicy-looking fruits on the side of the road. Whenever someone would pull over for them, their eyes would light up like the sun lighting up the sky after a dark day. But even after the customers left they seemed happy, playing around the village together kicking a small, beat up soccer ball they had and laughing with each other when someone took a small fall. Their village may be small, but everyone there laughs harder and more genuine than I’ve ever seen anyone laugh back at home. The hotel we stayed at was beautiful. We walked into the building during the early evening and the whole back area was free of walls and all you could see was the shining sun sinking down behind the vast sea. The water was twinkling in the sunset and in the distance small islands stood covered in thick, bright green trees swaying in the evening wind. It was a nice, cooling breeze that swept over Suva from the sea and gave us all slight goosebumps. The distinct smell of camp fire became more patent as the night went. To some it might choke, but I personally love the smell. The next day we went to my uncle’s place for breakfast. His house was small, but had character with the light blue walls and the white kitchen cabinets that had cared-for designs on them. The best thing about the breakfast, by far, was the fruit. The oranges were bright orange and perfectly circular, ready to be cut into. The taste was so sweet and citrusy as I bit into it, with the juice slipping out of my mouth and down my chin. We made our way over to my grandparents’ house after the delicious breakfast. There was something about the house that made me feel happy. My grandparents spent most of their time outside on their large front deck that held a single bed and a couch with a table. The inside had an open living room with the kitchen which smelled of earthy spices being cooked into something great. All along the walls were pictures of my mom’s family including one picture from twenty years ago, with my mom and my grandma. What I love most about the picture is my mom’s envious long, curly hair and their smiles are so wide, bright and full of happiness. Another picture they have on their wall is my mom and dads wedding photo both of whom look extremely prestigious. Out of all houses that I visited during my time in Fiji, theirs was my favourite not that they had the biggest house, but because it was a house full of love. For the rest of the day my two cousins, my sister, Sarah, and I went into the city. The city was completely different than what I have yet seen in Fiji. It was busy, but filled with many homeless harassing people for any money that they can get their hands on. It was heartbreaking to witness, but nothing different than what we see in Vancouver. The air was a lot thicker and harder to breathe in the city because of the cars’ exhaust. Loud sounds of people hustling to get to point B, buses helping people across town, and many pushing the homeless away filled the thin streets. We spent the day in the crowded streets of Suva and in the night made our way to the sea. We took a late-night stroll along the wall with the bright moonlight reflecting off it. Along the wall were a series of playgrounds and it was filled with little kids running around, laughing, having a good time.

After a week and a bit in Suva, we took a short plane ride over to another island off the main island of Fiji. This island had big number of farms that it has. The drive to my aunt’s house was scenic with the ripe colours of green filling my vision. Sugarcane trees standing tall as can be and animals such as noisy roosters and chickens roaming carelessly around the flat farmland that seemed to go on forever. Big, luscious, gradual mountains met the land on the horizon engulfed in different shades of green. Tiny houses interrupted the farmland time and time again. My uncle showed us around his farm and cut down a piece of sugarcane from a large plant and gave each of us kids one. The sweetness filled my mouth like rivers fill the sea. Eventually, the bark became starchy and inedible and so I took the rest to my mom who was catching up with her sister. I watched her take a bite and saw her face light up like she knew she was home. My mom took us to the house she grew up in and seeing how small the house was that had to take care of my mom, her three other siblings, and her parents was surprising. My mom came from a house so small and so much responsibility and she’s here today achieving her best dreams. All these privileges that we take for granted aren’t what matter and aren’t going to matter when we are older. It’s the responsibility that we take to become independent that will benefit our future. Going to Fiji was a huge eye-opening, life changing experience. Goodbyes were heart breaking and full of tears, but other than meeting my amazing family, this trip showed me that we don’t need wifi and technology and a lot of money to be happy. Having good friends and a loving family is all you need to have a happy life.