Bula! Greetings from Fiji.
It was a little while ago, but October 10th was Fiji's Independence Day, "Fiji Day."
People dressed in blue clothes, celebrating this important day. On this Fiji Day, something happened this year that made me instinctively think, "That's Fiji for you!"
A Monday holiday decided the day before
This year, October 10th was a Saturday. I had heard that there would be no substitute holiday this time, so I planned to spend the weekdays as usual.
However, on the day before, October 9th, around noon.
An announcement came from the government that Monday, October 12th, would be a substitute holiday. Because Independence Day is an important day for us.
"What, Monday is going to be a holiday? Starting now?"
For a while, I had also heard voices around me saying, "There's no holiday this year." I never expected it to change the day before.
This is my second year living in Fiji. Perhaps because I have gradually gotten used to these sudden changes, this time I felt "That's Fiji for you" more than surprise.
Even if plans change, "Oh, okay"
By that evening, the school also contacted me saying, "Monday is a holiday."
Actually, I had made a reservation for that Monday, planning to get it done while my child was at school. If school is closed, I have to change my plans too.
When I contacted the reservation place to cancel, the response was a casual, "That's right, another day then!" They accepted it smoothly.
From the perspective of when I lived in Japan, if a weekday suddenly became a holiday, I would probably think about various things like, "What about work? School? Reservations?"
Of course, adjustments to plans are necessary here too.
When plans change, you go along with them.
This incident also seemed to reflect the easygoingness I have felt while living on this island.
From a blue celebration to a relaxed year-end mode
On Fiji Day, everyone was celebrating in blue clothes.
And after this day passes, I feel the atmosphere of Fiji gradually moving toward the end of the year.
To Diwali, and then Christmas.
As someone in their second year of living here, I feel that around this time, the usual relaxed atmosphere is further added to by holiday mode.
Even in January after the New Year, there are manufacturers that have continuous holidays, so when making work plans, you need to keep that pace in mind.
I have heard that "Many people take their remaining paid leave during this time," but that might not be the only reason.
Anyway, living here makes me feel that there is a seasonal rhythm that cannot be understood just by the calendar.
Becoming able to think "That's Fiji for you"
A suddenly decided holiday, and the people around me who accept it smoothly.
I still feel bewildered when things don't go as planned. But this time, I was also slightly made aware of myself accepting such an event as "That's Fiji for you."
Perhaps the pace of this island is gradually becoming familiar to me too.
Watching people celebrate Independence Day in blue clothes, this year's Fiji Day was another occasion where I felt the gentleness of Fiji.
Well then, I will write to you again from Fiji.
Leave a comment