I started 2016 off with family, Fiji, and turning a year
older. I flew into Fiji the night before my dad, Debbie, and Emily arrived.
Waking up at 4am the following day to go and retrieve them from the
airport. That first day together
was full of random hugging, tropical drinks at the beach, and pure happiness.
Being in Fiji was full of relaxation. Emily and I got pedicures. My dad and I
spent a morning in town and ate some native Indian food. Debbie and I spent
hours having girl talk. The best part
of Fiji was doing nothing. It was relaxation, yummy food, and quality time with
my family.
After five days of bliss we packed up our belongings and we
began our travel to my island, ‘Eua. Our first night in Tonga I got the
opportunity to introduce my Tongan family to my American Family. It was so
special for 3 women who all consider me a daughter to get to meet and be
together. I think it was so reassuring to my dad to finally meet the people who
cared for me when I first arrived to Tonga. They kept telling my dad, Debbie,
and Emily how I am their princess and they treated me like a princess when I
lived with them. It was so sweet to be all together.
The next day we boarded the world’s shortest commercial
flight on a 17passenger plane to ‘Eua. Eight minutes later we were finally home. We were greeted at the airport by
Sammy who came bearing flower leis. Meleongo’s family welcomed my family with a
Tongan lunch and some fakamalos (speeches). It was exciting to explain to them
what all the different foods were and to see which ones they liked and others
they weren’t so sure about. It was funny because there were so many things that
I didn’t like when I first came too, but now love and eat on a regular basis.
They were all so surprised to see how much raw fish I was eating and maybe even
more surprised how much they liked it.
We went on a couple of hikes and did a lot of exploring to
caves, cliffs, and beaches. Had a pig roast. Went to church in matching
traditional Tongan clothing. They got to meet the people who mean the most to
me here, both American and Tongan. I preformed Tongan dancing for them with the
help of the people in my village. My dad and I went out to see with some men from my village and line fished. We (they) caught 45 tunas and I turned as green as the boat! But, most importantly I think, and hope that
my dad, Debbie, and Emily got a real understanding of what my life is like here
in Tonga, mostly all the good parts and little of the not so good.
A common theme of their time here was thankfulness. The
Tongan people shared how thankful they were for me being here and for my family
to come visit. My family gave thanks to the Tongan people for caring for me and
loving me. I was thankful for all the stuff the Tongans did to show my family hospitality
while they were here and that my family took the time and money to come and see
me.
Thank you so much for coming to see me and be a part of my life here in Tonga. It means more than words could explain!
