Andra vinaka, o lai vei? which translate to Good Morning, how are you? I am working on my Fijian more and more everyday!! Pretty soon I will be able to order a drink in Fijian, and well if that doesn't work, I will make hand jesters till the bartender gets it!
This has really helped me get into the language, and for those of you following along, I thought I'd pass along the tip to getting the language down. Here goes:
| The letter "b" is prononounced "mb" | Therefore, Bure | is "mBure" |
| The letter "d" is prononounced "nd" | Therefore, Nadi | is "Nandi" |
| The letter "q" is prononounced "ng" | Therefore, Beqa Island | is "Benga Island" |
| The letter "c" is prononounced "th" | Therefore, Caneili | is "Thaneili" |
This weeks goal has been to start the passport process, I've heard its a long one with lots of paper work and steps involved. I figure the sooner I get on it the better, I wouldn't want to get so close to the trip and have that anxiety of not knowing if my passport will be here on time!
To expect to apply in person if this is your first passport. Keep that in mind. You can find where to apply here http://iafdb.travel.state.gov/
First you need to gather the SUPER important documents or your passport is a no go. You will need:
1. Original Birth Certificate- ABSOLUTLEY NO COPIES are accepted!
2. Valid Government Issued ID (Driver's License) You'll need to make a copy of the front & back as well as bring the ID with you to the office you are applying at.
3. Fill out this form http://travel.state.gov/passport/forms/ds11/ds11_842.html (you have to fill it by hand if this is your first time applying)
4. Get your money ready to pay the fees. They can change, here's where to check the price http://travel.state.gov/passport/fees/fees_837.html
5. Go to Walgreen’s (that is where I went) and take your Passport Photos there are all sorts of reflations about photos, its best to let the professionals handle it, but here is what the regulations are-taken right off the gov website.
- Identical
- In color
- 2 x 2 inches in size
- Printed on thin, photo-quality paper
- Taken within the past 6 months, showing current appearance
- Full face, front view with a plain white or off-white background
- Between 1 inch and 1 3/8 inches from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head
For those of you who want the government to walk you through the process, click on the link below-It will not be as entertaining as my check list was :)
http://travel.state.gov/passport/get/first/first_830.html
Now on to the good stuff....Money. Since I will be traveling to another country they of course have their own money. For those of you who have never seen Fijian money (myself included) I did a search to see what it looks like, here is what I found:
I'm sure I will plan on picking up lots of souvenirs, pictures, groceries, things like that while I am there, and anything else I can find along the way. I plan on converting my money as soon as I get over there, to make it easier. That way I don't have to always have to subtract .81705 from every $1.81705 to get the value in US Dollars.
I've been trying to figure out what is the best way to communicate with Fijian's in-case I need to. You know, I meet someone and want to reach them, how does it work? I assume they are above the can-on-a-string days. Seems like they have technology like the rest of the world has these days, or at least, the places I want to visit. Phone, Email & Fax seem to be the most popular. Although, I admit, the only time I fax anything is for work, and this trip is definitely not work, so fax is out. Phone & Email work for me, they go hand and hand, after all we do live in the Smart Phone era. I can't leave home with out my Blackberry, there is no way I can leave the country with out it. So Phone & Email it is!
Seganaleqa, Marau - No worries, be happy!
