Labasa Takes a Dip '09

I'm pretty sure the storm has ended here in the beautiful town of Labasa. The streets paved with gold are shining again in all their splendour. And the sugar plant smells that much sweeter after the storm. It didn't get to bad here but there was flodding two nights ago. We woke up early to see the town under about 1-3 feet of water. The levels subsided by mid-afternoon and the shops downtown were swamped but nothing like what happened down in Viti in places like Ba and Nadi town. Ashley ius still stranded here with me (tough luck). We just got back from the airport, and despite the sunny weather today we were told the flights to Nadi were cancelled today and to try again tomorrow. Meanwhile, the road back to Savusavu (and subsequently my village) are washed out. I have no clue when I will be able to return to normal life. And for the whiny bit. For this to happen right after the holidays, and with ashley visiting and now stuck in Labasa town has left me more broke than a hobo. BooHoo.
I am thankful for the hospitality of the volunteers up here and for Aric being cool with us crashing in his swanky 2nd floor apartment eventhough he is stranded in Suva. Today I think Ash and I will help the two girls here clean their place up. Their house was swamped and the entire floor is caked in mud and slimy things.
I wish I could keep ash here with me but she has a "life" and "responsibilities" to get back to. It's been really fun and comforting to have her here with me and to show her what I've been up to in Fiji for the past 8 months. I have a feeling tomorrow she'll get lucky and she'll be on a plane to somewhere other than here. She didn't cry when she got off the plane 3 weeks ago so I am certain she will cry when she gets back on. I, however, will not weep. Not because I do not love her but I have hidden her wallet and she will have to come back here to get it, mwa-hahaha