June 25, 2024

My German vocabulary!

Anyone who knows me can attest that I have no aptitude for foreign languages. The other night, while half heartly watching the German commentators after Game 3, I remarked to Tom and Stephan how many times they used English words while speaking. This lead to a whole conversation about how many words in the English language are copied from German. The first one they took credit for was Kindergarten, I never thought about that one. Gesundheit, I agreed was more common but I had no idea how to spell and don't hear it used all that often these days. Noodle,  was also claimed by Stephan, but I thought he was stretching things now. Foods that are German origin like Bratwurst, Strudel, Gingerbread, Schnitzel, Sauerkraut and Pilsner Lager I wouldn't count in the list. But I didn't think Hamburger ( even though I am in Hamburg, where it was supposedly invented) and now that I think about, is a major item on most menus I have seen here, was of German descent. Other's that are have German roots are Frankfurter, Weiner, Pumpernickel, Bundt Cake, Delicatessen, Pretzel, Foosball and they are even claiming Seltzer and Gummy Bears! 

By Patricia Patrick December 4, 2025
Today we went to see the coastal Naidiri Village that has recently won the Top Prize in global restoration, for their ocean reef project. The reef restoration was borne out of necessity to solve their dwindling food/ main protein source for the village, of fish. It was started by 2 of the villages rugby players and today is run by the local teenagers (mostly boys) in the village. It was great seeing how empowered and proud they were of their amazing efforts.
By Patricia Patrick December 1, 2025
The port agent offered several trips to areas around Lautoka . We chose the trip to Serenity Island Resort which included van and boat transfers and lunch. It was a really nice day enjoying the sun, reef, pool, turtles and amenities!
By Patricia Patrick December 1, 2025
I organized a group tour for a fun day experience. We had a great day despite the rain that decided to join in. We started with a 45 minute van ride out through the city, into the countryside. Then we got in long boats and went up river to a waterfall, some swam or cheered on the guides to cliff dive. Then back in the boats to visit Sabata Village where 50 family members live as a community existing totally off the land, along the river. Next was a quick boat ride to our BBQ lunch spot. After lunch we got to tube down the river, through light rapids, for just about an hour. We ganged our tubes together with the guide - we had a chain of 14 in my group and the guides totally blew us away singing hymns for a good chunk of the journey. It was truly moving in that place with the rain drizzling and all of us linked together. Loved it!