Connections Through Games

 On a trip without our phones, disconnected from the internet, we have been playing a lot of games. Upon getting through security in Kona, we quickly asked around to see who had brought a deck of cards. Sat down in the airport we played a couple rounds of go fish. During our layover in Honolulu, cards were broken out again, this time for spoons—pens being substituted for spoons. Olivia also taught the group to play Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza. Both games incited laughter and joking and were just what we needed to keep us all awake! Now, being in the village, we are continuing to play uno and other card games. Emma is even teaching us to play Texas Hold ‘Em! That being said, we are also learning to play Fijian games with our host families! Emma, Kela, and my family have taught us to play a game similar to pool and air hockey. In this game, circular chips are set in the middle, and we all slide a larger chip to the middle it try and hit the chips into holes at each corner of the square table they sit on. While our skills are developing in this game, so are our friendships with our family. Having brought cards, we plan on teaching our families some card games and uno! They are also planning on teaching us more games they know. These games have had a way of connecting our group, and continue to connect each of us with our host families. We play these games despite language and  cultural differences, bonding with everyone here.  - Charlotte

Playing a popular Fijian game in our host family's home.

Today’s new game: hermit crab races!