My Village

I live in the second largest village in the state of Nadroga.  We are a 2 minute walk (or a 5 minute amble) into the town, which is just across the river.  The old sugar railway used to run behind our village, out the side and across the river by way of its very own bridge, but the rail has been out of commision since 3 years ago, when the bridge collapsed.  Half of the bridge remains, twisted and falling into the river.  When in town, a great place to sit and eat an ice cream with friends is at the “end,” or middle rather, of the old bridge that points straight toward our village.  There are 450+ residents of my village.  Many of the young kids attend school  just on the other side of the (stable) bridge.  The walk to the school passes through the old town, which is a number of store fronts that have been closed for years and years and are now the home to several families.  One such store front has been converted to an Assembly of God church!  The school-age youth in my village, who are generally Methodist, like to stand out in front of the church on Sunday evenings to appreciate the music, singing and dancing, since these are tabu in their religion.