Hi:

Speaking of cannibals......... I had lunch with a cannibal December
1979. I was walking the beech near Vatukarasa, Fiji (big island) and
found a ball of 200 lb test fishing line that had washed up. Can't
pass up such a valuable gift when offered by Neptun Rex. I took it back
to the village, sat down under a coconut tree, and started to
straighten out the mess. Frustration was setting in quickly. One of the
Tavuto kids came over and told me that an old man in the village could
help me straighten out the tangle. Turned out the old guy was totally
blind. We sat there for most of the morning. Not a word on his part.
His fingers worked the tangles out as I coiled the line. Rather
remarkable considering he was totally blind working solely by feel. I
am not sure what they found interesting but there were always about
4-6 people just sitting around watching as we worked.

Turns out, as I was told later that night after several bowls of
yanquana with the men, he was their last living cannibal. I suppose the
village found it somewhat interesting watching him work so closely
with, in earlier times, a potential meal.

How to meet locals? Get away from your boat and loud mouth Americans
who believe all should bow before the all and mighty American dollar.
Look and act as though you are poor.

Bob