Fijian Dreams and Ding Dings
WORDS BY CTF CO-FOUNDER ANNA SANTORO
PHOTOS BY PETER JOLI WILSON @JOLIPHOTOS
Traveling to the wave rich area of the South Pacific is every surfer's dream, and within, lying Fiji and the infamous Cloudbreak. Being goofy foot, this area of the world has always been dreamy to me. In the spring I got a call from long time friend & my favorite massage therapist, Rebecca Schulman, saying there could be an opening to go to Namotu Island in Fiji to teach yoga. I listened unbelievably twice to the voicemail and felt giddy with the possibility of traveling to a very small famous island, 3.3 aches, to teach yoga to worldly travelers next to some of the best surf in the world. This is exactly where I wanted to grow in my professional career of sharing wellness & powerful self care with others.
I secured my spot at Namotu for two weeks and began preparing physically and mentally for the journey while making a list of items to bring with me. Wondering what I could bring to the locals who inhabit this small island in the pacific, I called Rebecca. She suggested menstrual cups for the women due to the tiny island circumstances. An individual gift and a way to help reduce their own waste, I loved the idea! As I couldn’t afford the gifts alone, I turned to my Mama’s friends who are generous givers and often support my ideas. It has been 16 months since I lost my hugest supporter, best friend, and my Mama's grounding love. Lost without her, I spend each day seeking light in nature and the people around me, while striving to live for a better world. I emailed 10 of my Mama’s closest friends asking for support in my gift and within 12 hours I had already been given more than requested. I wanted to tread lightly due to not knowing the Fijian culture and sharing this feminine gift for the first time. None of my Mamas friends had heard of these reusable cups, but were keen to support me; I felt so grateful.
I had finally counted down all the days to Fiji and it was happening! I packed 24 menstrual cups in my board bag and felt excited about sharing a unique gift with the women and hopeful that it would be well received. Upon arriving to Namotu, I met my bad-ass fisherman boss, Mike, and his sweet wife Katie. I mentioned my gifts to Katie and asked what she thought would be the best way to share them with the locals. She thought it was a great idea. She said she used to do women’s circles on Oahu and believed that would be a great way for us all to get together. I loved the idea; I have done a few women’s circles in the past and genuinely felt inspired, connected, and supported by the other women. With the local women being a group of all ages and backgrounds, I was excited and a little nervous to see how the local women would respond.
One afternoon, we gathered in a large room at the end of the island and as the women came in, noticed the chairs in the circle, each tried to sit on the outside at a couch close to the door. Katie welcomed each woman, urged them to sit in the circle, and grab some warm Fijian style tea, black tea with whole milk, and a fresh sweet treat. All the women were surprised by the goodies and we finally got 11 of the local women to sit in the circle with Katie, Brisa, Katie’s daughter and soon to be the newest WCT surfer, and myself. Katie opened the circle as a safe place for sharing anything on their mind and a place to support one another. She asked if anyone had ever been to something like this and as we went around the room, each women shyly said no. Right then, I knew I was experiencing a special moment in my life. My smile grew as I shared some of my past circle experiences. Brisa then had a great idea of going around saying a word or two that come to mind when you hear the word woman. Some of the responses were: fierce, loving, nurturing, home-maker. The women began to warm up a bit.
Next, it was my turn to present the little gifts. I started by sharing that these special circles are a place to lift each up, which helps us thrive as women. Then I explained what Changing Tides Foundation is and how we desire to give back in the places we travel. I shared that a few special women from San Diego made these gifts possible and the conversation I had with Rebecca, since they all knew her. I took out a cute little pink and white polkadot cloth bag and introduced them to the Blossom Cup. I educated them on how to use it, clean it, and store it in its little bag. Only Brisa had ever heard of such a thing. I reassured them all that women from around the world are using them, they have been around for many years, and the pure silicone is safe for your body. They all seemed slightly nervous, but also open to the idea of using it, asked lots of questions, and were happy about creating less waste. At one point the Fijians were dying laughing and we were lost in translation. They shared with us that one woman had named the cup a “Ding Ding” because it looks like a dinner bell!! We were all dying laughing now. One even said for the first time ever they were excited to get their cycle! I was thrilled! What was really special to me was the women sharing with us about their culture of “women coming of age”. They said that, in Fiji, when you get your period for the first time, you go spend a few days with your aunts, relatives and receive lots of love and special treatment. I continue to be fascinated learning how others live around the world especially about their traditions and ceremonies.
By the end of the circle, we were all in tears mixed with joy, comfort, and connection. One of the older women of the group, spoke on behalf of the Fijian’s and expressed her sincere gratefulness of starting a women’s circle for a place to gather and support each other with special thanks for the gift and believing it could be a great item for them all. I was so moved by each of these women and my heart felt whole for the first time since my Mama passed. It didn’t matter where we came, I knew then, that I wanted to continue to incorporate menstrual cups as gifts to women I meet around the world. They are a perfect gift to reduce waste, connect with the local women, a way to give back, and super easy to throw in our board bags! I had everyone gather outside for a group picture to document the Fijians first women’s circle and they held up the little bags yelling “Ding Ding” for the photo. We all laughed out loud together. We were connected and my heart felt full; I so look forward to learning from women around the world and future travels with these cups.
