Flat Stanley and Flat Hal have learned a few words from the locals at each of our stops.
With a little help from Gemini AI here is a table that shows several words we have learned, words that are wonderful to learn anywhere you travel. Here is how to say hello, goodbye and thank you in Hawaiian, Samoan and Fijian:
| hello | goodbye | thank you | |
| Hawaiian | Aloha | A hui hou | Mahalo |
| Samoan | Talofa | Tofa | Fa’afetai |
| Fijian | Bula | Moce | Vinaka |
It is amazing how a bus driver will light up at the end of a tour if you not only take a moment to say “Thank You”, but to do so in their language… it shows, among other things both a respect and appreciation for where you are visiting, and the people who live there.
Do you ever thank the person who gets you to school? Your teacher?
Some days are hard. Some days we wonder if we are learning what we need to do we can pass a test… adults have similar days, and someone taking a moment to say “thanks for all you do” can make them feel like they received an A+ on a final exam in a difficult class.
