January 25, 2010- We arrived in Samoa on the morning of January 21. I went on the weather deck, looked at the island, and knew I was back. There was haze over the city and you can smell burning wood from cooking as well as burning the rubbish. The family came out to meet me around ten in the morning. I had called “L” back in Seattle and of course, the thought of me going to her home village made her more homesick than normal. How strange the world turned upside down, where I am in her home village, and she calls me from the house in Seattle.
Driving on the left was no problem for me. Petrol in Samoa is near four dollars a gallon and the vehicle I am driving in a mini-SUV, the Toyota Cami. It is not exported to the US. I could tell by the stickers and FM radio that it is a Japanese domestic model that has outlived its usefulness in the home country. The car is in great shape for having over 143,000 kilometers. I wonder if we will see vehicles as such if gas hits five bucks a gallon in America. Keep in mind; I drove in Japan for years, which is right hand drive and left hand stick. I still at times reach for the seat belt on the left side and occasionally turn on the wipers instead of the lights. Also, look to the right first!
I have been working these past four days on the ship and Mr. “W” arrived safely and tired on Friday. I went to the Fia Fia (dinner festival) at Aggie Grey’s resort and saw the Samoan fire dance performed live for the first time. I know it is embarrassing to be coming here all these years but it is akin to seeing an actual hula dance in Hawaii. That in addition, I have only seen once. The “siva” dance performed at the hotel was great but I could not look at the women dancing as “L” dances the same technique for me back home. You could say seeing the hand and hip movements made me very homesick. As I wrote before, this was the first time I ever been inside Aggie Grey’s. “LV” pointed out to me this morning on our way to the ship he has never been to Robert Louis Stevenson’s home and museum. Before I leave, I want to plan a trip to Savaii for the family. I have been there more than most of “L”s family members.
Driving on the left was no problem for me. Petrol in Samoa is near four dollars a gallon and the vehicle I am driving in a mini-SUV, the Toyota Cami. It is not exported to the US. I could tell by the stickers and FM radio that it is a Japanese domestic model that has outlived its usefulness in the home country. The car is in great shape for having over 143,000 kilometers. I wonder if we will see vehicles as such if gas hits five bucks a gallon in America. Keep in mind; I drove in Japan for years, which is right hand drive and left hand stick. I still at times reach for the seat belt on the left side and occasionally turn on the wipers instead of the lights. Also, look to the right first!
I have been working these past four days on the ship and Mr. “W” arrived safely and tired on Friday. I went to the Fia Fia (dinner festival) at Aggie Grey’s resort and saw the Samoan fire dance performed live for the first time. I know it is embarrassing to be coming here all these years but it is akin to seeing an actual hula dance in Hawaii. That in addition, I have only seen once. The “siva” dance performed at the hotel was great but I could not look at the women dancing as “L” dances the same technique for me back home. You could say seeing the hand and hip movements made me very homesick. As I wrote before, this was the first time I ever been inside Aggie Grey’s. “LV” pointed out to me this morning on our way to the ship he has never been to Robert Louis Stevenson’s home and museum. Before I leave, I want to plan a trip to Savaii for the family. I have been there more than most of “L”s family members.
These past four days consisted of working on the ship. Temperatures were in the upper 80’s and humidity was up as well. I think I lost some weight through the “steam” method. Today (January 25) it is raining and on the south side of the island, there were quite a few pools on the road. We are taking a different road back and plan to take both of the “Teachers at Sea” teachers to the village. I invited them and told them that the village they will see and experience is nowhere close to the images presented at tourist resorts. It will be a “Day in the Life” situation. I will drive them to the airport tonight for the journey back the United States. They are flying on the same plane I flew many a times coming to and leaving this island.
I know the crew on the KA had a great time. I was glad to be able to sail with them and give them ideas on where to spend their weekend liberty. For some will be back next year if this port call is approved and for others, this will be there one and only trip here. I know the people here enjoy having the KA visit. I am on the KA seeing her off this afternoon.
My access to the Internet will be limited to visits to the Internet cafes in Apia. I will write and keep a log in the village and when I do come to town, update the blog. It should be on a regular basis after February 12, when I report to the Hi’ialakai.
Talofa from Samoa!
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