Fa’asamoa (the Samoan way of life)

Things on Samoa can be incredible similar to the states but they different know how to put their own way of life in. Our internet at school went out Saturday night and we just got it back today.  The Samoans are very patient and laid back people, and will often put of things until the next day.  A popular saying here is there is always tomorrow.  They are in no real rush to do anything.  This can be a real great thing.  Samoan are the nicest drivers I have ever seen.  They are always willing to let people in, turn or cross the street.  When you hear honking here it’s because they are greeting a family member not because they are angry.  At the laundry mat a man went out of his way to drive us back to our place even through it was in the opposite way.  People will pull over and over you rides if they see you are carrying heavy bags.  I have been able to hitch hike here a couple times.  It’s a neat way to meet people.

I was able to walk around my campus today and meet a couple staff members I will be working with this year.  Everyone was so welcoming and willing to help out.  I am still very nervous about teaching English (which as everyone knows it is not my strongest subject) but, it really helped calm my nerves.  We have also been  going through how to teach lessons, which have been super informative and helpful.  I am sure that it will be a struggle but I am confident that I can do a good job.

This is some famous rock,  It looks cool

On Saturday we were able to take a mini tour of the island.  I cannot get over how beautiful of a place that my home for the next year is.  We were able to go swimming and snorkeling a bit, and see placements for most of the teachers.  Even though the island is only about 20 miles long is takes about 2 hours to get from end to end so we will be spread out.  I am located in the middle so I can hopefully be able to see most of the other volunteers throughout the year.

A bunch of us volunteers doing the jumping pose

This is the Anu'u, the closest island to the main one

There's starfish here!

My birthday here was very nice.  You are not suppose to work at all on Sundays because its all about Church.  So I got to have a very chill day.  One of the volunteers baked a cake from scratch and everyone song happy birthday to me.  It was really awesome that people I just meet a week ago would make me feel so special.   I am lucky to be surrendered by such a great group of people. 

Monday our group went for a hike to Blunts Point and had class up here.  It was a steep hike but we were rewarded with this amazing view. 

 I hope that everything is going well back home and that the heat way soon passes,  If any of you have spare books laying around that would be good for a high school or middle school level I might be in need of them soon.