If you knew you would be stranded on a remote island, what ten things would you bring?

I remember playing this game with friends when I was younger... back when the thought of living on an island away from western technology existed only as an abstraction. My list might have looked like this:

1. A lifetime supply of chocolate-covered almonds
2. A Brita water filtering pitcher
3. A GPS system
4. A 4 wheeler
5. A beach chair
6. John Locke from LOST... who would be more useful on an island than this guy?

7. Jack

or Sawyer.

Or both? Either way, on an island, the odds are in my favor.
9. My dog, Kosmo.
10. His clicker and a lot of goldfish crackers (so I could teach him how to fetch food, scare off intruders, build huts, and other practical things, while I'm hanging out with the characters from LOST)



Now, as I'm packing my suitcase, I'm beginning to play this game all over again. Progressively, and especially after learning that my bag can only weigh 44 pounds (the plane that I fly from Hawaii to Pago Pago will be so small that they will even seat us according to our weight), my ideas of living on a remote island are changing as they become more real. Therefore, after re-evaluating life on an island, I have revised the top 10 things that I think I will need to survive in the South Pacific.

Here is a more realistic list:

1. Gifts to make peace with the locals, as well as gifts for my Aiga. If I'm taking only the bare minimum for survival, then this tops my charts. If I am going to Samoa, and this is their island, I had better get on their good side.

Last semester, one of the students from SIT got beat up really badly by some Samoans. According to another girl from the trip, he was out late at night by himself and they asked him for money, and he refused and... well, things escalated, I suppose. However, everything I have read says that Samoa has a very communal culture, and I am expecting that it is not uncommon for a Samoan to even ask another Samoan for their money, shoes, food, etc. So, while I am listing this as number one, I really mean that anything I bring will be something that I will be fully prepared to share (but don't worry Mom and Dad, I will travel the village with small amounts of money and keep everything else out of visibility).

I've always claimed to be something of a socialist. Let's see if I'll be able to put it into practice... (yes, I understand it's different on an island).

2. Bug repellent with 100% DEET and Sunscreen. Mosquitos, centipedes, and cucarachas gigantes-- oh my! And did I mention I'll be sleeping in a fale? See below.



3. Snorkeling gear!! :D :D

4. Three long dresses. One of which is white, for Church. As I've already mentioned, they are very traditional, modest, and Christian.

5. Sunscreen. I'm already an excellent candidate for skin cancer as it is.

6. Tevas. 'Cause my un-calloused feet ain't ready for the reef and Tevas look way cooler than aqua-socks.

7. Waterbottle and iodine tablets. In case my pool boy calls in sick and I can't have him bring me purified water. I'm kidding. People, I'm not going to a resort here!

8. Soap/Shampoo. For those cold showers (when I'm lucky).

9. Some paper journals. I've gotten addicting to writing in a paper journal. But whenever I do have access to a computer, I will be sure to update this blog and copy some of my favorite entries.

10. A digital camera. To post pictures and videos to the internet (when I get the chance) for your enjoyment!

Additional accessories I am taking:
A flashlight w/ batteries. For those late-night trips to the "bathroom"...
Multi-vitamins. Taro fruit and coconut all day every day does not seem like a healthy diet.
An umbrella. It's going to rain. A lot.

"Beware of all enterprises that require new clothes, and not rather a new wearer of clothes."
-Thoreau