List of blunt points #3

1). I thought my waterbottle had a dent in it (it looked like a windshield that had been hit with a pebble) and continued to drink out of it for a few weeks. As the "dent" grew and got greener, I learned that I had been drinking the algae that was growing on the inside of my waterbottle.

2). I re-opened my already-infected hand when I fell in a pool of standing water. Did I mention that in a previous semester, they sent a girl home half-way through the course because she developed an infection that became resistant to anti-biotics?

3). Contrary to popular belief, I haven't surfed once. More on that later?

4). I've been using a sock turned inside-out as a wash-cloth since I got here... and I certainly won't elaborate on what that sock looks like now.

5). My armpits look like I've got Don King in a headlock.

Another list of blunt points I'd like to make without explanation

1. I don't even flinch anymore when I see a 3 year old girl carrying a machete to school

2. I started watching my clothes more closely while they were drying on a clothesline when I caught Dad (who is at least 200 lbs heavier than me) wearing my shirt

3. Every conversation starts with "Do you like Samoa? Are you married? If you like it so much, you know you need to marry a Samoan to stay here. Would you like to marry my son?"

4. Whatever I have for lunch is usually whatever someone left on their plate the night before

5. The political issue that's caused the most heat is that they're considering switching the side of the road that people drive on from the right to the left. Seriously.

6. "I'm surprised more children don't die around here" A quote from one of my friends in the program, and I couldn't have said it better myself.

7. I haphazardly became best friends with the owner of the Salani Surf resort. How convenient! Bet you didn't see that one coming... ;) Perhaps I'll post more on that later...

I'm alive!

Talofa lava! I have been in Western (Independent) Samoa for about a week now in a village called Alafua where our campus (USP) is located. They just opened the campus "computer lab" (think jr. high-- waiting in line to use one of 5 computers, two of which have had the mouse stolen, and they run at ridiculously low speeds).

I have pictures to post but...
1) the computers are VERY slow... so I'm going to try to post this entry first and then try for some pictures.
2) Almost anywhere I go I have to ask permission (preferably of a Matai/chief) to take pictures. This makes sense though, as I'm sure a lot of palagi* come through taking pictures of people going about their day. Especially cause theres so many things here that you just wouldn't believe if it weren't for the pictures!

I have so much I could write about, but I'm a bit limited (due to slow computer and the fact that I've got a lot of work to do for tomorrow). So I'll do what I can. And I apologize if it's not structured in a very reader-friendly fashion. While my Samoan tongue is really improving, I'm getting worse with English:)

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It's hot. The showers are cold. I shower with centipedes. I have decided that sleeping with lizards is better than sleeping with centipedes.

The busses here are an unreal experience. They are brightly painted and loud music is always blaring. And I cannot describe how crowded they are. When all the seats are taken, people begin to pile in each others' laps. I've even had someone sit in my lap already. Someone handed their BABY to my friend. Unreal.

I ran into a guy that went to Trinity on the first day at the market!!!

I'm sleeping in a closed room (not an open fale). I am still at USP, though. Friday I will go stay with a family in Lotofaga (on the south side of Upolu). But because the Matai's son-in-law is a builder, they have a new house... most likely a closed house that is typically only associated with Palagi*, but we'll see.

I have been snorkeling with some of the most colorful fish I've ever seen, hiking to the top of volcanic mountains, swimming in caves, diving off waterfalls, and sliding down moss covered rocks. Did I mention I LOVE SAMOA?

Our academic director from SIT told us that if we followed the health guidelines from SIT, that we'd all starve and die. That should give you an idea about my diet.

My clothes smell worse after having washed them.

I may or may not elaborate on these things later, depending on what you guys are interested in. I haven't written anyone individually (yet), but I just wanted to tell everyone how much it means to me to receive emails, comments, and those kinds of things from you. This has been a bit of an emotional roller-coaster for me and hearing from people close to my home helps me remember who I am and where I come from.

Peace, love, and le fa'asamoa,
Mandy

*Palagi (puh-LONG-ee) is the Samoan word for white person.