July 14, 2007
Samoan Winter
For the past weeks, we have been enjoying the Samoan Winter. This means we sometimes sleep with a sheet totally or partially over us for most of the night.
We don’t even sweat. The days are really pleasant with scattered light showers throughout the day. It is actually very pleasant, but you still have to beware of the sun. If you are ever planning to come to Samoa, this is the time to do it.
Sunday, July 29, 2007
Samoan Food
July 13, 2007
Samoan Food
(Pictures)
One of our assignments is to list those Samoan Foods you like and dislike. I couldn’t name a one I disliked. No wonder when we a have a person who loves to cook and another who loves to decorate the table. Almost every meal is like a meal at a fancy restaurant. No wonder other volunteers want to eat with us. Below is just a sampling of what we face dinner time.
(Dinner Close Up)
Bananas
Chicken
Crab Salad
Squash
Pasta Salad
Banana cooked with coconut cream
Rice
Palusami, taro leaf filled with coconut cream
(Samoan Dinner)
Chicken
Taro
?
Rice
Mixed Vegetables
Soup
Etc.
(Dinner II)
Lamb Ribs
Fish (Caught by Family Member)
Taro
Squash
Palusami
Samoan Food
(Pictures)
One of our assignments is to list those Samoan Foods you like and dislike. I couldn’t name a one I disliked. No wonder when we a have a person who loves to cook and another who loves to decorate the table. Almost every meal is like a meal at a fancy restaurant. No wonder other volunteers want to eat with us. Below is just a sampling of what we face dinner time.
(Dinner Close Up)
Bananas
Chicken
Crab Salad
Squash
Pasta Salad
Banana cooked with coconut cream
Rice
Palusami, taro leaf filled with coconut cream
(Samoan Dinner)
Chicken
Taro
?
Rice
Mixed Vegetables
Soup
Etc.
(Dinner II)
Lamb Ribs
Fish (Caught by Family Member)
Taro
Squash
Palusami
Tropical Downpour
July 12, 2007
Tropical Downpour
Rain in the tropics happens often, even in this the drier part of the year. We can expect a shower at anytime, often four in a day. Today, we had our first tropical downpour. The heavens opened and the ocean fell for about an hour. Minor flooding occurred. Streams swelled. Pouring from the top of the volcanic mountain behind our village were cascading waterfalls down to the valley below. This is just a prelude to the wet season in the months ahead.
Tropical Downpour
Rain in the tropics happens often, even in this the drier part of the year. We can expect a shower at anytime, often four in a day. Today, we had our first tropical downpour. The heavens opened and the ocean fell for about an hour. Minor flooding occurred. Streams swelled. Pouring from the top of the volcanic mountain behind our village were cascading waterfalls down to the valley below. This is just a prelude to the wet season in the months ahead.
The Night Sky
July 11, 2007
The Night Sky
The night sky is a spectacle. In the middle of the ocean, there are no city lights to block out the Milky Way or the Southern Cross. The show is amazing as you go out for your night time pee break.
The Night Sky
The night sky is a spectacle. In the middle of the ocean, there are no city lights to block out the Milky Way or the Southern Cross. The show is amazing as you go out for your night time pee break.
Corporal Punishment in Samoa
July 09, 2007
Corporal Punishment
Even the word, corporal punishment*, seems archaic and cruel to us, but is alive and well in Samoa. From parents hitting their children to teachers slapping and wacking their students to husbands beating their wives, these events are more common than not. The Samoan Constitution forbids it, but the law is rarely enforced. Obviously, it is more of a problem for the Peace Corps in Samoa than it is for the Samoans themselves.
I am sure there are many an American parent or teacher who might agree with Samoans once they see how well behaved and respectful Samoan children are. They seem to be well adjusted and happy children to me.
* Not to be confused with Capital Punishment which is alive and well in the U.S., but illegal in Samoa.
Corporal Punishment
Even the word, corporal punishment*, seems archaic and cruel to us, but is alive and well in Samoa. From parents hitting their children to teachers slapping and wacking their students to husbands beating their wives, these events are more common than not. The Samoan Constitution forbids it, but the law is rarely enforced. Obviously, it is more of a problem for the Peace Corps in Samoa than it is for the Samoans themselves.
I am sure there are many an American parent or teacher who might agree with Samoans once they see how well behaved and respectful Samoan children are. They seem to be well adjusted and happy children to me.
* Not to be confused with Capital Punishment which is alive and well in the U.S., but illegal in Samoa.
Living in A Traditional Society
July 8, 2007
Living in a Traditional Society
It may be hard for Westerners to accept that about 90% of the world’s population live in a traditional culture, like Samoa. We tend to admire and encourage changes in our culture, and accept that change, albeit not always readily. We feel changes in our values are an inevitable part of progress. Flux and instability in social position and power allows for the cream to rise to the top. Respect is earned, not inherited. The mind has less knowledge as one ages. Survival of the fittest applies to societies and people, as well as nature. These statements are certainly generalizations and many exceptions occur, so please accept my apologies if you don’t agree. Of course, your right to disagree with me is part of our culture too.
Some of our other traits are to be direct and expect others to be forthright with us. When we ask a question, we expect the answer to be truthful. People with hidden agendas are not to be trusted. Wishy-Washy and Waffling loses elections.
Now imagine a different world, the opposite, if you will, of those traits and values you hold dear. This is now our world in Samoa. Is one better than the other, of course not, but learning to accept that fact is not easy.
Fortunately, part of our training is to help us cope in this traditional world. We all will be tested when we find ourselves alone in a village, away from our nurturing trainers and fellow trainees.
Living in a Traditional Society
It may be hard for Westerners to accept that about 90% of the world’s population live in a traditional culture, like Samoa. We tend to admire and encourage changes in our culture, and accept that change, albeit not always readily. We feel changes in our values are an inevitable part of progress. Flux and instability in social position and power allows for the cream to rise to the top. Respect is earned, not inherited. The mind has less knowledge as one ages. Survival of the fittest applies to societies and people, as well as nature. These statements are certainly generalizations and many exceptions occur, so please accept my apologies if you don’t agree. Of course, your right to disagree with me is part of our culture too.
Some of our other traits are to be direct and expect others to be forthright with us. When we ask a question, we expect the answer to be truthful. People with hidden agendas are not to be trusted. Wishy-Washy and Waffling loses elections.
Now imagine a different world, the opposite, if you will, of those traits and values you hold dear. This is now our world in Samoa. Is one better than the other, of course not, but learning to accept that fact is not easy.
Fortunately, part of our training is to help us cope in this traditional world. We all will be tested when we find ourselves alone in a village, away from our nurturing trainers and fellow trainees.
Manunu Softball Game
July 7, 2007
The afternoon after returning from our Independent Travel Experience, we had a softball game with the village of Manunu. I mean the entire village; young, old, male, female, whole or crippled. It was the first time anyone could remember the whole village participated in anything.
You might think, we Americans would have a distinct advantage over Samoans. Wrong. Even though they don’t play softball, they sure know how to play cricket. The villagers snagged fly balls, threw the ball, and hit the ball out of sight. We were awe struck.
The three teams, Pigs (Pua’a), Cows (Povi), and chickens (Moe) each played one another in a round robin of three innings each in the hot afternoon sun. The score was kept on a large marker board and the rules were kept flexible. Gloves, bats, and balls were provided by the U. S. Government (Peace Corps), as well as, ice cream and cookies. After wards, we all retreated to the river for a cool swim.
The afternoon after returning from our Independent Travel Experience, we had a softball game with the village of Manunu. I mean the entire village; young, old, male, female, whole or crippled. It was the first time anyone could remember the whole village participated in anything.
You might think, we Americans would have a distinct advantage over Samoans. Wrong. Even though they don’t play softball, they sure know how to play cricket. The villagers snagged fly balls, threw the ball, and hit the ball out of sight. We were awe struck.
The three teams, Pigs (Pua’a), Cows (Povi), and chickens (Moe) each played one another in a round robin of three innings each in the hot afternoon sun. The score was kept on a large marker board and the rules were kept flexible. Gloves, bats, and balls were provided by the U. S. Government (Peace Corps), as well as, ice cream and cookies. After wards, we all retreated to the river for a cool swim.
Cate at the Plate
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