Museum of American Samoa and life here on the island

American Samoa has one museum and out front they have a tree carving that is very impressive.

We are slowly starting to learn some Samoan words. The language is spoken very fast but even Gavin and I have picked up a few words.

Talofa - is said the most (after "Alu" which is yelled at dogs to make them go away) It's kind of like Aloha in Hawaii. It means anything from Hi, Bye, good morning/evening, have a good day. It's pronounced like "Ta Loafer" but instead of er its ahh. Since it sounds so close to Lofer (someone that is lazy) other islands (like New Zealand) have jokes about Samoan's loafing around saying Talofa.

Fa'afetai - pronounced "fah fa tie" means thank you and that's the one Gavin and I say the most.

Fa'amolemole - pronounced "fah molie molie" is another favorite because it simply means please but is such a long exotic sounding word.

Fa'afafine - pronounced "fah fah fieeny" is a man dressed as a women. This is quite entertaining to Trevor and most of the male palagis's (white people) on island.

Puletasi - Pronounced "pull a tah see" is another of Gavin and I's favorites. Gavin says it all the time to mean anything but it is actually the traditional dress of the Samoan women. They are very conservative so it covers the shoulders and knees. I can't wait to get one made. A custom dress here runs about $20-$30. You can take in a picture of any dress and they will make it for you.

Lava-Lava is the wrap around sarong worn by everyone (men and women).

If you are interested in learning more about living on a remote South Pacific Island and you want to read an entertaining book I highly suggest "The Sex Lives of Cannibals". It's a travel book about a guy living on the Gilbert Islands which are way more remote than Samoa but some of the similarities (food shortages, pollution, scary dogs, government corruption and the performance for the governor at the end of the year) are scary and made me laugh out loud. He does a great job of explaining how given all the cons there is still the draw of seeing paradise everyday that makes it worth it.