To the wonderful island of Savai’i for a quick visit, then 2 weeks of the beautiful village of Ma’asina!

Well, we are back again in Apia, after a quick trip to Savai’i and then 2 weeks in the village. We leave on Sunday for a few days for on the job training, where I will be going to the school where I will be working for 2 years, and seeing where I will be living. I will be working with students with special needs, but I not sure in what setting yet, whether it will be inclusion, or I will be pulling out students for extra help. I am excited to find out a lot more this weekend! I will be in a village near the airport in Upolu, about an 1 ½ hour bike ride from Apia for the two years. A great location! Today, we had the volunteer conference---all volunteers got together, there were speakers, some activities, and some tokens of appreciation were given to the group that is leaving (those that have been here for the 2 years). Tomorrow is our Thanksgiving—all of the volunteers get together, turkeys are baked in an umu, and 20 pumpkin pies have been made for us. It is very nice that these events are held for us!

Savai’i---I went on a volunteer visit to the island of Savai’i, the bigger of the two islands. Great fun! I stayed with a volunteer who is leaving in a few weeks, who was a computer teacher. We went on a bike ride to another volunteer’s house one of the days---right along the water, white sand beaches. Very nice, although it is very difficult to ride in a lava-lava! I will need to get used to that! Also went for a run, and went to a waterfall and went swimming at the bottom of it. I observed her classes and what it will be like to teach here. She also had a few visitors come and said they had a great time--- (You are all welcome!!!).

Then to the village! So much has happened in these two weeks----learned a lot more of the Fa’asamoa----how to husk a coconut, crack it in half (then drink the juice of course), and then shave out the coconut inside. Learned how to make the fire, with the coconut shells, and wood…how to weave a basket out of the top part of a coconut tree. All of these experiences included much quality bonding time with my Samoan brothers and sisters, and lots of laughter. One huge highlight was going to the plantation---incredible! We put on our running shoes and then started walking with 2 of our sisters and one of our brothers. As we were going up, we saw 2 of our brothers coming down, with 2 huge baskets on their shoulders (held by the large stick on their shoulders), with lots of coconuts, and taro leaves----definitely a true workout! They also had some tolo (sugar cane) in the baskets that our sister scraped for us and we ate then all the way up the hill There was a fale at the top of the trail, where we sat for awhile and enjoyed the beautiful view of the sea, saw coconut trees, ava plants, plants that have the seeds in them for koko samoa, papaya. Talked to my brother about how the plantation has been in the family for hundreds of years. Amazing how they really know how to use the land- Another big event---a road was just paved in our village so they slaughtered a cow to give to the prime minister. They took the skin off and then continued to dissect it step by step. All the kids came home from school and watched with us. Definitely a more regular event for them than for me though!

Hope you all are enjoying the fall leaves and the start of winter (It has already snowed in Buffalo, huh Sarah and Rose?!) Time is definitely a strange thing here. So used to the different seasons that when it isn’t changing, don’t feel like it is a certain month, or holiday if that makes sense.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! I am certainly thankful for so much this year, as with every year. For all of you at home and being blessed with such a wonderful Samoan family to live with during training, a wonderful training staff, and a great group. Thank you all for all the support from home and for all the great notes and the pictures! (They will be all be displayed in my house---pictures are always greatly appreciated!) I will do my best to write back to everyone! (It is just a bit tricky to get to the post office)—and mail can be interesting. Some have taken 2 weeks, but Mom and Dad, your package is certainly enjoying the view on its’ way here haha. (Hope it wasn’t zucchini bread again!)

Alofa ia te oe! Love you all!

Love, Sally (Seli)