Kelly's Trip to Samoa, August, 2006

Fire Demo 2
Fire Demo 2

Fono at his bar
Fono at his bar

Fono
Fono

Kel and Fono
Kel and Fono

Kim
Kim

Langi and Ana
Langi and Ana

Retreat 2
Retreat 2

Samoa Staff
Samoa Staff

Training
Training

Village ladies dancing 2
Village ladies dancing 2

Village ladies dancing
Village ladies dancing

kids of the village
kids of the village

retreat location
retreat location

soon to be vols
soon to be vols

vols  dancing 2
vols dancing 2

vols  dancing
vols dancing


Kelly's Trip to Samoa, September, 2004

Up


I was blessed to spend 5 weeks in the Polynesia island of Samoa. The country consists of the two large volcanic islands, Upolu and Savai'i, and seven small islets located about halfway between Hawaii and New Zealand in the Polynesian region of the South Pacific. Samoa has a population of approximately 180,000 gentle kind people.

The coast is dotted with swaying palm trees and white sand beaches. The water is crystal clear and the waves are perfectI can see why all the surfers come here. The interior of the country has lush forest of evergreens, vines and ferns. The banyan trees dominate the landscape at the higher elevations.

The Samoan culture is very strong with close-knit family, steeped in tradition with respected village chiefs and church on Sundays. Dancing, singing and music play a big part in Samoan culture. Many males at age 12 go to a tattooist and get tattooed from the waist to knee. Intricate tattooing is one of the hallmarks of traditional Samoan culture.

I was fortunate to arrive during the biggest weeklong cultural festival of the year (the Teuila Festival). There was choir singing, fire-knife dancing, longboat racing and plenty of food. What a way to begin my visit!

I am home for just a short stint before I head off to the cold weather and wild lands of Mongolia.

All my love,

Kelly


Aggies
Aggies

Aggies daughter
Aggies daughter

Apia night
Apia night

Fono
Fono

Horn blower
Horn blower

Theresa family
Theresa family

church
church

dancing ladies
dancing ladies

fire dancing
fire dancing

me pool
me pool

seashore
seashore

singing ladies
singing ladies

tatoo man
tatoo man

tatoo man2
tatoo man2