Friday, July 17, 2015

Week 1 in Samoa



Add caption

Papapapaita Falls

We arrived in Apia, Samoa on Tuesday night and spent Wednesday getting our driver's licenses, opening a bank account, unpacking, grocery shopping and collapsing.  We were issued a cute blue Hyundai SUV with the steering wheel on the right side of the car.  Samoa recently changed the side of the road you drive on (you now drive on the left) and it is a little hard to get used to, especially when the arrows on the road are saying you are going the wrong way.  I guess they haven't had a chance to paint over the old paint.  We both have trouble when it comes time  to signal as invariably the window washers go on instead of the turn signal.  Grocery shopping has turned into an adventure as many of the things we usually buy are not available.  People go to 3-4 stores to shop to try and get the things they need. There is nothing that even closely resembles the supermarkets we are used to.  Their money, the Tala, is a little less than half of the US dollar so when you go shopping and the can of vegetables says $5.90 it's really only about $2.75.  Food is very expensive.  The local population have plantations so do not buy that much at the grocery.  Brent and I could lose weight if other senior couples didn't keep inviting us to go to dinner with them.  We've had some amazing fish and chips and tuna steak! 

Their are several other couples serving here in the mission, but they still need more.(hint-hint)  We have already made many new friends and were excited that at least one couple loved to play 5 Crowns.  We will be getting together for FHE and other special occassions.  We were invited to go snorkling today but had to take a rain check as we had to clean out the closets and get the apt. organized.  However, this afternoon we went with the couple who we are replacing and they drove us around town and showed us good places to eat, where to buy household goods, and then inland to see Papapapaita falls.  The countryside is beautiful and lush, a different kind of beauty than we are used to in Las Vegas.

I am going to try to load some photos of our apt. It has a living room/kitchen, a bath and one bedroom.  It is plenty big and had more than enough storage.  We will be very comfortable during our stay here.  We are steps away from the temple and the mission office.  The complex is large and includes the mission offices, mission housing, the temple and housing for the temple workers, the Pesenga School and housing for the teachers, and many open spaces for rugby and soccer.  My favorite part of the day is my early morning walks where I enjoy the sounds of roosters and birds and watching the sun come up.  It is cool and peaceful.  I had worried about the humidity but it really has not been uncomfortable.  Our apt is air-conditioned as is the office and the cars.  The mornings and evenings are cool and delightful to be out in.

Thursday and Friday we spent the days learning our many responsibilities - right now it is a little overwhelming but I feel confident that with the Jackson's great training that we will be alright.  They will be returning to their home in Provo, Utah on the 31st of July.  It has been a lot of fun to start meeting the missionaries as they come into the office.  Many of the elders here are from Samoa or at least from the Pacific Islands.  We are looking forward to welcoming the Elders and Sisters we met at the MTC.  Tomorrow we will be attending a Samoan Ward as they don't have anyone to play the music for Primary.  I am more than happy to help.

My new word for the day is Pili, aka Gecko lizards.  They are pretty cute as long as they are not sharing my bed.  Well, Brent is ready to go to dinner so will close for now.  Tofa.  Sent with love, Sister Patty Ellsworth


















12 comments:

  1. Your apartment looks very nice. Glad to hear that you made it there OK. Since you left on Saturday evening, and it was a 28 hr trip, even with crossing the date line, how did you not get there until Tuesday? The falls are gorgeous! I'm sure you will see many beautiful sites there. Thanks for the post.

    ReplyDelete
  2. How fun to see all these new things! Sounds like you are acclimating well. Enjoy!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Oh my heck! I did not know that the picture of the bathroom was at the top of this post. That was NOT intentional. I wish I knew how to edit this blog.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hi, Patty,

    So good to see you both doing so well.

    Any chance you can post any pictures of the challenges in driving to illustrate this: Samoa recently changed the side of the road you drive on (you now drive on the left) and it is a little hard to get used to, especially when the arrows on the road are saying you are going the wrong way. I guess they haven't had a chance to paint over the old paint.

    Looking forward to the next post!

    Marleen

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Marleen,
      Do you think I should post a picture of the dent Brent has already put in the car? He backed into a garbage can that was bolted to the ground. oops! How are you feeling? We have our Vonage up and running so will give you a call soon. Love, Patty

      Delete
    2. Tell Brent I have a story for him about the time you backed into the garage door ... :-)

      Delete
  5. Hi!! I finally caught up on your posts. I'm so glad you are blogging your experience! I love reading all about it! So glad you made it safely and are getting comfortable. Hope you have a great week!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Jewelyn,
      It was great to hear from you. Hope you finally got Milla well and that you are having a great summer. Love, Patty

      Delete
    2. Hi Jewelyn,
      It was great to hear from you. Hope you finally got Milla well and that you are having a great summer. Love, Patty

      Delete
  6. Love hearing from you and how good things are going. I see I have been replaced by roosters? Love you both......................Wendy

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Wendy,
      I sure miss my walking partners. It is pitch black at 5:30 am when I leave to go walking so I look at stars instead of birds. However, there is the ever present Rooster crowing to also keep me company :)

      Delete
    2. Hi Wendy,
      I sure miss my walking partners. It is pitch black at 5:30 am when I leave to go walking so I look at stars instead of birds. However, there is the ever present Rooster crowing to also keep me company :)

      Delete