The End

I have been told that all good things must come to an end. Well, a really great thing for me is ending - My Year in American Samoa. I was not sure that I was going to make it my first two weeks - a six hour delayed flight to Pago (4 am arrival), a shattered windshield four days after buying my car and then almost drowning on my birthday - not a good start to my adventure. However, I am sure glad that I stuck around for the year - cause it has been one of the best years of my life. I am going to miss this place a lot, the High Court, my drive to work, the wild dogs and especially my friends on the island.Without them it would not have been such an amazing experience. So all that is left is for me to get on the flight and give a big Fa'afetai tele lava to everyone. Fa you later!

A Perfect Day

My last full day in Am Sam was sad, but great. I stayed at the Castro's B&B. I highly recommend it. Freddie cooked me breakfast, we chilled out and watched TV for awhile. Then a group of us went to Airport Beach. The weather was great as well as the blowholes. New Guy sprung for my last meal - which I should have know was a bad idea. He combined two Double Quarter Pounders with Cheese. He called it the Pounder. I ate it (had to - a matter of pride). However, I felt so sick. I was actually sweating trying to digest it. I finally had to pull the trigger in the bushes - I felt much better. That night we played some poker at New Guy's place. I won, sweet. I don't think they let me win cause the Samoan gods were looking over me - during the night I got four of a kind twice - including four aces. Awesome. Why am I leaving?

Fa'alavelave

Nate with the help of the Association organized a (surprise) palagi Fa'alavelave for me. A Fa'alavelave is a traditional Samoan celebration normally associated with funerals or weddings. As I was going off-island, it was my funeral. It started with a funeral procession- we drove around the neighborhood - and cars even pulled over for us. We went to New Guy's place, which they had transformed into a Samoan fale - palms and all. They also made T-shirts. After I got over my initial shock, they started with the presentation of the gifts.Nate served as the High Bullshit Talking Chief and thanked everyone for the wonderful words and gifts. The gifts and food was great, but then, they took it over the top. They presented a Size 2 pig.It was awesome. The feast began. I got to carve the pig.Thank goodness Leti was able to help me out. I had a great time and it was just so amazing that my friends organized this for me. It was the best send off I could have imagined.

Am Sam in the News

Am Sam is all over the news - first our Delegate appeared on the Colbert Report. Nice going Eni. Then the Washington Post ran a story about Am Sam and their obsession over football. And now, we are going to get our own stamp? Wow. Perhaps I picked a bad time to leave this lava rock.

Gonzo is Gone!

After four years, Gonzalo Iglesis aka the Badger is leaving Am Sam. It is a major loss for the island. At times the Badger would hide in his den playing video games all night, but when the Badger made an appearance - watch out - fun times have arrived. We all enjoy the official Badger song, and New Guy made a T-Shirt for Gonzo. Nate made one as well - but I didn't get a picture of it. After the Mexican Fiesta last weekend, Gonzo and Max hosted a Pizza Party. Good times with Dancing. While New Guy doesn't really know how to smoke, he sure can KRUMP IT.
Gonzo, good luck in Argentina and we miss you already...