First Day, Great First Impressions

Our first night in Samoa was that of an interesting one. We arrived at midnight and got picked up about 1am. As we drove to our village, called Tiapapata which was about an hour away, we got a lowdown of the history of Samoa, customs, culture from our new friend Manu, who was the eldest son of the family we were staying with. Sitting in the front seat, hanging my head out of the window, seeing an absolutely clear sky and learning about what comprised of a village (the chief-hood and customs in the family) and just feeling insanely happy- it was a really good start to our visit.

Needless to say, we didn't get much sleep, but heck, who needs sleep!? (that's been my theory for the past 2 months...I think it might be affecting me). Our first full day we had the pleasure of waking up to the smell of fresh made bread- Wendy, the mother who really became our mother, made her own bread, and for our whole visit she cooked for us everyday, and it made us feel so at home and so loved. It was the first time that I can remember that I could taste the love and care in the food I was eating. Maybe I just miss home a bit haha.

The House of Worship, which is the first in the Pacific Islands, one of 7 in the world, is literally in their back yard! It was such a blessing because we didn't have to worry about transport because it was a 2 minute walk down their drive way :) We saw it when we drove to their house during the night, but it was pitch black, so we full on intended to make it out first visit in Samoa. However, the family was going to the beach, and since we didn't really have a plan for our trip and no means of transportation, we decided to go with the flow and hop on the beach wagon. We ended up going to the other side of the island, unknown to us- it only took about 35 minutes to get to- and we visited a black sand beach where the sand looked like sesame. What was a amazing is that the waves crashed miles away, so we were in a bay and were able to snorkel (first time!) which our backs suffered for. To get to any beach we had to go through a village and to go through the village we had to pay, about $10AUS- they chiefs take the money and distribute it to the whole village to use. The beaches in Samoa totally took the cake from Australia- I was completely taken by Aussie's beach, and they are gorgeous, but NOTHING compares to a Pacific Island's water- absolutely clear and the blues are so intensely contrasting that your eyes are just having a feast! We could be 7feet deep and still see our whole body and fish swimming around us. Simply amazing.

We went to a freshwater waterfall afterwards to “clean off.” Jumping off the waterfall was a little daunting, even thought it wasn't a huge jump, the idea of it was still...ek. But soooooo FUN! Gorgeous, gorgeous country. Like everything else, you need to see it to know what I'm talking about! On the way home us white girls sat in the back of the ute (truck) and waved as we drove past the locals. We got fully rained on as we made our way up the hill to home, drenched! We tried to shield ourselves with beach towels, but alas, the rain won :)

If you've never been to a Pacific Island, I high recommend Samoa to be your first. It's just modern enough to not have lost it's own culture. It's a really great balance. And plus, it's paradise.

A Taste of Samoa

Sorry for the delay in stories from Samoa!

It's been hard to get back into the swing of things; still in Island mode I guess :)

Wow. Where to start?!

It was so amazing. Every part of it. The effect of it hit me after I got back to Australia. The whole experience was just unforgettable. The people are so warm and welcoming, and so happy! I had the idea that Samoa was like Hawaii, but it isn't so Western influenced and still has a lot of it's own culture. It's also considered a 3rd world country- it's the first time I've been in a 3rd world country (that I can remember anyway), and at first it was a little weird- like realizing that the little huts on the side of the roads are actually fruit and veggie stands and that there aren't really any markets or shops (until you get into town), but after a while it became just accepted and I loved it! The island takes 3 hrs to go around, about 35-40 minutes to go from one side to the other. The Temple is situated close to the Northern part of the island, closer to Apia. The island has one road with two lanes that circles the whole island with 2 cross streets, and they just got their first traffic lights about 4 months ago :) What was amazing to me was that everyone knew what Baha'i was, that no matter who you talked to they knew about the Temple- such a great influence it can have on that island- being that the late King was also a Baha'i, it could do so much. Just the mere fact that so many people knew about the Faith was mind-blowing because in most all countries, no one knows about the Faith, but Samoa was totally different!

These posts will be in segments, so I'll talk about the House of Worship first!

It's embedded in a sea of greenery. The landscaping is absolutely amazing- it reminded me of the Baha'i Shrines in Haifa, Israel- very organized and systematic in its design. The land is utilized to it's fullest , and uses the native plants and flowers to really “decorate”. The birds that sing around the Temple are so soothing and islander-y :) What amazed me about the landscape was how beautiful it was and how professional it was because it's such a small community there. It's so lush there, such an intense green, bright and intense but warm. I loved sitting in the Temple and looking out through the glass doors of the Temple and just seeing the amazing landscape and green. So beautiful! Words and pictures can't do it justice.

I'll have to do my trip in a couple entries, but as a taste, you should know that my first day in Samoa was a was a day of firsts:

1. first time seeing/going/being in a waterfall (freshwater too)

2. first time having a coconut (juice and flesh)

3. first time being on a boat

4. first time snorkeling

5. and first time sitting in the back of a truck

It was such an amazing trip. Check back soon for the next installment of stories :)

I'm Almost Off to Samoaaaaaa!

Oh my Lord, I haven't written in almost a month?!

Well, if it makes you feel better, I've been really, really busy, so there's a reason! I didn't just abandon the blog :)

January absolutely flew by. We had the youth conference at the beginning, then right after, the Baha'is in our area launched into an intensive period of teaching. Every morning we had individual prayers for 45 minutes, then collective prayers for 45 minutes, followed by a 2 hour study of how to effectively teach the Faith. It was so eye opening- the studying (I felt like my brain was being challenged with in-depth concepts, literally almost exploded sometimes), the focused teaching, the power of prayer...I'm starting to finally understand what it means to be a Baha'i, what it means to teach, what it means to rely on prayer and faith. I grew up with the Baha'i teachings, and it wasn't until recently that I started to fully understand why I am a Baha'i- I've always believed in the teachings and principles, and in Baha'u'llah, but this period of focused serving and teaching and studying has just cemented it in me.

We are in a process of rebuilding our society, our ever-advancing civilization. We are here to know and love God and to understand that we are spiritual beings in charge of taking charge of our spiritual growth. The importance of having spirituality, of having prayer and faith in our lives is so evident in the way society carries itself- we see the materialism seeping through, we see the corruption and the impurity all around us, and what is needed to combat all of this? Spiritual teachings. Actions, thoughts, life, planted with a spiritual basis is what keeps us stable, is what is going to help the society grow and flourish. "The betterment of the world can be accomplished through pure and goodly deeds, through commendable and seemly conduct..."

So, some good Aussie stuff- a couple weeks ago was Australia Day (a bit like Independence Day)- when all the states in Australia united to form one government. We got a day off so we went to the beach to picnic it up. It was really nice- reallyyyy hot weather, but surrounded by good friends and fish and chips, you tend to forget you're sweating more than you have in your entire life. A couple nights ago we went to the beach (Palm Beach no less...you would think they could get more creative...hm) and saw a bunch of dead bluebottle jellyfish! They are actually really pretty. We went into the water to get some pictures, not thinking they were still around, when a couple of the girls got stung. A true Australia experience. It was a gorgeous night. Just the right temperature, and to make it more magical, we got to see the moon rise above the ocean. I know! How awesome?! It's only on the Sydney side (East Coast I guess) where one gets to see the moon rising above the water, not the sun. I'm soooo going to be beach deprived when I get home. I'm quite accustomed to going to the beach at least once a week...and my friends back home would know that I'm not a beach person! So I guess I've been converted :)

Australia is finally feeling like home. I have almost less than 4 months to go before it's back to the US, and quite honestly, I don't know if I'm ready to go! It's crossed my mind to stay longer, but it's still a thought just floating in the background. My life is an open book (I know...still?!), so I should start looking at it as an opportunity to do anything. The thing with "anything" is that my mind starts to go wild with activities...which usually involves traveling which usually involves money. Who knows, I'm still holding out for Oprah to adopt me.

SAMOA!!! It is happening this Friday. It's so not real, I can't seem to wrap my brain around it! I can't believe that a mere idea of traveling with friends is actually happening. I'm so excited to see the House of Worship (http://www.bahaitemplesamoa.org/)-the late King of Samoa was a Baha'i, did you know?- and the waterfalls and beaches! We leave, however, the same day that my dear friend, Betty, is leaving to go back home to China. She's been here just about how long I have, and her presence is very un-missable. She's like a big sister...so I'm pretty sure I'll be happy/sad/crying/laughing the whole day :)

Will defintely put pictures up and have stories- do check back!