17/7/12 Tuesday 7:00 PM

After almost two full days of flights and layovers I’m in American Samoa safe and sound. It feels so good to be back in the southern hemisphere. The nights have been cloudy, so no stargazing yet, but looking forward to seeing those southern constellations again.

After getting in at night we woke up to find that the school we’re staying at, Nu’uuli Vocational Technical High School, fronts onto the pacific and is surrounded by mountains. Our 6 star accommodations consists of thin little pads to sleep on, which are actually really comfy, a kitchen, a guys bathroom with two heads and a toilet, and a shower room that has two sort of sections wih four spigots and no privacy. Livin’ large.

Nu'uuli VocTech High School

The view across the street just after sunrise

Shower cabin, boys are on the left

Kitchen at breakfast, busy place

We had out first day of orientation today which consisted of us playing name games, going over the History of WorldTeach, and getting split into groups and exploring a few of the towns around Pago Harbor without any sort of supervision. Our field director, Veronica, is really nice and smart and will take good care of us this year. We also have two alums named Jenn and Allison who will be in and out during our orientation.

Utulei beach on the west side of Pago Harbor

Our groups were assigned tasks that forced us to talk to the locals, who are all very friendly and will smile and wave at you or help you find the post office. One of the tasks everyone had was to buy an I’e lavalava, which I still don’t know how to tie properly. We also got to try out the aiga buses, which are all painted colorfully and have cool names.

Pago Post office!!

Some are flamey

We went over the schedule for orientation which will be an intensive few weeks, but I think it will all be helpful and will help to bond our group, just in time for us to be sent all over the islands haha. The people here are an eclectic mix with all levels of teaching and travel experience. Looking forward to making some good friends to visit all over and travel with during the year.

All the fabrics at the Tutuila store in Fagotaga, where we got our lavalavas

This whole experience finally feels real, even if its mostly surreal, and I can’t believe I’m lucky enough to be living here for the next year. I’ll try to keep this up as much as possible, as I said last time keep pestering me to update. Bear hugs from the southern hemisphere!!

Mike

Oh yeah,  there was a rainbow...