American Samoa--We Are Here!

 Talofa! Greetings from American Samoa!

Jim and I arrived on the island on March 31 after spending 3 days in Hawaii for Covid testing. When we arrived in American Samoa, we were tested at the airport and then again 6 days later. It was such a relief to find that we were negative each time so that we weren't delayed again. 

American Samoa is a tropical paradise. It is beautiful; lush and green beyond description combined with the ever changing colors of the ocean. Flowers are abundant as are coconut trees, banana trees, breadfruit trees and passion fruit, guava, and papaya. Pineapple is not in season yet so that is a future treat to experience.

Banana tree

Coconut tree

We are living in Faga'alu (pronounced fahn-ga'alu) which is close to Pago Pago, housed in an apartment next to the LBJ Tropical Medical Center. There are about 12 apartments for medical staff who are here to work at the hospital. We were greeted with a fridge full of food, water, and various other wonderful items to make us feel welcome.We had a welcome visit from Elder and Sister Haleck. They came in with a big box full of baking supplies for chocolate chip cookies. I had previously asked her if one could find chocolate chips on the island. She reassured me that they had chocolate chips. So they brought 3 bags of chocolate chips as well as flour, sugar, baking soda, butter, walnuts, and eggs. To top it off there were newly baked chocolate chip cookies. Delicious! We have slowly been getting our apartment set up with the things we need. Everyone has been so welcoming and excited to have us here.

We received a tour of the hospital facility and were introduced to many of the doctors and staff. Jim spent the week getting acquainted with the hospital personnel and all that is involved in seeing patients, learning the coding system, and even helped in one surgery and saw 4 patients. About 6 weeks ago, there was a Covid outbreak on the island. Up until then, there was no Covid here. So there are many restrictions in place but not a complete lockdown. Businesses are open. Restaurants are only open for take out. Masks are mandated in public. All elective surgery has been cancelled, so it will be a slower start for Jim at the hospital. Hopefully, the infection rate will slow down, allowing life to get back to normal.

The Covid restrictions also include church attendance. So we will be unable to meet with the members for a while, which is sad. We have met a number of members who are employees at different stores and at the hospital. Some will be in our ward so we will recognize a few people. Our ward is the Mesepa International Ward. We look forward to the day we can attend church in American Samoa.

A few "first" experiences and observations of our first week on the island:

1--A stalk of fresh bananas delivered to our door from a banana plantation. They are small yet very sweet bananas. The stalk was very heavy. The bananas had to be cut off in bunches with a knife. I have already made 4 batches of banana bread to give away. 

This other bananas are for baking and are more starchy. I have baked them but not tried them yet.

2--A flood of water into the bedroom from the bathroom as we learn to manipulate the hand held shower head.  

3--5 mice and a rat that joyfully live by the laundry facilities and the neighborhood garbage can.

4--Neighborhood dog named Strangles who protects us from all the other dogs nearby.

Strangles, our friend

5--The battle of the AC remote. Jim is always cold and wants the AC turned off. Helen is always hot and needs air movement. 

6--First experience for Helen with heat exhaustion. American Samoa is hot and humid. We went exploring on the other side of the island. It was only 87 but with the high humidity it was really 98. I guess I didn't drink enough water. I recovered well enough. The heat and humidity is something to which I am adjusting. This IS a tropical rain forest.

6--Many American products are available here, but you will never find them all in one store. There are many mini-marts, grocery stores and even a small Sam's or Costco store called Cost U Less. Right now everyone is waiting for the cargo ship to arrive as shelves are getting low on stock.

7--There are dogs and chickens everywhere. The roosters start cock-a-doodle-doing about 4:30 a.m. The dogs bark in spurts all through the night. When you go on a walk, it is handy to have a stick, trek poles, or a rock as a little bit of intimidation. Our dog, Strangles, won't let any other dogs get near us. She knows us and protects us because we are feeding her dinner while her owner is out of town.

More to come in our next letter from American Samoa!

The LBJ hospital is situated at the end of this inlet.

Mt. Matafao is the highest peak on the island.

Pola Island