Culture Shock [Part Deux] (Written Oct 21 2005)

Today was our first day in our training village of Falevao and it was definitely an experience I will not forget. We started the day by finally moving out of the hotel we have been living in for a week and a half – it was kind of like being in the dorms and then moving out to go home for the summer. We only brought clothes and some personal items – while the rest of our stuff went into storage at the PC Office. After getting into our lavalavas and pulatasi's (dresses for the girls) we were on our way to Falevao. This was also our first time seeing another part of the north rim of Upolu (we didn't see the rim because it was dark when we got off the plane), and basically this place is a sight to behold no matter where you're at. Once we arrived in the village, we went into the fale where the Ava ceremony was going to take place. Onofeia was our high chief and basically he's the best and most well respected talking chief in all of Samoa (only the best here at PC). So while we were not able to follow what was going on during the ceremony, from what we were told Onofeia cut the village chiefs talking into half the amount of time so the ava ceremony only lasted about an hour and a half. Once the ceremony was over, we had our first traditional Samoan dinner and while it didn't look good at first it was very delicious and filling (don't worry, I took pics of the ceremony). Once we were done eating, then we were introduced to our families. The matai (High Chief) of the village was responsible for pairing us up with the families, not the PC. So I met my sister, Taeao (who I later found out was my mother), who then led me to the were my Samoan family lived and it was about a 10 min walk from my house to our falea'oga (school). So now this makes all us volunteers feel like were back in middle school. So my sister helped me carry my bags to the house where I met my sister-in-law and her 16 month girl named Milana and I met my four brothers (who I can't remember their names right now – it's the first day!). I also met my cousin Marcellu who lives in Apia and works for the TV station located there. I have to say, I really like my family. While they don't appear to be the richest of most influential people in the village (although there is a convenient store attached to the house) they seem to be very fun loving and were accepting of me from the moment I stepped into the house. For those that want to know, I don't live in a traditional fale – my house is a fale with a guest room that I am using (which has a lock). The house has electricity and an indoor shower & toilet and the 'n' word has not come up at all here. The culture shock happened for some people when they were encountered with a people who first speak Samoan (K version) and then maybe English. Some trainees who were great in class were drawing blanks when people talked to them – sometimes simulation can't prepare you for the real thing. While I struggled a bit, I used a lot of context clues to figure out what they were talking about (it appears to be a forgotten art form). While I'm thinking about it, the trainees are spread across the entire village so we aren't centralized like in Apia and the part of Falevao that I live in has three other PCTs with me – Andrew, Julya and Bryan. Also, this village isn't designed like any village you may have imagined. Its hard to describe in words (and again, I'll post pics as soon as I can) but the village is very spread out with bits of the village located on both sides of the river (the church [falesa] is located on my side of the river). At 6:30pm there is a curfew in which everyone goes back to their house for dinner and prayer. Let me tell you, you don't know if you know the bible until you've tried reading it in another language and trying to figure out what is it talking about. So I read from my first Samoan bible today and I didn't do to badly (but definitely didn't do great) but it was cool doing that aloud with other members of the family (we read Matthew 25:32-40, ironic huh?) and I'll be doing it every night that I'm here. We also watched the boxing match featuring David "Tuaman" Tua who is a national icon in Samoa (he won and the people were happy – everyone in the village was watching this fight). But today just reaffirmed my reason for bring in Samoa – to help these people. Being in Apia can easily wear you down, but when you go to a village it helps put things in perspective (the whole island is NOT like Apia) and renews your energy a bit. Its only the first day, so I won't make any grand hopes or wishes, but so far so good. And while nothing, and no one will ever replace my family in the states its good to have a Samoan aiga (family). Fa!