Coming to America

Although technically I still live in America, I am returning to the mainland next week! For the first week I'll be in California: San Fran, interviewing candidates to be my replacement, and LA. Week two will be spent in Chicago, where I read it was 22 degrees today. Wow.

NOAA Observatory

On the far east end of the island is a NOAA observatory where the federal government does various weather studies and mind control experiments. It lies on top of a hill overlooking the ocean and besides looking like something from Lost, it has the best manicured lawn in the territory. I mean really impressive shrubbery.


A staircase led down the hill and onto the rocky point below.


The point provided nice views.



Also provided lots of big rocks to climb on.


Click on the photo and try to find the palagis among the rocks.




Looking back at the NOAA observatory hill.


After climbing around we cooled off at the village of Masefau.

Islands in the stream...

... that is what we are ... American Samoa is actually seven islands, I live on the big island of Tutuila and have visited only one other island, Ofu, during Thanksgiving. This weekend a group of us traveled the short distance to Aunu'u. It's visible from Tutuila (below) and can be reached by a 20 minute boat ride.

The first stop on our hike was quicksand lake. Below the shallow surface of the water is gen-u-ine quicksand. Prior to this weekend I didn't really believe in quicksand and thought it only existed in Atari games and movies. Here is Vojik contemplating the murky morass.

Testing out the quicksand, yes, you do sink


The best part of the hike were the tide pools


The waves made this side of the pools not safe for swimming.


Nature's jacuzzi, which provided a nice break after a few hours of hiking.


The group enjoying the view


Pieces of a shipwreck still sitting on the beach


After the hike we visited a shop in town for some cool drinks and were visited by some island children...


and their siblings.


The postcard-ready Aunu'u dock, where we waited for our ride home.


Motoring back to Tutuila, meditating on the complicated melancholy relationship of the American Samoa islands.

When machetes attack

Last weekend, a group of us decided to hike Mount Matafao (below). Prior attempts have been derailed for numerous reasons. Our trip got derailed in the first 15 minutes when I tripped, fell, and ran my hand along a 2 foot machete. [Warning: not-so-graphic photos follow.]














This precipitated a quick trip to Lyndon Baines Johnson Tropical Medical Center.














Fortunately, I happened to have a bandana in my backpack (thank you Alisal Golf Resort) and was able to keep things together as we hiked the short distance back down the mountain and drove to the hospital.


















Sitting outside in the waiting area I tried to warn other children to be careful lest they also fall on over-sized bush clearing equipment. Here's one child throwing caution to the wind.














LBJ did a great job and I was out in no time with a mere 7 stitches in my hand. Here are two of the guys who helped sew me up.














To celebrate the retention of my thumb, I treated myself to a delicious BigMac meal.














Daley and bandaged hand in repose.


















The not-so-gory aftermath all sewn up. My love line, unfortunately, has been decimated.














All in all not too bad. One look at the machete and it's clear that it could have been much worse.

Leaving the island (not me)

Pillars of the palagi community, Aaron and Naomi, left the island this week. People come and go somewhat frequently but this couple has been here for two years so we had a number of festivities to mark the departure. Above, Aaron and me on his last night.

Me, Naomi, and Chase on a mat.














Over the weekend, we celebrated with a day of palagi drinking olympics. The day began with sloshball. Below, the view from the outfield.















Kara, up to bat.














Doug, manning the infield


















The spectators














Snowy!














After sloshball, we did some relay races and moved on to the flip-cup table














Even some youth joined in on the games. Here is one crashing after a day of pounding Sunny-D and purple stuff.


















The sun setting over Nunu and Lions Park. A good day.