After attending the Pacific Arts Festival in American Samoa, I spent 10 days in Samoa. In the late 1990s, I had spent three years in Samoa as a Peace Corps Volunteer, teaching Chemistry, Math and Physics at a school in a village called Moamoa. I was concerned that 10 years of change could have taken the country in an undesirable direction, but was very pleased to experience that most changes are positive - and most other things haven't changed.
There are 2 new traffic lights, but apparently one hasn't been working for at least 3 months. There are lots more cars and cell phones, but there is also a ban on plastic bags (they have all been replaced by the ubiquitous biodegradable "Samoan Bio-Bag"). The police band still marches from the police station to the government building each morning and plays the national anthem while raising the flag. Afternoons in the villages are characterised by rugby and volleyball games and spontaneous uproars of laughter. Sundays are still reserved for God, and the singing in every church is of professional caliber - simply amazing.
I met up with several former students in town, many of whom are working for the government (Water Authority, Attorney General, Fisheries), private sector (e.g., architectural firms, hospitality industry), and a few who are carrying on the fa'asamoa (Samoan way) to the next generation by preserving the art of traditional tattooing, or teaching the Samoan language and culture in schools.
I have posted a few photos. If you would like to see more, click here.
