Pago Pago Today (Monday, February 1st) - Gone Tomorrow

I say that because tomorrow we cross the International Date Line and Tuesday disappears forever.  We go directly to Wednesday at some point tomorrow.  Very strange.  

Today, we are in Pago Pago, the capital of American Samoa.  It is in the middle of the Pacific Ocean between Hawaii and New Zealand.  We didn’t arrange for an excursion in this port, but opted to explore a little on our own.  

It is in the mid-80s and humid today, but, we were told that the weather was much worse yesterday because there was no breeze.  I’m sweating so I know that I’m healthy (that’s the silver lining for the day). 

We took a walk today and looked around the indoor and outdoor shops and farmer’s market.  There is a district court and high court nearby as well as a Post Office.  The Jean P. Haydon Museum has a beautiful mural on the outside wall and a tree designed in a totem-like fashion.  

We were able to pick up our first (of many) magnets of a “fale” which is a building or home.  Etiquette requires you to remove your shoes or slippers when entering a fale and one should never stand inside a fale when elders are seated.  The people of American Samoa are very religious and it is disrespectful to walk around in short shorts or revealing clothing and one should never wear bathing suits when not on a beach.

Photographs should only be taken of people if you ask and are given permission.  A man was sitting at a bus stop where I stopped for a break from the heat.  He was obviously a Samoan with beautiful cultural tattoos on both arms, hands and legs.  (I’m sure most of you know what I think of tattoos.)  Anyway, I asked him if I could take photos of his arms and legs and discovered he was actually a singer from Western Samoa who was here to record a video.  I thought I was pushy enough by asking and taking the photos so I didn’t press for his name.  I also asked 19-year old Miss American Samoa if I could take a photo with her and she was very gracious and obliged.  

Michael also found his “naked ladies” postcards for our friend who collects postcards.  Because the people are so religious now, these photos are not modern but are from a collection dating back to the 19^th Century through the 1920s. 

 

Michael’s thoughts:  A casual look at the inhabitants did not reveal any relatives that might have been left during my father’s stay in this area during WWII.  Oh well, I’ll keep looking.  Very friendly people and fun to visit here.