Zend_View Object
(
[_useViewStream:Zend_View:private] => 1
[_useStreamWrapper:Zend_View:private] =>
[_path:Zend_View_Abstract:private] => Array
(
[script] => Array
(
[0] => /srv/www/tl-www/website/application/layouts/scripts/
[1] => /srv/www/tl-www/website/application/layouts/scripts/
[2] => /srv/www/tl-www/website/application/modules/home/views/scripts/
[3] => ./views/scripts/
)
[helper] => Array
(
)
[filter] => Array
(
)
)
[_file:Zend_View_Abstract:private] => /srv/www/tl-www/website/application/layouts/scripts/home/bodyReports.phtml
[_helper:Zend_View_Abstract:private] => Array
(
[HeadMeta] => Zend_View_Helper_HeadMeta Object
(
[_typeKeys:protected] => Array
(
[0] => name
[1] => http-equiv
[2] => charset
[3] => property
)
[_requiredKeys:protected] => Array
(
[0] => content
)
[_modifierKeys:protected] => Array
(
[0] => lang
[1] => scheme
)
[_regKey:protected] => Zend_View_Helper_HeadMeta
[_container:protected] => Zend_View_Helper_Placeholder_Container Object
(
[_prefix:protected] =>
[_postfix:protected] =>
[_separator:protected] =>
[_indent:protected] =>
[_captureLock:protected] =>
[_captureType:protected] =>
[_captureKey:protected] =>
[storage:ArrayObject:private] => Array
(
[1] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => name
[name] => robots
[content] => noindex,follow
[modifiers] => Array
(
)
)
)
)
[_registry:protected] => Zend_View_Helper_Placeholder_Registry Object
(
[_containerClass:protected] => Zend_View_Helper_Placeholder_Container
[_items:protected] => Array
(
[Zend_Layout] => Zend_View_Helper_Placeholder_Container Object
(
[_prefix:protected] =>
[_postfix:protected] =>
[_separator:protected] =>
[_indent:protected] =>
[_captureLock:protected] =>
[_captureType:protected] =>
[_captureKey:protected] =>
[storage:ArrayObject:private] => Array
(
[content] =>
Recente reisverslagen uit Samoa
)
)
[Zend_View_Helper_HeadMeta] => Zend_View_Helper_Placeholder_Container Object
(
[_prefix:protected] =>
[_postfix:protected] =>
[_separator:protected] =>
[_indent:protected] =>
[_captureLock:protected] =>
[_captureType:protected] =>
[_captureKey:protected] =>
[storage:ArrayObject:private] => Array
(
[1] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => name
[name] => robots
[content] => noindex,follow
[modifiers] => Array
(
)
)
)
)
[Zend_View_Helper_HeadLink] => Zend_View_Helper_Placeholder_Container Object
(
[_prefix:protected] =>
[_postfix:protected] =>
[_separator:protected] =>
[_indent:protected] =>
[_captureLock:protected] =>
[_captureType:protected] =>
[_captureKey:protected] =>
[storage:ArrayObject:private] => Array
(
)
)
[Zend_View_Helper_HeadScript] => Zend_View_Helper_Placeholder_Container Object
(
[_prefix:protected] =>
[_postfix:protected] =>
[_separator:protected] =>
[_indent:protected] =>
[_captureLock:protected] =>
[_captureType:protected] =>
[_captureKey:protected] =>
[storage:ArrayObject:private] => Array
(
[0] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/custom/ui/exampleHintText.js
)
[source] =>
)
[1] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/jquery.mousewheel.js
)
[source] =>
)
[2] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/json2.js
)
[source] =>
)
[3] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/jquery.cycle.lite.js
)
[source] =>
)
[4] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/jquery.jscrollpane.min.js
)
[source] =>
)
[5] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/jquery-ui-1.8.16.custom.min.js
)
[source] =>
)
[6] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/jquery.tagify.js
)
[source] =>
)
[7] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/local/jquery.validationEngine-nl.js
)
[source] =>
)
[8] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/jquery.validationEngine.js
)
[source] =>
)
[9] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/jquery.fileupload.js
)
[source] =>
)
[10] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/jquery.iframe-transport.js
)
[source] =>
)
[11] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/jquery.tools.min.js
)
[source] =>
)
[12] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/jquery.prettyPhoto.js
)
[source] =>
)
[13] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/jquery.ba-dotimeout.min.js
)
[source] =>
)
[14] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/jquery.store.js
)
[source] =>
)
[15] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/jquery.cookie.js
)
[source] =>
)
[16] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/jquery.miniColors.js
)
[source] =>
)
[17] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/jquery.tmpl.js
)
[source] =>
)
[18] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/jquery.textCounter.js
)
[source] =>
)
[19] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/jquery.rotate.js
)
[source] =>
)
[20] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/jquery.easyBGResizer.js
)
[source] =>
)
[21] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/external/aurigma/aurigma.uploader.js
)
[source] =>
)
[22] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/external/aurigma/aurigma.uploader.installationprogress.js
)
[source] =>
)
[23] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/external/aurigma/local/aurigma.uploader.nl_localization.js
)
[source] =>
)
[24] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/jquery.ad-gallery.js
)
[source] =>
)
[25] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/custom/gmaps.js
)
[source] =>
)
[26] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/custom/googleMapsNew.js
)
[source] =>
)
[27] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/custom/entity/Callback.js
)
[source] =>
)
[28] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/custom/entity/Entity.js
)
[source] =>
)
[29] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/custom/setup.js
)
[source] =>
)
[30] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/jquery-example.js
)
[source] =>
)
[31] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/jquery.tooltip.min.js
)
[source] =>
)
[32] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/local/jquery.ui.datepicker-nl.js
)
[source] =>
)
[33] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/custom/bas.js
)
[source] =>
)
[34] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/custom/team.js
)
[source] =>
)
)
)
[Zend_View_Helper_InlineScript] => Zend_View_Helper_Placeholder_Container Object
(
[_prefix:protected] =>
[_postfix:protected] =>
[_separator:protected] =>
[_indent:protected] =>
[_captureLock:protected] =>
[_captureType:protected] =>
[_captureKey:protected] =>
[storage:ArrayObject:private] => Array
(
[0] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/tmpl.min.js
)
[source] =>
)
[1] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/load-image.min.js
)
[source] =>
)
[2] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/bootstrap.min.js
)
[source] =>
)
[3] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/jquery.iframe-transport.js
)
[source] =>
)
[4] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/jquery.fileupload.js
)
[source] =>
)
[5] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/jquery.fileupload-ui.js
)
[source] =>
)
[6] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/custom/fileUploadCustomSettings.js
)
[source] =>
)
[7] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/jquery.timeago.js
)
[source] =>
)
[8] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/local/jquery.timeago.nl.js
)
[source] =>
)
[9] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/fileuploader.js
)
[source] =>
)
[10] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/custom/entity/upload.js
)
[source] =>
)
[11] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/custom/classes/SortableEntities.js
)
[source] =>
)
[12] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/custom/unoslider.js
)
[source] =>
)
[13] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/custom/shop.js
)
[source] =>
)
[14] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/custom/classes/PortalTicker.js
)
[source] =>
)
[15] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/custom/afterLoading.js
)
[source] =>
)
[16] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/custom/commentValidation.js
)
[source] =>
)
[17] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/custom/clubs.js
)
[source] =>
)
)
)
[Zend_View_Helper_HeadTitle] => Zend_View_Helper_Placeholder_Container Object
(
[_prefix:protected] =>
[_postfix:protected] =>
[_separator:protected] => -
[_indent:protected] =>
[_captureLock:protected] =>
[_captureType:protected] =>
[_captureKey:protected] =>
[storage:ArrayObject:private] => Array
(
[0] => Reisverslagen over Samoa
[1] => WaarBenJij.nu
)
)
)
)
[_autoEscape:protected] => 1
[view] => Zend_View Object
*RECURSION*
)
[Doctype] => Zend_View_Helper_Doctype Object
(
[_defaultDoctype:protected] => HTML4_LOOSE
[_registry:protected] => ArrayObject Object
(
[storage:ArrayObject:private] => Array
(
[doctypes] => Array
(
[XHTML11] =>
[XHTML1_STRICT] =>
[XHTML1_TRANSITIONAL] =>
[XHTML1_FRAMESET] =>
[XHTML1_RDFA] =>
[XHTML_BASIC1] =>
[XHTML5] =>
[HTML4_STRICT] =>
[HTML4_LOOSE] =>
[HTML4_FRAMESET] =>
[HTML5] =>
)
[doctype] => HTML4_LOOSE
)
)
[_regKey:protected] => Zend_View_Helper_Doctype
[view] => Zend_View Object
*RECURSION*
)
[HeadLink] => Zend_View_Helper_HeadLink Object
(
[_itemKeys:protected] => Array
(
[0] => charset
[1] => href
[2] => hreflang
[3] => id
[4] => media
[5] => rel
[6] => rev
[7] => type
[8] => title
[9] => extras
[10] => sizes
)
[_regKey:protected] => Zend_View_Helper_HeadLink
[_container:protected] => Zend_View_Helper_Placeholder_Container Object
(
[_prefix:protected] =>
[_postfix:protected] =>
[_separator:protected] =>
[_indent:protected] =>
[_captureLock:protected] =>
[_captureType:protected] =>
[_captureKey:protected] =>
[storage:ArrayObject:private] => Array
(
)
)
[_registry:protected] => Zend_View_Helper_Placeholder_Registry Object
(
[_containerClass:protected] => Zend_View_Helper_Placeholder_Container
[_items:protected] => Array
(
[Zend_Layout] => Zend_View_Helper_Placeholder_Container Object
(
[_prefix:protected] =>
[_postfix:protected] =>
[_separator:protected] =>
[_indent:protected] =>
[_captureLock:protected] =>
[_captureType:protected] =>
[_captureKey:protected] =>
[storage:ArrayObject:private] => Array
(
[content] =>
Recente reisverslagen uit Samoa
)
)
[Zend_View_Helper_HeadMeta] => Zend_View_Helper_Placeholder_Container Object
(
[_prefix:protected] =>
[_postfix:protected] =>
[_separator:protected] =>
[_indent:protected] =>
[_captureLock:protected] =>
[_captureType:protected] =>
[_captureKey:protected] =>
[storage:ArrayObject:private] => Array
(
[1] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => name
[name] => robots
[content] => noindex,follow
[modifiers] => Array
(
)
)
)
)
[Zend_View_Helper_HeadLink] => Zend_View_Helper_Placeholder_Container Object
(
[_prefix:protected] =>
[_postfix:protected] =>
[_separator:protected] =>
[_indent:protected] =>
[_captureLock:protected] =>
[_captureType:protected] =>
[_captureKey:protected] =>
[storage:ArrayObject:private] => Array
(
)
)
[Zend_View_Helper_HeadScript] => Zend_View_Helper_Placeholder_Container Object
(
[_prefix:protected] =>
[_postfix:protected] =>
[_separator:protected] =>
[_indent:protected] =>
[_captureLock:protected] =>
[_captureType:protected] =>
[_captureKey:protected] =>
[storage:ArrayObject:private] => Array
(
[0] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/custom/ui/exampleHintText.js
)
[source] =>
)
[1] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/jquery.mousewheel.js
)
[source] =>
)
[2] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/json2.js
)
[source] =>
)
[3] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/jquery.cycle.lite.js
)
[source] =>
)
[4] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/jquery.jscrollpane.min.js
)
[source] =>
)
[5] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/jquery-ui-1.8.16.custom.min.js
)
[source] =>
)
[6] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/jquery.tagify.js
)
[source] =>
)
[7] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/local/jquery.validationEngine-nl.js
)
[source] =>
)
[8] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/jquery.validationEngine.js
)
[source] =>
)
[9] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/jquery.fileupload.js
)
[source] =>
)
[10] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/jquery.iframe-transport.js
)
[source] =>
)
[11] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/jquery.tools.min.js
)
[source] =>
)
[12] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/jquery.prettyPhoto.js
)
[source] =>
)
[13] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/jquery.ba-dotimeout.min.js
)
[source] =>
)
[14] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/jquery.store.js
)
[source] =>
)
[15] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/jquery.cookie.js
)
[source] =>
)
[16] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/jquery.miniColors.js
)
[source] =>
)
[17] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/jquery.tmpl.js
)
[source] =>
)
[18] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/jquery.textCounter.js
)
[source] =>
)
[19] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/jquery.rotate.js
)
[source] =>
)
[20] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/jquery.easyBGResizer.js
)
[source] =>
)
[21] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/external/aurigma/aurigma.uploader.js
)
[source] =>
)
[22] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/external/aurigma/aurigma.uploader.installationprogress.js
)
[source] =>
)
[23] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/external/aurigma/local/aurigma.uploader.nl_localization.js
)
[source] =>
)
[24] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/jquery.ad-gallery.js
)
[source] =>
)
[25] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/custom/gmaps.js
)
[source] =>
)
[26] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/custom/googleMapsNew.js
)
[source] =>
)
[27] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/custom/entity/Callback.js
)
[source] =>
)
[28] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/custom/entity/Entity.js
)
[source] =>
)
[29] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/custom/setup.js
)
[source] =>
)
[30] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/jquery-example.js
)
[source] =>
)
[31] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/jquery.tooltip.min.js
)
[source] =>
)
[32] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/local/jquery.ui.datepicker-nl.js
)
[source] =>
)
[33] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/custom/bas.js
)
[source] =>
)
[34] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/custom/team.js
)
[source] =>
)
)
)
[Zend_View_Helper_InlineScript] => Zend_View_Helper_Placeholder_Container Object
(
[_prefix:protected] =>
[_postfix:protected] =>
[_separator:protected] =>
[_indent:protected] =>
[_captureLock:protected] =>
[_captureType:protected] =>
[_captureKey:protected] =>
[storage:ArrayObject:private] => Array
(
[0] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/tmpl.min.js
)
[source] =>
)
[1] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/load-image.min.js
)
[source] =>
)
[2] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/bootstrap.min.js
)
[source] =>
)
[3] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/jquery.iframe-transport.js
)
[source] =>
)
[4] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/jquery.fileupload.js
)
[source] =>
)
[5] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/jquery.fileupload-ui.js
)
[source] =>
)
[6] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/custom/fileUploadCustomSettings.js
)
[source] =>
)
[7] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/jquery.timeago.js
)
[source] =>
)
[8] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/local/jquery.timeago.nl.js
)
[source] =>
)
[9] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/fileuploader.js
)
[source] =>
)
[10] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/custom/entity/upload.js
)
[source] =>
)
[11] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/custom/classes/SortableEntities.js
)
[source] =>
)
[12] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/custom/unoslider.js
)
[source] =>
)
[13] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/custom/shop.js
)
[source] =>
)
[14] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/custom/classes/PortalTicker.js
)
[source] =>
)
[15] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/custom/afterLoading.js
)
[source] =>
)
[16] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/custom/commentValidation.js
)
[source] =>
)
[17] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/custom/clubs.js
)
[source] =>
)
)
)
[Zend_View_Helper_HeadTitle] => Zend_View_Helper_Placeholder_Container Object
(
[_prefix:protected] =>
[_postfix:protected] =>
[_separator:protected] => -
[_indent:protected] =>
[_captureLock:protected] =>
[_captureType:protected] =>
[_captureKey:protected] =>
[storage:ArrayObject:private] => Array
(
[0] => Reisverslagen over Samoa
[1] => WaarBenJij.nu
)
)
)
)
[_autoEscape:protected] => 1
[view] => Zend_View Object
*RECURSION*
)
[HeadScript] => Zend_View_Helper_HeadScript Object
(
[_regKey:protected] => Zend_View_Helper_HeadScript
[_arbitraryAttributes:protected] =>
[_captureLock:protected] =>
[_captureScriptType:protected] =>
[_captureScriptAttrs:protected] =>
[_captureType:protected] =>
[_optionalAttributes:protected] => Array
(
[0] => charset
[1] => defer
[2] => language
[3] => src
)
[_requiredAttributes:protected] => Array
(
[0] => type
)
[useCdata] =>
[_container:protected] => Zend_View_Helper_Placeholder_Container Object
(
[_prefix:protected] =>
[_postfix:protected] =>
[_separator:protected] =>
[_indent:protected] =>
[_captureLock:protected] =>
[_captureType:protected] =>
[_captureKey:protected] =>
[storage:ArrayObject:private] => Array
(
[0] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/custom/ui/exampleHintText.js
)
[source] =>
)
[1] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/jquery.mousewheel.js
)
[source] =>
)
[2] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/json2.js
)
[source] =>
)
[3] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/jquery.cycle.lite.js
)
[source] =>
)
[4] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/jquery.jscrollpane.min.js
)
[source] =>
)
[5] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/jquery-ui-1.8.16.custom.min.js
)
[source] =>
)
[6] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/jquery.tagify.js
)
[source] =>
)
[7] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/local/jquery.validationEngine-nl.js
)
[source] =>
)
[8] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/jquery.validationEngine.js
)
[source] =>
)
[9] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/jquery.fileupload.js
)
[source] =>
)
[10] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/jquery.iframe-transport.js
)
[source] =>
)
[11] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/jquery.tools.min.js
)
[source] =>
)
[12] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/jquery.prettyPhoto.js
)
[source] =>
)
[13] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/jquery.ba-dotimeout.min.js
)
[source] =>
)
[14] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/jquery.store.js
)
[source] =>
)
[15] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/jquery.cookie.js
)
[source] =>
)
[16] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/jquery.miniColors.js
)
[source] =>
)
[17] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/jquery.tmpl.js
)
[source] =>
)
[18] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/jquery.textCounter.js
)
[source] =>
)
[19] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/jquery.rotate.js
)
[source] =>
)
[20] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/jquery.easyBGResizer.js
)
[source] =>
)
[21] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/external/aurigma/aurigma.uploader.js
)
[source] =>
)
[22] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/external/aurigma/aurigma.uploader.installationprogress.js
)
[source] =>
)
[23] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/external/aurigma/local/aurigma.uploader.nl_localization.js
)
[source] =>
)
[24] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/jquery.ad-gallery.js
)
[source] =>
)
[25] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/custom/gmaps.js
)
[source] =>
)
[26] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/custom/googleMapsNew.js
)
[source] =>
)
[27] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/custom/entity/Callback.js
)
[source] =>
)
[28] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/custom/entity/Entity.js
)
[source] =>
)
[29] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/custom/setup.js
)
[source] =>
)
[30] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/jquery-example.js
)
[source] =>
)
[31] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/jquery.tooltip.min.js
)
[source] =>
)
[32] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/local/jquery.ui.datepicker-nl.js
)
[source] =>
)
[33] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/custom/bas.js
)
[source] =>
)
[34] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/custom/team.js
)
[source] =>
)
)
)
[_registry:protected] => Zend_View_Helper_Placeholder_Registry Object
(
[_containerClass:protected] => Zend_View_Helper_Placeholder_Container
[_items:protected] => Array
(
[Zend_Layout] => Zend_View_Helper_Placeholder_Container Object
(
[_prefix:protected] =>
[_postfix:protected] =>
[_separator:protected] =>
[_indent:protected] =>
[_captureLock:protected] =>
[_captureType:protected] =>
[_captureKey:protected] =>
[storage:ArrayObject:private] => Array
(
[content] =>
Recente reisverslagen uit Samoa
)
)
[Zend_View_Helper_HeadMeta] => Zend_View_Helper_Placeholder_Container Object
(
[_prefix:protected] =>
[_postfix:protected] =>
[_separator:protected] =>
[_indent:protected] =>
[_captureLock:protected] =>
[_captureType:protected] =>
[_captureKey:protected] =>
[storage:ArrayObject:private] => Array
(
[1] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => name
[name] => robots
[content] => noindex,follow
[modifiers] => Array
(
)
)
)
)
[Zend_View_Helper_HeadLink] => Zend_View_Helper_Placeholder_Container Object
(
[_prefix:protected] =>
[_postfix:protected] =>
[_separator:protected] =>
[_indent:protected] =>
[_captureLock:protected] =>
[_captureType:protected] =>
[_captureKey:protected] =>
[storage:ArrayObject:private] => Array
(
)
)
[Zend_View_Helper_HeadScript] => Zend_View_Helper_Placeholder_Container Object
(
[_prefix:protected] =>
[_postfix:protected] =>
[_separator:protected] =>
[_indent:protected] =>
[_captureLock:protected] =>
[_captureType:protected] =>
[_captureKey:protected] =>
[storage:ArrayObject:private] => Array
(
[0] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/custom/ui/exampleHintText.js
)
[source] =>
)
[1] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/jquery.mousewheel.js
)
[source] =>
)
[2] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/json2.js
)
[source] =>
)
[3] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/jquery.cycle.lite.js
)
[source] =>
)
[4] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/jquery.jscrollpane.min.js
)
[source] =>
)
[5] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/jquery-ui-1.8.16.custom.min.js
)
[source] =>
)
[6] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/jquery.tagify.js
)
[source] =>
)
[7] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/local/jquery.validationEngine-nl.js
)
[source] =>
)
[8] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/jquery.validationEngine.js
)
[source] =>
)
[9] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/jquery.fileupload.js
)
[source] =>
)
[10] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/jquery.iframe-transport.js
)
[source] =>
)
[11] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/jquery.tools.min.js
)
[source] =>
)
[12] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/jquery.prettyPhoto.js
)
[source] =>
)
[13] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/jquery.ba-dotimeout.min.js
)
[source] =>
)
[14] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/jquery.store.js
)
[source] =>
)
[15] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/jquery.cookie.js
)
[source] =>
)
[16] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/jquery.miniColors.js
)
[source] =>
)
[17] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/jquery.tmpl.js
)
[source] =>
)
[18] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/jquery.textCounter.js
)
[source] =>
)
[19] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/jquery.rotate.js
)
[source] =>
)
[20] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/jquery.easyBGResizer.js
)
[source] =>
)
[21] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/external/aurigma/aurigma.uploader.js
)
[source] =>
)
[22] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/external/aurigma/aurigma.uploader.installationprogress.js
)
[source] =>
)
[23] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/external/aurigma/local/aurigma.uploader.nl_localization.js
)
[source] =>
)
[24] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/jquery.ad-gallery.js
)
[source] =>
)
[25] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/custom/gmaps.js
)
[source] =>
)
[26] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/custom/googleMapsNew.js
)
[source] =>
)
[27] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/custom/entity/Callback.js
)
[source] =>
)
[28] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/custom/entity/Entity.js
)
[source] =>
)
[29] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/custom/setup.js
)
[source] =>
)
[30] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/jquery-example.js
)
[source] =>
)
[31] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/jquery.tooltip.min.js
)
[source] =>
)
[32] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/local/jquery.ui.datepicker-nl.js
)
[source] =>
)
[33] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/custom/bas.js
)
[source] =>
)
[34] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/custom/team.js
)
[source] =>
)
)
)
[Zend_View_Helper_InlineScript] => Zend_View_Helper_Placeholder_Container Object
(
[_prefix:protected] =>
[_postfix:protected] =>
[_separator:protected] =>
[_indent:protected] =>
[_captureLock:protected] =>
[_captureType:protected] =>
[_captureKey:protected] =>
[storage:ArrayObject:private] => Array
(
[0] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/tmpl.min.js
)
[source] =>
)
[1] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/load-image.min.js
)
[source] =>
)
[2] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/bootstrap.min.js
)
[source] =>
)
[3] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/jquery.iframe-transport.js
)
[source] =>
)
[4] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/jquery.fileupload.js
)
[source] =>
)
[5] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/jquery.fileupload-ui.js
)
[source] =>
)
[6] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/custom/fileUploadCustomSettings.js
)
[source] =>
)
[7] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/jquery.timeago.js
)
[source] =>
)
[8] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/local/jquery.timeago.nl.js
)
[source] =>
)
[9] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/fileuploader.js
)
[source] =>
)
[10] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/custom/entity/upload.js
)
[source] =>
)
[11] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/custom/classes/SortableEntities.js
)
[source] =>
)
[12] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/custom/unoslider.js
)
[source] =>
)
[13] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/custom/shop.js
)
[source] =>
)
[14] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/custom/classes/PortalTicker.js
)
[source] =>
)
[15] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/custom/afterLoading.js
)
[source] =>
)
[16] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/custom/commentValidation.js
)
[source] =>
)
[17] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/custom/clubs.js
)
[source] =>
)
)
)
[Zend_View_Helper_HeadTitle] => Zend_View_Helper_Placeholder_Container Object
(
[_prefix:protected] =>
[_postfix:protected] =>
[_separator:protected] => -
[_indent:protected] =>
[_captureLock:protected] =>
[_captureType:protected] =>
[_captureKey:protected] =>
[storage:ArrayObject:private] => Array
(
[0] => Reisverslagen over Samoa
[1] => WaarBenJij.nu
)
)
)
)
[_autoEscape:protected] => 1
[view] => Zend_View Object
*RECURSION*
)
[InlineScript] => Zend_View_Helper_InlineScript Object
(
[_regKey:protected] => Zend_View_Helper_InlineScript
[_arbitraryAttributes:protected] =>
[_captureLock:protected] =>
[_captureScriptType:protected] =>
[_captureScriptAttrs:protected] =>
[_captureType:protected] =>
[_optionalAttributes:protected] => Array
(
[0] => charset
[1] => defer
[2] => language
[3] => src
)
[_requiredAttributes:protected] => Array
(
[0] => type
)
[useCdata] =>
[_container:protected] => Zend_View_Helper_Placeholder_Container Object
(
[_prefix:protected] =>
[_postfix:protected] =>
[_separator:protected] =>
[_indent:protected] =>
[_captureLock:protected] =>
[_captureType:protected] =>
[_captureKey:protected] =>
[storage:ArrayObject:private] => Array
(
[0] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/tmpl.min.js
)
[source] =>
)
[1] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/load-image.min.js
)
[source] =>
)
[2] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/bootstrap.min.js
)
[source] =>
)
[3] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/jquery.iframe-transport.js
)
[source] =>
)
[4] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/jquery.fileupload.js
)
[source] =>
)
[5] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/jquery.fileupload-ui.js
)
[source] =>
)
[6] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/custom/fileUploadCustomSettings.js
)
[source] =>
)
[7] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/jquery.timeago.js
)
[source] =>
)
[8] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/local/jquery.timeago.nl.js
)
[source] =>
)
[9] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/fileuploader.js
)
[source] =>
)
[10] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/custom/entity/upload.js
)
[source] =>
)
[11] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/custom/classes/SortableEntities.js
)
[source] =>
)
[12] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/custom/unoslider.js
)
[source] =>
)
[13] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/custom/shop.js
)
[source] =>
)
[14] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/custom/classes/PortalTicker.js
)
[source] =>
)
[15] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/custom/afterLoading.js
)
[source] =>
)
[16] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/custom/commentValidation.js
)
[source] =>
)
[17] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/custom/clubs.js
)
[source] =>
)
)
)
[_registry:protected] => Zend_View_Helper_Placeholder_Registry Object
(
[_containerClass:protected] => Zend_View_Helper_Placeholder_Container
[_items:protected] => Array
(
[Zend_Layout] => Zend_View_Helper_Placeholder_Container Object
(
[_prefix:protected] =>
[_postfix:protected] =>
[_separator:protected] =>
[_indent:protected] =>
[_captureLock:protected] =>
[_captureType:protected] =>
[_captureKey:protected] =>
[storage:ArrayObject:private] => Array
(
[content] =>
Recente reisverslagen uit Samoa
)
)
[Zend_View_Helper_HeadMeta] => Zend_View_Helper_Placeholder_Container Object
(
[_prefix:protected] =>
[_postfix:protected] =>
[_separator:protected] =>
[_indent:protected] =>
[_captureLock:protected] =>
[_captureType:protected] =>
[_captureKey:protected] =>
[storage:ArrayObject:private] => Array
(
[1] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => name
[name] => robots
[content] => noindex,follow
[modifiers] => Array
(
)
)
)
)
[Zend_View_Helper_HeadLink] => Zend_View_Helper_Placeholder_Container Object
(
[_prefix:protected] =>
[_postfix:protected] =>
[_separator:protected] =>
[_indent:protected] =>
[_captureLock:protected] =>
[_captureType:protected] =>
[_captureKey:protected] =>
[storage:ArrayObject:private] => Array
(
)
)
[Zend_View_Helper_HeadScript] => Zend_View_Helper_Placeholder_Container Object
(
[_prefix:protected] =>
[_postfix:protected] =>
[_separator:protected] =>
[_indent:protected] =>
[_captureLock:protected] =>
[_captureType:protected] =>
[_captureKey:protected] =>
[storage:ArrayObject:private] => Array
(
[0] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/custom/ui/exampleHintText.js
)
[source] =>
)
[1] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/jquery.mousewheel.js
)
[source] =>
)
[2] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/json2.js
)
[source] =>
)
[3] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/jquery.cycle.lite.js
)
[source] =>
)
[4] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/jquery.jscrollpane.min.js
)
[source] =>
)
[5] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/jquery-ui-1.8.16.custom.min.js
)
[source] =>
)
[6] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/jquery.tagify.js
)
[source] =>
)
[7] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/local/jquery.validationEngine-nl.js
)
[source] =>
)
[8] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/jquery.validationEngine.js
)
[source] =>
)
[9] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/jquery.fileupload.js
)
[source] =>
)
[10] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/jquery.iframe-transport.js
)
[source] =>
)
[11] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/jquery.tools.min.js
)
[source] =>
)
[12] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/jquery.prettyPhoto.js
)
[source] =>
)
[13] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/jquery.ba-dotimeout.min.js
)
[source] =>
)
[14] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/jquery.store.js
)
[source] =>
)
[15] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/jquery.cookie.js
)
[source] =>
)
[16] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/jquery.miniColors.js
)
[source] =>
)
[17] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/jquery.tmpl.js
)
[source] =>
)
[18] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/jquery.textCounter.js
)
[source] =>
)
[19] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/jquery.rotate.js
)
[source] =>
)
[20] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/jquery.easyBGResizer.js
)
[source] =>
)
[21] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/external/aurigma/aurigma.uploader.js
)
[source] =>
)
[22] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/external/aurigma/aurigma.uploader.installationprogress.js
)
[source] =>
)
[23] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/external/aurigma/local/aurigma.uploader.nl_localization.js
)
[source] =>
)
[24] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/jquery.ad-gallery.js
)
[source] =>
)
[25] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/custom/gmaps.js
)
[source] =>
)
[26] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/custom/googleMapsNew.js
)
[source] =>
)
[27] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/custom/entity/Callback.js
)
[source] =>
)
[28] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/custom/entity/Entity.js
)
[source] =>
)
[29] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/custom/setup.js
)
[source] =>
)
[30] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/jquery-example.js
)
[source] =>
)
[31] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/jquery.tooltip.min.js
)
[source] =>
)
[32] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/local/jquery.ui.datepicker-nl.js
)
[source] =>
)
[33] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/custom/bas.js
)
[source] =>
)
[34] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/custom/team.js
)
[source] =>
)
)
)
[Zend_View_Helper_InlineScript] => Zend_View_Helper_Placeholder_Container Object
(
[_prefix:protected] =>
[_postfix:protected] =>
[_separator:protected] =>
[_indent:protected] =>
[_captureLock:protected] =>
[_captureType:protected] =>
[_captureKey:protected] =>
[storage:ArrayObject:private] => Array
(
[0] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/tmpl.min.js
)
[source] =>
)
[1] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/load-image.min.js
)
[source] =>
)
[2] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/bootstrap.min.js
)
[source] =>
)
[3] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/jquery.iframe-transport.js
)
[source] =>
)
[4] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/jquery.fileupload.js
)
[source] =>
)
[5] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/jquery.fileupload-ui.js
)
[source] =>
)
[6] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/custom/fileUploadCustomSettings.js
)
[source] =>
)
[7] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/jquery.timeago.js
)
[source] =>
)
[8] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/local/jquery.timeago.nl.js
)
[source] =>
)
[9] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/jquery/fileuploader.js
)
[source] =>
)
[10] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/custom/entity/upload.js
)
[source] =>
)
[11] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/custom/classes/SortableEntities.js
)
[source] =>
)
[12] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/custom/unoslider.js
)
[source] =>
)
[13] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/custom/shop.js
)
[source] =>
)
[14] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/custom/classes/PortalTicker.js
)
[source] =>
)
[15] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/custom/afterLoading.js
)
[source] =>
)
[16] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/custom/commentValidation.js
)
[source] =>
)
[17] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/custom/clubs.js
)
[source] =>
)
)
)
[Zend_View_Helper_HeadTitle] => Zend_View_Helper_Placeholder_Container Object
(
[_prefix:protected] =>
[_postfix:protected] =>
[_separator:protected] => -
[_indent:protected] =>
[_captureLock:protected] =>
[_captureType:protected] =>
[_captureKey:protected] =>
[storage:ArrayObject:private] => Array
(
[0] => Reisverslagen over Samoa
[1] => WaarBenJij.nu
)
)
)
)
[_autoEscape:protected] => 1
[view] => Zend_View Object
*RECURSION*
)
[HeadTitle] => Zend_View_Helper_HeadTitle Object
(
[_regKey:protected] => Zend_View_Helper_HeadTitle
[_translate:protected] =>
[_translator:protected] =>
[_defaultAttachOrder:protected] =>
[_container:protected] => Zend_View_Helper_Placeholder_Container Object
(
[_prefix:protected] =>
[_postfix:protected] =>
[_separator:protected] => -
[_indent:protected] =>
[_captureLock:protected] =>
[_captureType:protected] =>
[_captureKey:protected] =>
[storage:ArrayObject:private] => Array
(
[0] => Reisverslagen over Samoa
[1] => WaarBenJij.nu
)
)
[_registry:protected] => Zend_View_Helper_Placeholder_Registry Object
(
[_containerClass:protected] => Zend_View_Helper_Placeholder_Container
[_items:protected] => Array
(
[Zend_Layout] => Zend_View_Helper_Placeholder_Container Object
(
[_prefix:protected] =>
[_postfix:protected] =>
[_separator:protected] =>
[_indent:protected] =>
[_captureLock:protected] =>
[_captureType:protected] =>
[_captureKey:protected] =>
[storage:ArrayObject:private] => Array
(
[content] =>
Recente reisverslagen uit Samoa
)
)
[Zend_View_Helper_HeadMeta] => Zend_View_Helper_Placeholder_Container Object
(
[_prefix:protected] =>
[_postfix:protected] =>
[_separator:protected] =>
[_indent:protected] =>
[_captureLock:protected] =>
[_captureType:protected] =>
[_captureKey:protected] =>
[storage:ArrayObject:private] => Array
(
[1] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => name
[name] => robots
[content] => noindex,follow
[modifiers] => Array
(
)
)
)
)
[Zend_View_Helper_HeadLink] => Zend_View_Helper_Placeholder_Container Object
(
[_prefix:protected] =>
[_postfix:protected] =>
[_separator:protected] =>
[_indent:protected] =>
[_captureLock:protected] =>
[_captureType:protected] =>
[_captureKey:protected] =>
[storage:ArrayObject:private] => Array
(
)
)
[Zend_View_Helper_HeadScript] => Zend_View_Helper_Placeholder_Container Object
(
[_prefix:protected] =>
[_postfix:protected] =>
[_separator:protected] =>
[_indent:protected] =>
[_captureLock:protected] =>
[_captureType:protected] =>
[_captureKey:protected] =>
[storage:ArrayObject:private] => Array
(
[0] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
[src] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/js/custom/ui/exampleHintText.js
)
[source] =>
)
[1] => stdClass Object
(
[type] => text/javascript
[attributes] => Array
(
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[31] => stdClass Object
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[32] => stdClass Object
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[_separator:protected] =>
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[source] =>
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[source] =>
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[source] =>
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[source] =>
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[source] =>
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[source] =>
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[source] =>
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[source] =>
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[source] =>
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[source] =>
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[source] =>
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[source] =>
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[Zend_View_Helper_HeadTitle] => Zend_View_Helper_Placeholder_Container Object
(
[_prefix:protected] =>
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[_captureKey:protected] =>
[storage:ArrayObject:private] => Array
(
[0] => Reisverslagen over Samoa
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[_autoEscape:protected] => 1
[view] => Zend_View Object
*RECURSION*
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[PartialLoop] => Zend_View_Helper_PartialLoop Object
(
[partialCounter:protected] => 15
[_objectKey:protected] =>
[view] => Zend_View Object
*RECURSION*
)
[PaginationControl] => Zend_View_Helper_PaginationControl Object
(
[view] => Zend_View Object
*RECURSION*
)
[Partial] => Zend_View_Helper_Partial Object
(
[_objectKey:protected] =>
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*RECURSION*
)
[Url] => Zend_View_Helper_Url Object
(
[view] => Zend_View Object
*RECURSION*
)
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(
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(
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(
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(
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(
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(
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(
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[Zend_View_Filter_] => Array
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[helper] => Zend_Loader_PluginLoader Object
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(
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[HeadTitle] => Zend_View_Helper_HeadTitle
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[Slugify] => TravelLog\View\Helper\Slugify
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[ClickTracking] => TravelLog\View\Helper\ClickTracking
[TruncateWords] => TravelLog\View\Helper\TruncateWords
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[TravelLog\View\Helper\] => Array
(
[0] => /srv/www/tl-www/website/application/library/TravelLog/View/Helper/
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)
[_useStaticRegistry:protected] =>
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[exception] => Zend_Controller_Dispatcher_Exception Object
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(
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(
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[_basePath:protected] =>
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(
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(
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(
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*RECURSION*
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(
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(
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[_controllerKey:protected] => controller
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[continentId] => 7
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[_rawBody:protected] =>
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(
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[1] => Zend_Controller_Response_Http Object
(
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(
[default] =>
Recente reisverslagen uit Samoa
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[_exceptions:protected] => Array
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*RECURSION*
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(
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(
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[1] => Array
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[function] => dispatch
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[type] => ->
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(
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[2] => Array
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[function] => run
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[type] => ->
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[3] => Array
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(
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[previous:Exception:private] =>
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[currentUserId] => 0
[currentUserName] =>
[domainName] => waarbenjij.nu
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[cdn] => https://cdn.easyapps.nl/578/
[notificationWindow] =>
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[1] => stdClass Object
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[2] => stdClass Object
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[3] => stdClass Object
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[12] => stdClass Object
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[name] => Argentinië
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[13] => stdClass Object
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[14] => stdClass Object
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[15] => stdClass Object
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[18] => stdClass Object
(
[countryId] => 15
[isoCode] => bh
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)
[19] => stdClass Object
(
[countryId] => 16
[isoCode] => bd
[name] => Bangladesh
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)
[20] => stdClass Object
(
[countryId] => 17
[isoCode] => bb
[name] => Barbados
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)
[21] => stdClass Object
(
[countryId] => 19
[isoCode] => be
[name] => België
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)
[22] => stdClass Object
(
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[isoCode] => bz
[name] => Belize
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)
[23] => stdClass Object
(
[countryId] => 21
[isoCode] => bj
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)
[24] => stdClass Object
(
[countryId] => 22
[isoCode] => bm
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)
[25] => stdClass Object
(
[countryId] => 23
[isoCode] => bt
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)
[26] => stdClass Object
(
[countryId] => 24
[isoCode] => bo
[name] => Bolivia
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)
[27] => stdClass Object
(
[countryId] => 252
[isoCode] => bq
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)
[28] => stdClass Object
(
[countryId] => 217
[isoCode] => ba
[name] => Bosnië en Herzegovina
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)
[29] => stdClass Object
(
[countryId] => 25
[isoCode] => bw
[name] => Botswana
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)
[30] => stdClass Object
(
[countryId] => 226
[isoCode] => bv
[name] => Bouve Eilanden
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)
[31] => stdClass Object
(
[countryId] => 26
[isoCode] => br
[name] => Brazilië
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)
[32] => stdClass Object
(
[countryId] => 229
[isoCode] => io
[name] => Brits Territorium
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)
[33] => stdClass Object
(
[countryId] => 27
[isoCode] => vg
[name] => Britse maagdeneilanden
[nameSlugified] => britse-maagdeneilanden
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)
[34] => stdClass Object
(
[countryId] => 28
[isoCode] => bn
[name] => Brunei
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)
[35] => stdClass Object
(
[countryId] => 29
[isoCode] => bg
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)
[36] => stdClass Object
(
[countryId] => 30
[isoCode] => bf
[name] => Burkina Faso
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)
[37] => stdClass Object
(
[countryId] => 31
[isoCode] => bi
[name] => Burundi
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)
[38] => stdClass Object
(
[countryId] => 32
[isoCode] => kh
[name] => Cambodja
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)
[39] => stdClass Object
(
[countryId] => 34
[isoCode] => ca
[name] => Canada
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)
[40] => stdClass Object
(
[countryId] => 36
[isoCode] => ky
[name] => Cayman Eilanden
[nameSlugified] => cayman-eilanden
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)
[41] => stdClass Object
(
[countryId] => 37
[isoCode] => cf
[name] => Centraal Afrikaanse Republiek
[nameSlugified] => centraal-afrikaanse-republiek
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)
[42] => stdClass Object
(
[countryId] => 40
[isoCode] => cl
[name] => Chili
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)
[43] => stdClass Object
(
[countryId] => 41
[isoCode] => cn
[name] => China
[nameSlugified] => china
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)
[44] => stdClass Object
(
[countryId] => 42
[isoCode] => co
[name] => Colombia
[nameSlugified] => colombia
[continentId] => 9
)
[45] => stdClass Object
(
[countryId] => 231
[isoCode] => km
[name] => Comoros
[nameSlugified] => comoros
[continentId] => 7
)
[46] => stdClass Object
(
[countryId] => 43
[isoCode] => cg
[name] => Congo - Brazzaville
[nameSlugified] => congo-brazzaville
[continentId] => 1
)
[47] => stdClass Object
(
[countryId] => 44
[isoCode] => cd
[name] => Congo, Democratische Republiek v
[nameSlugified] => congo-democratische-republiek-v
[continentId] => 1
)
[48] => stdClass Object
(
[countryId] => 45
[isoCode] => ck
[name] => Cook Eilanden
[nameSlugified] => cook-eilanden
[continentId] => 7
)
[49] => stdClass Object
(
[countryId] => 46
[isoCode] => cr
[name] => Costa Rica
[nameSlugified] => costa-rica
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)
[50] => stdClass Object
(
[countryId] => 208
[isoCode] => cu
[name] => Cuba
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)
[51] => stdClass Object
(
[countryId] => 251
[isoCode] => cw
[name] => Curaçao
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)
[52] => stdClass Object
(
[countryId] => 48
[isoCode] => cy
[name] => Cyprus
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)
[53] => stdClass Object
(
[countryId] => 249
[isoCode] => gx
[name] => De ruimte
[nameSlugified] => de-ruimte
[continentId] => 0
)
[54] => stdClass Object
(
[countryId] => 50
[isoCode] => dk
[name] => Denemarken
[nameSlugified] => denemarken
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)
[55] => stdClass Object
(
[countryId] => 51
[isoCode] => dj
[name] => Djibouti
[nameSlugified] => djibouti
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)
[56] => stdClass Object
(
[countryId] => 52
[isoCode] => dm
[name] => Dominica
[nameSlugified] => dominica
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)
[57] => stdClass Object
(
[countryId] => 53
[isoCode] => do
[name] => Dominicaanse Republiek
[nameSlugified] => dominicaanse-republiek
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)
[58] => stdClass Object
(
[countryId] => 70
[isoCode] => de
[name] => Duitsland
[nameSlugified] => duitsland
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)
[59] => stdClass Object
(
[countryId] => 54
[isoCode] => ec
[name] => Ecuador
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)
[60] => stdClass Object
(
[countryId] => 55
[isoCode] => eg
[name] => Egypte
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)
[61] => stdClass Object
(
[countryId] => 56
[isoCode] => sv
[name] => El Salvador
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[continentId] => 3
)
[62] => stdClass Object
(
[countryId] => 57
[isoCode] => gq
[name] => Equatoriaal Guinea
[nameSlugified] => equatoriaal-guinea
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)
[63] => stdClass Object
(
[countryId] => 58
[isoCode] => er
[name] => Eritrea
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)
[64] => stdClass Object
(
[countryId] => 59
[isoCode] => ee
[name] => Estland
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)
[65] => stdClass Object
(
[countryId] => 60
[isoCode] => et
[name] => Ethiopië
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)
[66] => stdClass Object
(
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[isoCode] => fk
[name] => Falkland Eilanden
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)
[67] => stdClass Object
(
[countryId] => 61
[isoCode] => fo
[name] => Faroe eilanden
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)
[68] => stdClass Object
(
[countryId] => 62
[isoCode] => fj
[name] => Fiji
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)
[69] => stdClass Object
(
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[isoCode] => ph
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)
[70] => stdClass Object
(
[countryId] => 63
[isoCode] => fi
[name] => Finland
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)
[71] => stdClass Object
(
[countryId] => 64
[isoCode] => fr
[name] => Frankrijk
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)
[72] => stdClass Object
(
[countryId] => 65
[isoCode] => gf
[name] => Frans Guiana
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)
[73] => stdClass Object
(
[countryId] => 66
[isoCode] => pf
[name] => Frans Polynesië
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)
[74] => stdClass Object
(
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[isoCode] => ga
[name] => Gabon
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)
[75] => stdClass Object
(
[countryId] => 68
[isoCode] => gm
[name] => Gambia
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)
[76] => stdClass Object
(
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[isoCode] => ge
[name] => Georgië
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)
[77] => stdClass Object
(
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[isoCode] => gh
[name] => Ghana
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)
[78] => stdClass Object
(
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[isoCode] => gi
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)
[79] => stdClass Object
(
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[isoCode] => gd
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)
[80] => stdClass Object
(
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[isoCode] => gr
[name] => Griekenland
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)
[81] => stdClass Object
(
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[isoCode] => gl
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)
[82] => stdClass Object
(
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[isoCode] => gp
[name] => Guadeloupe
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)
[83] => stdClass Object
(
[countryId] => 77
[isoCode] => gu
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)
[84] => stdClass Object
(
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[isoCode] => gt
[name] => Guatemala
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)
[85] => stdClass Object
(
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[isoCode] => gn
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)
[86] => stdClass Object
(
[countryId] => 79
[isoCode] => gw
[name] => Guinea-Bissau
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)
[87] => stdClass Object
(
[countryId] => 81
[isoCode] => gy
[name] => Guyana
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)
[88] => stdClass Object
(
[countryId] => 82
[isoCode] => ht
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)
[89] => stdClass Object
(
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[isoCode] => hi
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)
[90] => stdClass Object
(
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[isoCode] => hm
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)
[91] => stdClass Object
(
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[isoCode] => hn
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)
[92] => stdClass Object
(
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[isoCode] => hk
[name] => Hong Kong
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)
[93] => stdClass Object
(
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[isoCode] => hu
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)
[94] => stdClass Object
(
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[isoCode] => ie
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)
[95] => stdClass Object
(
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)
[96] => stdClass Object
(
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[isoCode] => in
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)
[97] => stdClass Object
(
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[isoCode] => id
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)
[98] => stdClass Object
(
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)
[99] => stdClass Object
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)
[100] => stdClass Object
(
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[isoCode] => il
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)
[101] => stdClass Object
(
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)
[102] => stdClass Object
(
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)
[103] => stdClass Object
(
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[isoCode] => jm
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)
[104] => stdClass Object
(
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[isoCode] => jp
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)
[105] => stdClass Object
(
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)
[106] => stdClass Object
(
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)
[107] => stdClass Object
(
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)
[108] => stdClass Object
(
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)
[109] => stdClass Object
(
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[110] => stdClass Object
(
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)
[111] => stdClass Object
(
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)
[112] => stdClass Object
(
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)
[113] => stdClass Object
(
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[isoCode] => ki
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[114] => stdClass Object
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)
[115] => stdClass Object
(
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[isoCode] => kx
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)
[116] => stdClass Object
(
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)
[117] => stdClass Object
(
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)
[118] => stdClass Object
(
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[isoCode] => la
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[119] => stdClass Object
(
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[120] => stdClass Object
(
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)
[121] => stdClass Object
(
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[isoCode] => lb
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)
[122] => stdClass Object
(
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[isoCode] => lr
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)
[123] => stdClass Object
(
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[isoCode] => ly
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)
[124] => stdClass Object
(
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)
[125] => stdClass Object
(
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)
[126] => stdClass Object
(
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[isoCode] => lu
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)
[127] => stdClass Object
(
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[isoCode] => mo
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)
[128] => stdClass Object
(
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)
[129] => stdClass Object
(
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[130] => stdClass Object
(
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)
[131] => stdClass Object
(
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)
[132] => stdClass Object
(
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)
[133] => stdClass Object
(
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[isoCode] => ml
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)
[134] => stdClass Object
(
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)
[135] => stdClass Object
(
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)
[136] => stdClass Object
(
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[isoCode] => mh
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)
[137] => stdClass Object
(
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)
[138] => stdClass Object
(
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)
[139] => stdClass Object
(
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)
[140] => stdClass Object
(
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)
[141] => stdClass Object
(
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[isoCode] => mx
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)
[142] => stdClass Object
(
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)
[143] => stdClass Object
(
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)
[144] => stdClass Object
(
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[isoCode] => mc
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)
[145] => stdClass Object
(
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[isoCode] => mn
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)
[146] => stdClass Object
(
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)
[147] => stdClass Object
(
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[isoCode] => ms
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)
[148] => stdClass Object
(
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[isoCode] => mz
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[title] => De vakantieparken van België
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België, het land van chocolade, frietjes en gezelligheid, herbergt ook een schat aan prachtige vakantieparken. Of je nu op zoek bent naar avontuur in de natuur, ontspanning aan het water of gewoon quality time met het gezin, de vakantieparken België hebben voor elk wat wils. In deze blog nemen we je mee op een reis door enkele van de meest betoverende vakantieparken van het land, met een speciale focus op de idyllische plekjes aan de Belgische kust.
Midden in de natuur: vakantieparken in de Ardennen
De Ardennen, met hun weelderige bossen en schilderachtige valleien, zijn de ideale bestemming voor natuurliefhebbers. Tal van vakantieparken in dit gebied bieden gezellige huisjes omgeven door groen. Hier kun je wandelen, fietsen of gewoon genieten van de rust en stilte. Enkele aanraders zijn Domaine Les Doyards in Vielsalm en Sunparks Ardennen in Vielsalm. Domaine Les Doyards is een vakantiepark gelegen aan het prachtige meer van Vielsalm en biedt gezellige chalets en bungalows verscholen tussen de bomen. Sunparks Ardennen staan bekend om zijn uitgebreide faciliteiten voor het hele gezin. Van een overdekt zwemparadijs tot indoor speelzones voor de kleintjes, er is altijd wel iets te doen, ongeacht het weer. De beroemde grotten van Han zijn erg leuk om te bewonderen, ze bieden een onvergetelijke ervaring om de Ardennen op een speciale manier te ontdekken.
Waterpret in de Kempen: vakantieparken met Meren
De Kempen, bekend om hun uitgestrekte meren, bieden een scala aan vakantieparken waar waterpret centraal staat. Denk aan zwemmen, varen en vissen. Park Molenheide in Houthalen-Helchteren is een familievriendelijk vakantieoord met een groot subtropisch zwemparadijs en een meer waar je kunt roeien. Perfect voor een zomerse vakantie vol plezier aan het water. Park Molenheide staat bekend om zijn indrukwekkende subtropisch zwemparadijs. Hier kunnen gasten genieten van glijbanen, watervallen en ontspannen in de bubbelbaden. Het is de perfecte plek voor zowel avontuurlijke waterliefhebbers als gezinnen die op zoek zijn naar ontspanning. Het vakantiepark beschikt ook over een groot recreatiemeer waar verschillende watersporten mogelijk zijn. Of je nu wilt kajakken, roeien of gewoon ontspannen op het strand, er zijn tal van mogelijkheden om van het water te genieten.
Cultuur en geschiedenis: vakantieparken nabij Brugge
Voor diegenen die geïnteresseerd zijn in cultuur en geschiedenis zijn vakantieparken in de buurt van steden als Brugge een uitstekende keuze. Hier kun je genieten van de architecturale pracht van historische steden en tegelijkertijd ontspannen in de rust van het omliggende platteland. Vakantiepark Klein Strand In Jabbeke is een voorbeeld met gemakkelijke toegang tot Brugge en de Belgische kust. Vakantiepark Klein Strand ligt op korte afstand van Brugge en biedt comfortabele accommodaties in een rustige omgeving. De vakantiehuisjes en chalets zijn vaak voorzien van moderne voorzieningen en zijn ideaal voor gezinnen en stellen. Door de nabijheid van Brugge kunnen gasten gemakkelijk de historische stad verkennen en genieten van de middeleeuwse pracht.
Betovering aan de Belgische kust: zon, zee en strandplezier
Het hoogtepunt van vakantieparken aan de Belgische kust is ongetwijfeld de nabijheid van de zee. Van Knokke tot De Panne bieden deze badplaatsen een mix van zon, zee en strandplezier. Vakantiepark Floreal in Nieuwpoort is een uitstekende keuze, met comfortabele accommodaties op slechts een steenworp afstand van het strand. Verken de kustlijn, proef verse visgerechten en geniet van adembenemende zonsondergangen. Vakantiepark Floreal bevindt zich in het charmante Nieuwpoort, op korte afstand van de Belgische kust. De accommodaties variëren van comfortabele appartementen tot ruime vakantiehuizen, vaak met uitzicht op de zee. Een van de hoogtepunten van dit park is de directe toegang tot het strand. Gasten kunnen genieten van lange wandelingen langs de kustlijn, luieren in het zand of zelfs een verfrissende duik nemen in de Noordzee.
België, met zijn diverse landschappen en rijke cultuur is een ideale bestemming voor een vakantieparkavontuur. Of je nu de voorkeur geeft aan de rust van de Ardennen, de waterpret in de Kempen, de geschiedenis rond Brugge of de betovering aan de Belgische kust, er is altijd een vakantiepark dat aan je verwachtingen voldoet. Dus pak je koffers en ontdek zelf de magie van de Belgische vakantieparken.
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[title] => Taal in cijfers: Welke talen spreekt men wereldwijd zoal.
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Over de hele wereld worden tussen de 6000 en 7000 talen gesproken, elk met een unieke geschiedenis en cultuur. Sommige landen hebben slechts één officiële taal, terwijl in andere landen honderden talen naast elkaar bestaan, soms wel meer dan 800. Maar welke talen behoren tot de meest gesproken ter wereld? Welke verdwijnen langzaam uit ons dagelijks leven? En hoe zit het eigenlijk met de Nederlandse taal en de woorden die we gebruiken? Preply, een platform waar je onder andere online Engels kunt leren, onderzocht zowel de populairste als de meest bedreigde talen wereldwijd.
Meest gesproken talen
De taal die wereldwijd het meest gesproken wordt is Chinees, ook wel bekend als ‘Mandarijn’. Met ruim 1,2 miljard sprekers staat Chinees met afstand op nummer één als de meest gesproken taal ter wereld. Spaans volgt op de tweede plaats. Deze taal is niet alleen populair in zomerhits, maar wordt ook door zo’n 437 miljoen mensen over de hele wereld gesproken. De Engelse taal volgt op de derde plek als het gaat om de meest gesproken talen ter wereld, met ongeveer 372 miljoen sprekers. De gehele top 10 populairste talen hebben we hieronder voor je op een rijtje gezet:
- MandarijnChinees
- Spaans
- Engels
- Arabisch
- Hindi
- Bengali
- Portugees
- Russisch
- Japans
- Punjabi
Europese talen op het randje van verdwijnen
In Europa zijn er 24 officiële talen, maar in totaal worden er wel 200 verschillende talen gesproken. Hiervan worden er drie met uitsterven bedreigd. We hebben ze hieronder voor je op een rijtje gezet:
1. Occitaans, Zuid-Frankrijk
Occitaans (Occitan) was ooit een dominante taal in Frankrijk en werd ook gesproken in delen van Italië en Spanje. Tegenwoordig spreken nog ongeveer zeshonderdduizend van de veertien miljoen inwoners van Zuid-Frankrijk deze taal vloeiend. Occitaans heeft veel overeenkomsten met het Catalaans.
- Samisch, Scandinavië en Rusland
In Finland, Noorwegen, Zweden en Rusland bestaan er negen varianten van het Samisch (Sámi), de taal van de inheemse Samen. Tegenwoordig spreken nog slechts dertigduizend mensen een van deze varianten, waarbij Noord-Samisch met ongeveer twintigduizend sprekers de meest gesproken versie is.
- Griko, Italië
Toen de Grieken tussen 800 en 600 v.Chr. zuidelijk Italië koloniseerden, brachten ze hun taal mee. Grieks werd eeuwenlang de dominante taal in deze regio, vermengd met Latijnse invloeden. Het huidige 'Griko' is zowel een Grieks dialect als een minderheidstaal in Italië. Uiteindelijk werd Italiaans de officiële taal, die via onderwijs verspreid werd. Omdat veel Griko-sprekers niet voldoende middelen hadden voor onderwijs, bleef de taal vooral in huiselijke kring bestaan.
Top 10 talen die met uitsterven worden bedreigd
Wereldwijd worden er ongeveer 6000 tot 7000 talen gesproken. Sommige worden door miljoenen mensen gesproken, terwijl andere door slechts een handjevol mensen worden gebruikt. Er zijn zelfs talen die met uitsterven worden bedreigd. Hieronder hebben we de top 10 van bedreigde talen voor je op een rijtje gezet:
1. Apiaka: Deze taal wordt gesproken door de Apiaka-indianen in het noorden van Mato Grosso, Brazilië. In 2007 was er nog slechts één persoon die deze taal beheerste.
- Bikya: Een taal uit het noordwesten van Kameroen die mogelijk al is uitgestorven. De laatste bekende spreker werd in 1986 geregistreerd. De taal vertoont gelijkenissen met Bishou, een andere bedreigde taal.
- Chana: Afkomstig uit de Argentijnse provincie Entre Rios, werd de laatste spreker van deze taal in 2008 vastgelegd.
- Dampal: De laatste bekende spreker van deze Indonesische taal woonde in 2000 in Bangkir, Indonesië.
- Diahoi: Ook bekend onder namen als Jiahui en Djahui, werd deze taal in 2006 nog door één persoon gesproken in het zuidelijke deel van het Braziliaanse Amazonegebied.
- Kaixana: Dit is een andere bedreigde taal uit Brazilië. In 2008 woonde de enige overgebleven spreker, Raimundo Avelino, toen 78 jaar oud, in Limoeiro in de staat Amazonas.
- Laua: Deze taal, die wordt gesproken in centraal Papoea-Nieuw-Guinea, behoort tot de Mailuan talengroep. De laatste spreker werd in 2000 geregistreerd.
- Patwin: Een inheemse Amerikaanse taal uit het westen van de Verenigde Staten. In 1997 werd de enige spreker geregistreerd in de omgeving van San Francisco.
- Pazeh: De taal van een Taiwanese inheemse groep met dezelfde naam. In 2008 was mevrouw Pan Jin Yu, toen 95 jaar oud, de laatste geregistreerde spreker.
- Pemono: Een taal uit Venezuela waarvan de enige overgebleven spreker in een dorp in Majagua woont
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[title] => Vlucht geannuleerd of vertraagd? Hier heb je recht op
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Wat een teleurstelling: je vlucht is vertraagd of geannuleerd. Dat is natuurlijk niet waar je op zit te wachten aan het begin van je vakantie. Hoe vervelend het ook is, het betekent niet gelijk dat je je geld kwijt bent of dat je niet meer op vakantie kunt. Je hebt namelijk in veel gevallen recht op compensatie en hulp. In dit artikel leggen we je uit hoe het werkt.Algemene regels en rechten
Ben je op het vliegveld en kom je erachter dat je vlucht vertraagd, geannuleerd of overboekt is? De luchtvaartmaatschappij is na 2 uur vertraging verplicht om je te helpen met het:
- Verzorgen van eten en drinken;
- Sturen van twee e-mails of het voeren van twee telefoongesprekken, mocht je zelf geen internet of bereik hebben;
- Organiseren van een overnachting of transfer als dit noodzakelijk is. Dit telt trouwens niet als de luchtvaartmaatschappij je 2 weken van tevoren op de hoogte heeft gebracht van de vertraging of annulering.
Duurt de vertraging langer dan 5 uur? Dan mag je afzien van de vlucht en de volledige ticketkosten terugvragen. Dit moet binnen 7 dagen terugbetaald worden door de luchtvaartmaatschappij.
Als de vlucht geannuleerd is, mag je kiezen tussen terugbetaling en een nieuw ticket voor een andere vlucht. Een andere vlucht is de eerstvolgende vlucht waar een plekje vrij is. Heb je op je vliegreis een tussenstop? Dan heb je ook recht op een transfer. Bijvoorbeeld als je naar verre landen zoals Thailand reist, waarbij je vaak een of twee tussenstops hebt.
Compensatie
In veel gevallen heb je bij vertraging of annulering recht op compensatie van de luchtvaartmaatschappij. Zij geven vaak zelf een termijn voor de terugbetaling. Bent u binnen deze termijn niet terugbetaald door de luchtvaartmaatschappij? Dan kunt u een claim indienen bij de kantonrechter. Doe dit wel binnen 2 jaar, aangezien het recht op compensatie hierna vaak verloopt.
Moet je door persoonlijke omstandigheden je vlucht annuleren? Dan zal de luchtvaartmaatschappij dit meestal niet vergoeden. Wel kan je eventueel gecompenseerd worden door je reisverzekering.
Hiervoor moet je een annuleringsverzekering hebben afgesloten, aangezien een normale reisverzekering annuleringen en vertragingen niet altijd standaard dekt. Ben je op zoek naar een passende verzekering voordat je op vakantie gaat? Je kan verschillende aanbieders van een reisverzekering vergelijken, om te zien welke het beste bij je wensen en voorkeuren past.
Wanneer heb je geen recht op een schadevergoeding?
Er zijn natuurlijk gevallen waarin de luchtvaartmaatschappij niet verantwoordelijk gehouden kan worden voor annulering of vertraging. Bijvoorbeeld wanneer u zelf te laat aankomt, of als het komt door slecht weer.
Veiligheidsredenen, zoals een bommelding of gevaar op de bestemming zelf, kunnen er ook voor zorgen dat de vlucht vertraagd of geannuleerd wordt zonder schadevergoeding. Medische noodgevallen (bijvoorbeeld als er tijdens het boarden iemand onwel wordt) vallen hier ook onder.
Loop je vakantie niet mis
Een vertraagde of geannuleerde vlucht is natuurlijk niet fijn. In veel gevallen kun je hiervoor wel gecompenseerd worden. Zo kom je hopelijk alsnog snel op je bestemming zodat je kunt genieten van een welverdiende vakantie. Check bij annulering of vertraging van je vlucht altijd wat je rechten zijn, zodat je geen compensatie of hulp misloopt.
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[title] => Mijn laatste week in Samoa
[message] => Hallooo allemaal,
Vandaag waarschijnlijk de laatste update over mijn verblijf in Samoa, want aankomende zondag zit ik alweer in het vliegtuig naar Hawaï! De tijd gaat nu ineens zo snel! Dat betekent ook dat mijn laatste week bij Fiamalamalama is aangebroken. Aan de ene kant wil ik graag weer naar huis, maar aan de andere kant ga ik de kinderen en de medewerkers heel erg missen. Ik ben daar toch vijf dagen per week, zeven weken lang aan het werk geweest. Ondertussen voel ik mij dan ook helemaal thuis op deze school en ik denk dat ik het vrijdag heel moeilijk ga krijgen met het afscheid nemen. De kinderen zijn aan mij gewend geraakt en ik heb het heel gezellig met de leraressen. De kleine kinderen zoeken veel contact met mij en een aantal van hen willen dan ook maar al te graag knuffelen. Maar ook de oudere kinderen die in het begin eigenlijk geen contact met mij zochten, stellen zich nu meer open naar mij toe. Ze durven eindelijk dingen te vragen en zijn enthousiast tijdens activiteiten waar ik aan meedoe. Een aantal kinderen zijn zo behulpzaam, dat ik er soms gewoon ongemakkelijk van word. Zo was er vorige week een jongen die mijn spullen wilde dragen en mijn tas ging helpen inpakken. Het is hier voor de oudere kinderen heel normaal om zo zorgzaam te zijn, aangezien zij ook voor de jongere kinderen op school zorgen en thuis ook voor jongere broertjes/ zusjes.
Soms blijven dingen mij hier verbazen. De afgelopen tijd heb ik een aantal keer rode limonade meegenomen in plaats van water. Jullie willen niet weten hoeveel vragen ik daarover krijg! "What is that?!" vroegen veel kinderen. En niet alleen de kinderen, maar ook de leraressen! Je zou denken dat het heel normaal is.. Ik vertelde dan keer op keer dat het gewoon water is met een smaakje, waardoor het water bijvoorbeeld rood wordt! Maar hier is dat blijkbaar heel gek.
De afgelopen twee weken heb ik samen met de kinderen tijdens de één op één sessies hard geoefend met het spelen van cricket en voetbal voor het tournement van de Special Olympics. Daarnaast was mij gevraagd om de voeten van alle kinderen te checken. De dagen voor het tournement ben ik hier dan ook druk mee bezig geweest. Zo heb ik alle voeten opgemeten en heb ik de voeten gecontroleerd op verwondingen etc. Soms schrok ik écht van de voeten die ik zag. Zoveel eelt, kloven, wondjes en beschadigde nagels.. Ook al bij de jonge kinderen! De wegen zijn hier slecht en overal liggen stenen, rotsen en troep. Dan moet je je dus bedenken dat hier veel kinderen op blote voeten lopen! Gelukkig dragen ook een groot deel van de kinderen slippers, maar schoenen hebben ze maar zelden aan. Dus ik begrijp ook best goed hoe die voeten er zó uit komen te zien.
Het tournement zou 19 mei plaatsvinden, maar werd vanwege de vele regenval uitgesteld naar de week erna, omdat het gras niet veilig genoeg was om op te spelen. Het tournement ging 24 mei, ondanks dat er ook deze nacht weer heel veel regen was gevallen, gelukkig wel door. Helaas werd er uiteindelijk alleen cricket gespeeld en konden alleen de oudere kinderen hieraan meedoen. De kinderen hebben onwijs goed hun best gedaan en hebben het enorm naar hun zin gehad. En daarbij werd het uiteindelijk toch nog heel mooi weer.
Daarnaast was deze dag voor mij een extra bijzondere dag, omdat mijn vader 50 jaar was geworden. Het grote tijdsverschil van 11 uur blijft dan toch een beetje gek. Op het moment dat ik wakker werd, was m'n vader in Nederland nog niet jarig. Om 11.00 Samoaanse tijd kon ik hem pas écht feliciteren. Gelukkig hebben we 's avonds nog wel even kunnen videobellen. Ook heb ik mijn moeder de volgende ochtend even kunnen zien. Dit was heel fijn na zes weken!
Ondanks dat het regenseizoen hier in Samoa al voorbij is, heeft het de afgelopen weken enorm veel geregend en heb ik helaas niet veel zon gezien. Soms waren er zelfs kleine overstromingen voor de klaslokalen. Gelukkig is het weer nu een stuk beter!
Het weekend van moederdag had ik een lang weekend. Maandag was een officiële vrije dag, omdat zondag moederdag was (bij elke scheet die je hier laat ben je al vrij.. Te gek voor woorden eigenlijk!) Moederdag wordt hier wel veel uitgebreider gevierd dan in Nederland. De dagen voor moederdag was dit al te merken in de supermarkten. De dochter van onze gastmoeder kwam dat weekend met twee hele grote pakketten met eten aan. Eén voor haar moeder en de andere voor haar schoonmoeder. Op moederdag zelf ben ik voor het eerst met de familie meegegaan naar de kerk. Het was een lange zit en ik verstond er niets van, maar het was een mooie ervaring! Vooral het moment dat de snoepkransen werden uitgedeeld. Alle moeders kregen snoepkransen om hun nek, waarna sommige moeders helemaal vol hingen.
De afgelopen weekenden ben ik naar een aantal mooie stranden geweest met een paar andere vrijwilligers. Zo zijn we naar Lalomanu beach en Return to Paradise geweest. Zeker Return to Paradise was, zoals de naam al zegt, écht een paradijsje! Een wit strand, heldere blauwe zee en palmbomen.. Wat wil je dan nog meer?! Voor de mensen die de film 'Return to paradise' kennen.. Deze film is hier écht opgenomen!
Naast de school waar ik werk, ben ik vorige week ook begonnen bij de 'Home for the elderly'. Helaas is daar op dit moment geen fysiotherapeut aanwezig, waardoor ze alle hulp goed kunnen gebruiken, ook al zijn het maar een paar uurtjes die ik daar werk. Onder begeleiding van twee nonnen help ik waar nodig is.
Vorige week heb ik een heel gezellig etentje gehad bij een 65-jarige Japanse vrijwilliger van de school waar ik werk. Samen met nog zes andere Japanners heb ik heerlijk gegeten en heb ik geleerd hoe ik Soba (Japanse noedels) met stokjes moet opslurpen!
Afgelopen weekend ben ik samen met mijn reisgenoot Simone naar Savai'i geweest. Dit is een ander eiland van West-Samoa (wij verblijven op Upolu). Vanwege Independence day hadden we een lang weekend en konden we dus vier dagen naar Savai'i toe. We zijn het hele eiland rond geweest en hebben op drie verschillende plekken geslapen. Het meest bijzondere vond ik toch echt het moment van wakker worden.. Je stapt je fale uit en je bent gelijk op een wit strand! Van dit soort momenten geniet ik dan ook extra.
Voor ik het weet ben ik weer thuis en begint het normale leven weer. Ik laat jullie weten wanneer ik veilig op Hawaï ben aangekomen.
Groetjes vanuit de andere kant van de wereld!!
Liefs, Shanice
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[title] => Alweer 3 weken in Samoa
[message] => Talofa allemaal!
Ik ben nu alweer drie weken in Samoa! Morgen begint mijn derde week op de school Aoga Fiamalamalama, waar ik werk als fysiotherapeut. Vanaf mijn gastgezin is het zo’n 5 minuten met de taxi, dus gelukkig hoef ik niet ver te reizen. De eerste week was vooral observeren. Belangrijk was om het personeel en de kinderen goed te leren kennen en te wennen aan de dagelijkse routine op de school. De school start om 08.30 en om 13.00 gaan de kinderen met de schoolbus naar huis. Dit is een korte dag, maar met deze warmte is dat lang genoeg. Zeker als je continue actief bezig bent.
'S ochtends starten de kinderen met zingen en bidden. Vervolgens doen we met z'n allen ochtendgymnastiek en dansen we op muziek. Daarna gaan alle kinderen naar hun eigen klas toe en beginnen de lessen. Voor mij beginnen dan de één op één sessies met de kinderen. Dit doe ik samen met een Samoaanse dove man die fysiotherapeut/ergotherapeut is (ik denk dat er in Samoa geen onderscheid wordt gemaakt tussen deze twee beroepen). In totaal zitten er 36 kinderen op de school. Daarvan heb ik tot nu toe 10 kinderen gezien die therapie krijgen. Per dag behandelen we ongeveer 5-7 kinderen, waarvan ik standaard een aantal kinderen elke dag terugzie (als ze aanwezig zijn). Als er een kind afwezig is, wordt er met een ander kind die tijd heeft gewerkt. Maar lang niet alle kinderen krijgen dus therapie (niet alle kinderen hebben daar dan ook een indicatie voor). Met ieder kind wordt er ongeveer een kwartier gewerkt. De kinderen zijn vooral mentaal beperkt. Zo werk ik met kinderen met het syndroom van Down, autisme en ADHD.
Om 09.30 is 'morning tea'. Alle kinderen eten dan iets wat ze van huis hebben meegekregen. Je ziet veel ongezond voedsel, zoals: hotdogs, chips en donuts. Maar sommige kinderen krijgen ook gewoon een heel groot stuk wit droog brood mee. Ik weet niet of dit hun ontbijt is of gewoon een 'tussendoortje', maar ik heb het vermoeden dat het hun ontbijt is. Ik moet er zelf niet aan denken om 's ochtends aan een hotdog te zitten.
Na de 'morning tea' ga ik weer verder met de één op één sessies. Om 12.00 is het dan lunchtijd. De school zorgt iedere middag voor een 'gezonde' lunch, dat meestal bestaat uit soep met stukken kip (inclusief bot en vet), gekookte bananen, pompoen en wat andere groenten. Na de lunch gaan de oudste kinderen (meerendeels de jongens) alles opruimen en schoonmaken. De jongste kinderen zingen nog wat liedjes, waarbij er soms gedanst wordt. Tot slot wordt er nog gebeden. Om 13.00 staat de schoolbus klaar en worden we allemaal thuisgebracht. Ik word dan afgezet bij de office van Projects Abroad, waar ik eventueel wat voor- of nabereiding kan doen. Ook zit je daar gewoon even lekker in de airco.
Elke woensdag is het sportdag op de school. De kinderen zijn dan de hele ochtend bezig met sport. Als lunch krijgen we dan 'koko rice' (cacaosoep met rijst). Ook worden de kinderen voorbereid op het tournement van de Special Olympics op 19 mei. Zo waren er deze week twee mannen die cricket kwamen uitleggen en een Japanse ergotherapeute (ook een vrijwilliger). Zij is hier voor twee jaar en vroeg mij om haar te helpen bij het tournement. Dus dat wordt een super leuke uitdaging!
Afgelopen vrijdag hebben we op de school een brandoefening gehad. Wat mij toch wel verbaasde, omdat het allemaal heel open is. Ik moest er ook eigenlijk een beetje om lachen! Iemand loopt rond met een bel, waar je met de hand een alarm mee laat afgaan. Alle kinderen moeten dan zo snel mogelijk naar een afgesproken plek rennen. Je zou denken dat een brandoefening wordt gedaan om een beetje structuur te brengen in de eventuele chaos die er is, maar het was alles behalve gestructureerd! De meeste kinderen kwamen gewoon als een gek aanrennen op de afgesproken plek.
In de weekenden zijn we vrij en kun je dus je eigen gang gaan. Zo zijn we het eerste weekend met een aantal vrijwilligers naar de Fuipisia waterfall en naar de To-Sua Ocean Trench geweest. Bovenop de 55 meter hoge waterval hadden we echt een prachtig uitzicht! Even vond ik het heel onwerkelijk dat IK daar gewoon stond. Verder zijn we de afgelopen twee weekenden met een aantal vrijwilligers naar een heel mooi resort gegaan. Naast een groot zwembad is daar ook een privé strandje. Vandaag ben ik daar een rondje wezen kayakken. Ik kan nu ook eindelijk zeggen dat ik een klein beetje ben verkleurd (aangezien ik doordeweeks in een lange broek loop en mijn schouders bedekt moeten zijn op de school).
Elke woensdag hebben we met de andere vrijwilligers een Social. Deze week hebben we op de office de film Moana gekeken.
Zo, nu zijn jullie weer een beetje op de hoogte van wat er hier in Samoa allemaal gebeurd.
Tot de volgende blog!
Liefs Shanice
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Hallo allemaal!
Mijn project begint pas volgende week maandag en daarom ga ik de komende 3 dagen naar een school waar kinderen in hun vakantie kunnen verblijven. Vandaag was mijn eerste dag, dus erg spannend!
Ik was samen met 3 andere vrijwilligers (Nederlands, Japans en Australisch) en 2 coördinatoren van Projects Abroad die ons op gang hielpen. Er waren vandaag zo'n 25 à 30 kinderen van rond de 12 jaar.
Elke ochtend beginnen ze met bidden en zingen ze een lied. Na het ochtendritueel hebben wij onszelf in onze eigen taal voorgesteld, waarna we dit vertaalden in het Engels. Daarna hebben we een soort warming-up gedaan met wat ademhaling- en stretch oefeningen.
We begonnen de dag met een Engelse les. De Engelse taal is hier van groot belang, omdat veel Samoaanse kinderen geen/beperkt Engels spreken en schrijven. Na deze les zijn we gaan frisbeeën en hebben we teams gemaakt voor het volleyballen. Het viel me op dat veel kinderen heel goed waren in volleybal! Ik moest zelf even inkomen, maar uiteindelijk moedigden de kinderen mij aan om te serveren (dat ging namelijk wel goed haha).
Rond half 12 gingen we lunchen. Tijdens de lunch heb ik een meisje wat Nederlandse woorden geleerd en zij leerde mij wat Samoaanse woorden. Ze moest heel hard lachen om de Nederlandse woorden en mijn uitspraak in het Samoaans.
Na de pauze hebben we een spelletje gedaan met namen. Ik werd 2e en iedereen was super enthousiast! Ten slotte moesten de kinderen 15 minuten een boekje lezen, waarna ze een aantal zinnen uit het boekje moesten overnemen. Op deze manier oefenden ze met het schrijven. Ik liep rond en hielp waar nodig was. Nadat alle kinderen een stuk geschreven hadden, moest iedereen het voor de groep voorlezen. Dan merk je pas hoeveel kinderen het Engels moeilijk vinden en het eng vinden om voor een groep te staan. Het belangrijkste was dat iedereen het probeerde en dat de kinderen op deze manier meer zelfvertrouwen krijgen, omdat ze dat niet leren tijdens de lessen op school.
Toen ik vanmorgen te horen kreeg dat we o.a. Engelse les moesten gaan geven, vond ik het heel spannend! Uiteindelijk viel het reuze mee en was het een onwijs leuke, energieke dag. Het is super leuk om te zien hoe snel je wordt opgenomen in zo'n groep en hoeveel respect de kinderen voor je hebben. Één meisje bedankte me aan het einde van de dag voor mijn hulp en een ander meisje vroeg of ik morgen weer zou komen. Hieraan merk je dat ze het echt naar hun zin hebben gehad en je hulp waarderen. Ze zijn dan ook oprecht geïnteresseerd in mijn taal, naar mijn familie en waar ik verblijf.
Tot slot moesten we met de vrijwilligers de volgende dag gaan voorbereiden. Morgen krijgen ze rekenles en gaan we een stukje kunstzinnige vorming doen!
Liefs Shanice
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[message] => [Hallo allemaal! Ik loop een beetje achter met mijn blogs, maar toch wil ik dat jullie de eerste week mee kunnen lezen vanwege de vele indrukken die ik hier heb opgedaan. Daarom zal ik meerdere blogs achter elkaar posten.]
18/04/2017
Malo!
Vandaag hebben we als nieuwe vrijwilligers onze introductie gehad. We zijn naar Samoa cultural village in de stad gegaan, waar we traditionele demonstraties te zien kregen.
We hebben als eerste geleerd om met een aantal palmbladeren ons eigen bordje te vlechten, waar we aan het einde van de dag traditioneel eten op geserveerd kregen. Het vlechten was een stuk moeilijker dan ik had verwacht! Na wat uitleg over de Samoaanse cultuur werd ons laten zien hoe het traditionele eten 'taro' hier wordt gemaakt. Daarna kregen we te zien hoe een man op de traditionele manier werd getatoeëerd. Heel bizar om dit proces van zo dichtbij mee te mogen maken, omdat het er heel heftig uitziet. Het is niet alleen heel pijnlijk voor de man, maar ook heel oncomfortabel en super warm vanwege de hoge temperaturen hier. Het tatoeëren is in Samoa een heel proces. Als Samoaan kun je dit proces dan ook niet zomaar afbreken, want je wordt dan beschouwd als dé lafaard van de familie. Na het tatoeëren kregen we stap voor stap te zien hoe een vrouw 'siapo' en 'tapa' maakte (dit is een soort kunstwerk, maar kan ook gebruikt worden als traditionele kledij).
De dag in cultural village eindigde met een traditionele dans van zowel de mannen als van de vrouwen. Als ik dit zou moeten omschrijven, zou ik zeggen: vrolijk, energiek en intens! Vooral de dans van de mannen!
Na deze indrukwekkende culturele ervaring zijn we door de stad gaan lopen en kregen we de belangrijkste hotspots te zien.
Tot de volgende blog!
Liefs Shanice
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Talofa lava! Hallo allemaal!
Na een reis van 31 uur ben ik vandaag samen met mijn reisgenootje om 5.15 lokale tijd aangekomen in het verre Samoa. Buiten de luchthaven stond een vrouw ons op te wachten die ons meenam in een taxi naar ons gastgezin. De rit zou ongeveer 50 minuten gaan duren. Tijdens de taxirit keek ik mijn ogen uit! Ik besefde nog niet zo goed dat ik gewoon aan de andere kant van de wereld zit. Enerzijds prachtige natuur, anderzijds veel armoede in het gebied waar we doorheen reden. Armoedige huisjes en mensen die gewoon buiten sliepen. Opvallend was wel dat iedereen rond 6.30 lokale tijd al wakker was en buiten op straat zat. Naarmate we meer naar de stad reden, zag je minder armoede. Ze rijden hier aan de linkerkant van de weg, dus dat was even wennen!
Eenmaal aangekomen bij het huis, bleek er niemand thuis te zijn. Onze gastmoeder zat nog op een ander eiland i.v.m. paasweekend. Daarom werden we naar Rita's lodge gebracht. Daar konden we even bijkomen van onze reis, konden we wat eten en kregen we een kamer waar we even konden slapen.
Begin van de middag gingen we met één van onze coördinators naar de stad om wat formele zaken op de office door te nemen. Er werd ons gelijk duidelijk gemaakt dat we in Samoa zijn en dat we hier moeten relaxen. Geen gehaast en te laat komen is hier normaal! Het is hier dan ook veel te warm om je druk te maken (zo rond de 34 graden).
Daarna zijn we gaan lunchen. Ook hier wordt Pasen gevierd, dus alles was gesloten, behalve de MC Donalds haha! We hebben onze hamburger wel met een heel mooi uitzicht aan zee met palmbomen gegeten. Daarna zijn we even gaan zwemmen bij een strandje om wat af te koelen.
Om 17.30 gingen we naar ons gastgezin voor onze eerste ontmoeting. We kregen een heel hartelijk welkom van onze gastmoeder en werden naar onze kamer gebracht (een apart huisje in de tuin). We slapen daar met z'n drieën (mijn reisgenootje, een Belgisch meisje en ik). Daarna kregen we een rondleiding door het huis van onze gastmoeder.
's Avonds hebben we met het hele gezin gezamenlijk gegeten. Hier in Samoa leeft de hele familie gezamenlijk in één huis om voor elkaar te kunnen zorgen en heerst er een hiërarchie. Zo eten normaal eerst de ouderen en daarna pas de kinderen. Na het eten zijn we naar ons huisje gegaan en rond 23.00 zijn we gaan slapen.
Liefs Shanice
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[message] => Na behoorlijk wat vliegen ben ik in Apia aangekomen op Samoa. De chauffeur had heel veel te vertellen onderweg, was niet af te stoppen, maar was gelukkig wel amusant. Na een heet nachtje, ondanks de airco, ben ik op zoek gegaan naar vervoer. Het is hier warm en vochtig en dan is een eigen auto wel zo prettig.
Is gelukt. Beetje louche tent en een gare auto. Het enige dat werkt is de airconditioning...
Het eiland is erg mooi! Prachtige baaien en helder water. Doe er een foto bij van het uitzicht 's morgens vroeg vanuit mijn slaapkamer. Eigenlijk een soort houten podiumpje aan het strand. Gelukkig wel met matras en klamboe!
Ik hou het kort want wifi is hier onbetaalbaar!
Morgen met de pont naar het buureiland Savai'i. Dat is groter en nog verlatener...
PS: ik zit niet op American Samoa, zoals de kaart het volgens mij aangeeft, maar ten westen daarvan.
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[title] => A Dutch girl in Samoa: CH 7 ‘Count down’
[message] => Hello Everybody,
Already nearly a month has been passed since my last update, so time for a new one. I haven’t done anything much special lately, so that’s why I didn’t had anything to report so soon.
Also this week is my last week at my internship placements and I have/want some things to do before I go to Fiji on holiday next week. Now I am busy and don’t have time to write my weblog. I can’t go too far into details in this update, but I will write more in my next update. This one will be the last one and I will be home again! I can’t believe it is almost finished. Let the count down begin.
Sunday, the 31st of May 2015 at 06.18am Annick and I were both awakened by an earthquake. Now don’t be alarmed, while it was just a medium earthquake. The earthquake measured a 5,8 on the scale of Richter. Quite the same as last time. The bed and walls were moving. An earthquake feels like one wrinkle in the water when a drop just have fallen into it. You feel the earth coming, getting stronger and then going again. First your bed begins to shake a little bit, then it begins to shake a bit harder, followed by shaking of the walls, this continues for approximately 10 seconds and finally the shaking stops gradually. For Annick this was her first earthquake she ever felt. For me it was the fifth and the fourth in Samoa. Still when it happened I was on my guard and ready to go under the desk or go outside. And on Tuesday, the 9th of June at 4 o’clock in the early morning there was another earthquake. This time it had a magnitude of 5,3 on the scale of Richter. Also with this one the walls shook a bit. It is probably the time for earthquakes or something, because there was another one on Friday, the 12th of June at 00.07 in the middle of the night. This one had a magnitude of 6. However you also need to put the depth and centre in account
I have been on the Samoan television a couple of times. The first time I was one of the audience at the male model show. The second time was during Eastern mass. Another time was at the closing ceremony of a workshop and then I was on television during Independence Day. Before I go further on independence day, here a short Samoan history lesson. Samoa was once occupied by Germany around the first World War and then by New Zealand. Samoa gained its independence on the 1st of January 1962 and the first of the Pacific Islands. It is now celebrated at the 1st of June. That day I to get up very early. That is five in the morning. There was a speech and then marching from 6 till around 8 o’clock. There were all kind of schools and organisations etc. gathered on the field next to the court house. I was with the Loto Taumafai School in the red puletasi uniform. After some speeches and hoisting the Samoan flag we started to march. Because we had some disabled people, we were the first people who marched (or rather walked) through the VIP tent, passing the prime minister and head of state and its wife. I still don’t know if it’s one person or that the prime minister and head of state are two persons. Because I don’t know the face I was not who is who. So but yeah that was the marching. For me marching means walking some distance, but that was not the case. It was just walking past the high chiefs of the country and that’s it. The reason it takes so long, is because there are so many schools and organisations. I was very glad we were the first ones, because it started to pouring rain right after we’ve been through the VIP tent. All the staff and students quickly went into the vans and cars that stood next to the field. Everyone got some breakfast (hotdog) and the children were being brought home immediately. It was too bad that it rained that morning. While in the afternoon the sun began to show itself. After the marching someone took me home and I went straight to bed. After 2 hours of sleep I went back to the court house again. There was dancing and singing from several villages. It was nice to watch it. This also took about 2 hours and in the end I got back home again. My host family just stayed home and watched everything on television. They of course have experienced it many times before now. However for me it’s special and I wanted to be there and experience it. The other volunteers were here and there that day.
As I said before, I didn’t do anything spectacular last few weeks. The Saturdays (on Sunday everything is closed) were always rainy. So Annick and I just been to Palolo Deep Marine Reserve twice. This beach is the closest to Apia and it has such nice coral and many fish. There are some small black fish who stare at you and even bite sometimes. It luckily doesn’t hurt that much. The other time I went there was also with Louise and Kristine. We only talked then. That day was a Saturday, two days before Independence Day. That Saturday was also cloudy, but no rain. In the afternoon was a Fautasi race. A fautasi is a cano with around 45 persons in it. The race took 2 hours out in the sea and the last few minutes was at Apia itself. They finished at the wharf. It was good to something cultural.
Saturday and Sunday 6 and 7th of June me and some other volunteers went to Namu’a island. That weekend was absolutely perfect. We saw turtles from the small motorboat that took us to the Island, the weather was great (got more tanned) and we were with a nice group. I walked around the Island during low tide, climbed the hill and snorkelled.
The weekend after that I and some (other) volunteers went to Lalomanu. I didn’t really like this weekend. The fiafia show on Saturday evening was nice though. Afterwards few got drunk, weather wasn’t that nice, couldn’t do very much and I felt tired. Not really a nice last whole weekend in Samoa unfortunately.
Talking about rainy weather. Again it rained on a Saturday, when everything is open. Why oh why? It supposed to be ‘dry’ season. However, it is a bit colder. Especially during the evenings. I sometimes even have to wear a vest. It is also a bit less humid.
At school everything goes well. I did my two workshops, which was a success. I did some observation in class and give some tips to the teachers.
The current volunteers at this moment are Annick from Luxembourg, Florian from France, Tobias from Holland, Kristine from Norway, Helen and Sophie (mother and 7-year-old daughter) from New Zealand, Jessica and Claire from Australia and Olivia from America. The group is getting slowly bigger now, with more people coming in July.
Do not forget to check my Facebook page ‘Psychologist Projects Abroad Samoa’ (http://facebook.com/psychologistsamoa) for photos and videos.
Lots of love from Samoa!
Naomi
For the non-Dutch readers: if you want to read my previous updates. I have translated the Dutch words on this site to English in my first update. You will find it on the left side of this update at ‘reisverslagen’ [= travel blogs] (below the photo of the beach). Next click on ‘new adventure awaits’, (name of my first update). Or you can click on ‘vorige bericht’ [= previous blog] below this update until you get to the first update.
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This month is the fourth month and entering the 16th week I am here. I arrived the end of January and will leave at the 2nd of July. So counting down from now it is about seven and a half week until my adventure ends and I go back home! Also I can take the last one and a half week off. This means my time at the school and hospital will be 6 weeks. My journey back home begins when I leave Apia Faleolo Airport on Thursday, 2nd of July at 06.15h. I will fly via Sydney and Singapore to Amsterdam Schiphol Airport. On Friday, 3rd of July at 07.15h I will be on Dutch grounds again.
So now that everyone knows when I will be back, let’s focus on the present again. Annick and I went to a see a Baha’i temple at the 25th of April. There are only eight Baha’i Houses of Worship in the world. One of these Baha’i temples is here in Samoa. In Tiapapata. The others are in Chicago (USA), Panama city (Panama), Santiago (Chili), Kampala (Uganda), New Delhi (India), Sydney (Australia), Frankfurt (Germany). I have never heard of the Baha’i religion, but now I know that it is established 1863 AD. originating from Persia. They believe in God and have nine principles. I found the temple itself not that beautiful, but the gardens surrounding the temple were very peaceful.
Next day we celebrated the birthday of Alana at the beach. There were many people, because there were also other family members and friends whose grandmother just passed away. Annick did not come. We drove about an hour before we reached the beach on the south side of the Island. Before Alana and the rest came with other cars, we decorated a fale and prepared lunch. Jacinta hired some fales for that day. We had a swim, lunch and blew out some candles. The weather that day was not that great unfortunately. It rained the last 2 hours when we were there. At that time I were in the warm ocean waters. I don’t experience this often, to be able to swim in the rain. The weather has still been the same ever since I got here. Humid, warm, sunny, cloudy or rain. The month May supposed to be the month where the dry season starts. It should be more agreeable, but I haven’t noticed any changes yet. Luckily, the temperature drops at night and up in the mountains is usually cooler. Also when it is raining, it is less hot.
The weekend from Friday, the 1st of May till Sunday, 3rd of May most of the volunteers and I went to Savai’i. This would be my third time that I go to this amazing Island. On Friday afternoon we got the two cars we hired for the weekend. We all arrived on time to catch the 16 o’clock ferry. The ferry took us in one hour to Savai’i. From the wharf it was around 30 till 45 minutes till we arrived at Janes Beach Fales. I drove the whole way, from Apia to the fales. I already have driven on the left side of the road in the UK and Ireland, but I have never driven with the steering wheel on the right side. Also the car was an automatic. Luckily, there is not much traffic outside Apia and not many roads. I brought all the people who were in my car safe to Savai’i. The other two days another volunteer drove the car. Because it was already dark when we arrived, we did nothing on Friday. We did a lot on Saturday however. The persons in each car went its own way. After breakfast we first went to visit the Saleaula lava field. The field was formed by the 1905-1911 eruption of Mount Matavanu. It covers around 76 square kilometres of northern and north eastern Savai’i and was one of the biggest eruptions of the 20th century. You can see a church at the site where the lave went. After walking around on the lave we got back on the road and drove to the next sighting. Less than 15 minutes away is the Peapea Cave. Also here you have to pay to visit, like anywhere else in Samoa. Peapea is a kind of black bird that lives here. We saw a few of them at the cave flying around. You could walk a little bit into the cave. A Samoan guided us and gave us some flashlights, while it was pitch black in there. When we got out of the cave again we drove to the rainforest on the north western side of the Island. There we did the canopy walk. You go high up the stairs and walk up a wooden hanging bridge many meters above the ground. For some it was fun, but for the most of us it was a bit scary. After the bridge you can go up higher via stairs that goes round a huge tree. From there you have a nice view of the forest. Next stop was Lovers Leap. This is just a nice view of some cliffs and you pay for the story that goes with it. On an information board was written: “A legend but a true story about an old blind woman and her daughter staying together with their family many years ago. The old lady’s anger after ignoring by their family at meal time to leave they came to the top of the mako with nothing else in mind but to jump down. The old woman picked up her daughter settled her tightly on her back before they jumped into the sea. On hitting the sea water the old woman suddenly changed into a turtle and her daughter into a shark. Ever since a turtle and a shark are often sighted as regular visitor appearing together in this very spot. Lovers Leap actually means the great love of an old blind woman to her daughter as they jumped down together.” We saw no turtle or shark, but we did see some more peapea birds. We took some pictures and got in the car again. Some volunteers hadn’t have seen the Blowholes yet, so we went there. Because I already have seen the blowholes, I did not take so many pictures as I did the first time. The experience wasn’t any less coming there for the second time. We wanted to go to some waterfalls and swim there, but it was raining unfortunately. We then decided to go to our next accommodation, which was at the family of one of the volunteers Samoan boyfriend. But before we arrived at the house we stopped at a black sand beach along the road to take some pictures. That was the last thing we did or saw that day. At the house we had a swim, shower, dinner and later on went to bed. Next day was a Sunday, so that means swimming, snorkelling, taking some more pictures and catch the ferry back to Apia.
While in Savai’i I learned from my father that I was in Saturday’s newspaper column. The PZC, local newspaper. The article is called ‘avonturier’ (adventurer). The first part of the column was about a Dutch girl in Nepal during the earthquake and then the article switch to me being in Samoa. My name isn’t mentioned, but I have been referred to in the article. A friend of my father writes columns and heard about me being on the other side of the world. I laughed when I read it. It was about being so far away and that there can be cyclones.
The 10th of May was also Mother’s day in Samoa. Mother’s day in Samoa means a special church service and a day off on Monday. I stayed at home that long weekend to experience Mother’s day with my host family and to take it easy. The mass dedicated to mothers on Sunday was almost the same as any other mass, except for a few things. The first was that the preacher talked about mothers. The second was that at the end of the mass, the mothers got an Ula (garland) made out of candy. The Samoans give or wear an Ula (made from flowers or candy) on special occasions. After the mass we went back home. The rest of the day they (family and friends) had a party (drinking, talking and music) in the fale. It felt almost the same as during Eastern. I am surprised about the amount of alcohol they are able to bear without having much food in their stomach. During the afternoon they only have some chips and salty bites. But it is also on other days and with other Samoans that are able to function without having any lunch. I am still surprised about this fact. I might be skinny, small or tiny (or whatever you may call it ;)), but my stomach is really protesting if I don’t eat something in the afternoon.
Now let’s see what else I can tell about Samoa. Ah yes, clothes. For example some women wear a Puletasi for work. It is hard to describe what Puletasi is. Well, I don’t really have to describe it, if I can show it. Because I have a Puletasi myself and will put the picture of it on my Facebook page. The Puletasi consist of two pieces. You have the kind of skirt/sarong called the Lavalava and a long kind of shirt for the upper body part. Furthermore, what I like about here is that the women (and even some men) and Fa’afafine put flowers in their hair. It is as we all know something typical Polynesian. I also like that is something typical in everyday life here. They use plastic as well as real flowers. I personally like the Aute flower (a red hibiscus flower). You see those flowers everywhere here. The girls here have furthermore such nice long black hair (also the typical Polynesian image we have) usually in a bun or braided. I furthermore noticed that there skin is very smooth. Not many have pimples or zits or whatever. It must be the warm humid air here, because even my own skin is better here than in the Netherlands. Back to the clothing, I almost forget about the shoes or rather the flip-flops. Almost everybody wears flip-flops everywhere and anywhere. You only wear shoes if you go exercising or if you require it for safety at work. The feet of the Samoans must be made of hard skin, because I see some Samoans just walk barefoot. I have seen children just walking barefooted on rocks or dead coral etc. Very impressive. Now I almost forget to tell what some men are wearing to work. They usually wear a black Lavalava with pockets and a shirt with Samoan prints on it.
Another typical Polynesian, our South Pacific, thing is the beach. Not just outside the water, but also inside the water is absolutely beautiful. Last Saturday (16th of May) my roommate Annick and I went to Piula Cave Pool. It’s half an hour with the bus. The water in the pool is fresh and cool. And in that pool are fish. Those are the biggest fish I’ve seen so far in Samoa. Because the water was very clear, you could see them swim around you. Truly amazing! The next day I saw some more fish, as I went to the Palolo Deep Marine Reserve in Apia. It was so hot that day and I really needed to have a swim to cool down. That place has such incredible coral and different kind of fish. I was happy I could borrow my roommate’s underwater camera (mine sadly doesn’t work anymore). Snorkelling here in Samoa is definitely a thing I will miss when I will be back home. I probably have been in the water for one hour. Too bad I don’t live at the beach, then I would swim every day and don’t have to pay for it. Palolo costs 4 tala.
I almost forget to show you how my Samoan vocabulary has extended over these couple of weeks. I probably forgot some words, but here are some I can come up with now.
afio mai - welcome
aiga - family
alofa - love
aua - don’t / stop
fa - four
fa’afetai (lava) - thank you (very much)
fa’amolemole - please
fale - house
fiafia - happy
ioe - yes
leai - no
lima - five
lua - two
lua sefulu fa - twenty four
maketi - market
manaia - delicious
manuia / lelei - good
matafaga - beach
mauga - mountain
moa - chicken
namu - mosquito
O a mai oe? - How are you?
palagi - white person
pepe - butterfly
sau - come
talofa - hello / welcome
tama - father
tama - boy
tamaiti - children
tasi - one
timu - rain
tina - mother
tofa soifua / fa - (good)bye
tulou - excuse me
ulufafo - exit
ulufale - entrance
vai - water
vevela - hot
The current volunteers at this moment (which are not so many now) are Annick from Luxembourg, Louise from Denmark, Alex from the UK, Florian from France, Tobias from Holland and Rachelle from Australia.
Do not forget to check my Facebook page ‘Psychologist Projects Abroad Samoa’ (http://facebook.com/psychologistsamoa) for photos and videos.
Lots of love from Samoa!
Naomi
For the non-Dutch readers: if you want to read my previous updates. I have translated the Dutch words on this site to English in my first update. You will find it on the left side of this update at ‘reisverslagen’ [= travel blogs] (below the photo of the beach). Next click on ‘new adventure awaits’, (name of my first update). Or you can click on ‘vorige bericht’ [= previous blog] below this update until you get to the first update.
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Sorry for waiting so long for my next update!
I will begin this update by telling you a bit more about my internship. In my very first update I said I was going to the Mental Health Unit of the national Hospital or the Tupua Tamasese Meaole Hospital and Goshen Trust. Well, the place of the internship has been changed now. Since three weeks I am at the Loto Taumafai School and with two Social Workers at the hospital. Monday till Thursday I am at the school and Friday I go to the hospital. The month March was a bit of a switching month. Now I can work at my new placements in April, May and June. I changed because there was not much to do and it was too much working with adults.
Loto Taumafai is a school for children with disabilities and is going to be a nice challenge for me. The age range varies between 4 and 25 years old. They are not sure what the children exactly have. Most say the children are slow learners, slow in reading and writing, deaf or naughty. I cannot do a proper assessment or diagnose them properly. Simply because there are no tests available. I can observe some children and get as much information about them as I can and form a sort of conclusion. The main thing I probably will be doing is to give psycho education to the teachers. When I will be gone, I have passed on some mental health knowledge.
With the Social Workers I will be doing counselling and working on a project with a group of mothers whose babies are malnutrition.
This month and the end of March I have been away during the weekends. For example the weekend of Saturday, 28th of March and Sunday, 29th me and three others went to Manono Island. The Island lies between the big Islands of Upolu and Savai’i. The best thing about Manono Island is that there are no cars and no dogs! With the bus it takes you about 1,5 hours to go the Manono wharf and costs you just 5 tala. From there the Sunset View boat will take you to the Fales within 20 minutes. That day we walked up Mount Tulimanuiva and passed by a star mound and grave of Afutiti. Walking down and back to the Fales in the hot sun we also passed by the Grave of 99 stones. Next day was a Sunday, so that means usually (almost) every tourist attraction is closed. The one thing you then can do is swim in the ocean, so we swam in the ocean on Sunday. We had visited everything that’s on that small little Island anyway.
The weekend after we went to Manono was Easter weekend. Here it is a Christian holiday and all the other things like the Easter bunny, Easter branches or Easter eggs is unknown here. Here in Samoa they start going to church on Thursday evening until Sunday. They go at least once a day and sometimes even twice. I only went to church with my host family on Easter Sunday. The only difference from a regular mass was that there were more people and more in white clothing. In the evening there was a touring circus, the Magic Circus of Samoa, in a village just 20 minutes from us. I went with two others and we all had a great time. The highlight was meeting the shortest man alive. He really is short! The man is called Chandra Bahadur Dangi, has a length of 54,6 centimeters, comes from Nepal and is 76 years old. It was a nice evening. Then on Easter Monday (6th of April 2015) every one of the volunteers except Annick went to Palolo Deep Marine Reserve Apia. It is highly recommended to snorkel there! Such incredible coral and beautiful fish! That day the volunteers Anja and Eivor flew back home in the evening and we had to say goodbye to them.
From Thursday, 9th of April till Sunday, the 12th of April 2015 I went with Tobias and his host mother and father to Savai’i. I could take the Thursday and Friday off. We slept the first two nights at their family (at Vailoa village) and the third night at Lauiula Beach Fales (at Lano village). We arrived pretty late on Thursday and it was raining that day. So we decided to stay at the house of the family. Next day the host father had to arrange a seminar in his village. We helped him by setting up the projector and making pictures. In return we had another good Samoan experience. There were some important people (a minister, someone from UNESCO, 2 others), you had to wear a lavalava or puletasi and there was free lunch at the end. I was glad I was able to take some pictures, because the whole thing was in Samoan. After the seminar we went to the Afu-A-Au Falls, which lies next to the village. The water there is clear, fresh and sweet. The water is probably even potable. We spend the whole afternoon there swimming, talking with tourists and taking pictures. Next day we woke up early and went to the Alofa’aga Blowholes. We had to wait at least one hour before we were able to catch a bus to the village of Taga, where the Blowholes are. The weather was finally on our side and the sight was amazing. The power of the water going high up in the air is incredible! After taking a lot of pictures of this force of nature we took two busses to Tafua Savai’i crater at Tafua Peninsula Rainforest Preserve. This went in a Samoan way: ‘Yes, we go to that direction’, it stopped a few times to get e.g. food, ‘You go and take that bus now’, we thinking in 2nd bus: ‘But we are driving back now?’, at the end when bus stopped for us: ‘So, where is the start of going to the crater?’. Luckily, the people are friendly and you somehow get to the place you want to go eventually. We were guided to the crater by some teenage girls and two boys. When finally there we had to take pictures very fast, cause it began to rain. When we were back at the starting point standing dry, one of the girls called a taxi for us. He brought us to the Lauiula Beach Fales on the East coast. Sleeping there wasn’t expensive, cause we only had to pay 50 tala for one night per person with dinner and breakfast included. The weekend was pretty cheap anyway, because we only had to pay 60 tala per person to the family for two nights. It was, despite the rainy weather, pretty nice at the Fales. It was not so big and not full of people, since it is low season. After a rainy night we woke up, had breakfast and went snorkelling/swimming. It was then already Sunday, so most things are closed. The sun showed itself briefly that morning. With snorkelling it doesn’t matter anyway if it is raining or sunny, the coral and fish still look beautiful. Around noon a taxi took us back to the ferry. Leaving the wharf at exactly 2 o’clock, the long weekend in Savai’i was at an end.
Monday, the 13th of April I experienced a second birthday in Samoa. Jacinta, the host mother of Annick and I, had her birthday that day. In the morning I did not know it yet. Coming into the kitchen I saw Ana, the daughter, making eggs, bacon, white beans in tomato sauce and pancakes. I just thought they were doing a big breakfast for a change. Then I heard it was Jacinta’s birthday. In the evening there were all kinds of delicious things. They were all making fun of me, because I ate a lot haha. Also there was singing, cake and ice scream at the end. Yammie!
During my stay here in Samoa I experienced three earthquakes now. The first two were very small. It felt like someone was shaking your bed. The third and most recent one was a bigger one. It was on a Tuesday (7th of April, 2015). I just sat in the Projects Abroad Office with Flora, the Samoan volunteer. Suddenly I felt that the floor and desk were a bit shaking. Then it was shaking heavier and also the walls were a bit shaking. For one moment I thought if I should go hide under the desk or not. I looked at Flora, but she stayed in her chair looking around cautiously. Suddenly it all stopped. This all happened within one minute. Later I learned that the earthquake was a 5,8 on the Scale of Richter. It was heavier than I thought and experienced. Some other volunteers had felt it as well and some hadn’t noticed at all. They were probably in a bus or car.
On Saturday, the 18th of April, some volunteers and I went to the Return to Paradise Beach, which belongs to a resort with the same name. It was the first time I have seen such big waves and so close to the shore here in Samoa. It is very hard to swim there, because of the current. However the beach looks gorgeous. The name of the beach comes from the 1951 Gary Cooper film ‘Return to Paradise’. So when I am back in Holland, I will have to download and watch that movie. It was a pity that the weather was not in our favour and we had to wait at least one hour till we got some food. Everyone, except me, wanted pizza. Unfortunately, some guests of the resort also ordered pizza. The result of this was that only one of the volunteers and I got what we ordered at first. The rest had to take something else. After some swimming and playing beach volley ball or rugby, having a long lunch and hanging around we went back on time. We had to get back on time, because Annick and I had to make dinner for our host family that evening. We wanted to cook for a change. Annick made Spaghetti Carbonara, but it turned out to be scrambled eggs. The day before when we did the shopping, we couldn’t find any cream and therefore had to use milk. Luckily, I found all the correct ingredients for my Spaghetti Bolognese, even though we had to go to three supermarkets before we found minced meat. In the end there was plenty of Spaghetti and everyone liked both the sauces.
As I told in my last update, the month April is a month of change regarding coming and going of volunteers. The current volunteers at this moment are Annick from Luxembourg, Kellie from Belgium, Kira and Ann from Germany, Louise from Denmark, Alex from the UK, Florian from France, Tobias from Holland, Kathrin from Austria and Lillian (elder lady) from Norway. There has also been a change of Projects Abroad staff members. Faleolo, the Project Coordinator has left. Alex, a Samoan who has lived most his life in Australia, is now the new Project Coordinator. Also Lindsay a young man from Australia has joined the team.
Do not forget to check my Facebook page ‘Psychologist Projects Abroad Samoa’ (http://facebook.com/psychologistsamoa) for photos and videos.
Pasefua! Fa!
Naomi
For the non-Dutch readers: if you want to read my previous updates. I have translated the Dutch words on this site to English in my first update. You will find it on the left side of this update at ‘reisverslagen’ [= travel blogs] (below the photo of the beach). Next click on ‘new adventure awaits’, (name of my first update). Or you can click on ‘vorige bericht’ [= previous blog] below this update until you get to the first update.
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Here is another update from far far away!
First I would like to say that I have found a way to put a lot of photos and clips via the internet. I have made a Facebook page called ‘Psychologist Projects Abroad Samoa’ (http://facebook.com/psychologistsamoa). I got the idea thanks to my roommate. It’s good that I have the Facebook page now, because I couldn’t put many more photos here. So, please go ahead, see and like my page.
Now back to my update about Samoa. I will now give you some things that I noticed here in Samoa and some facts. For example, they drive on the left side of the road here. I probably would have to get used to be on the right side of the road when I am back home again. Driving on the left has only been since the 7th of September 2009. At that time there were some protesters in front of the building, but the government changed it anyway. In one day every sign etc. was changed. If you want to buy a car after that, the steering wheel had to be on the right side of the car. Nowadays you still see some (old) cars or busses with the steering wheel on the left side. The government changed this, because over time it has made a lot of connections with Australia and New Zealand. This has also been the reason that the country lost 24 hours as it jumped over the international date line from East to West from 29th of December to 31st of December 2011. This meant that there was no 30th of December that year. The ones who had their birthday then, had to celebrate it on the 29th or 31st of December. With this change it had become easier to doing business with Australia and New Zealand. Also Samoa is now the first country who celebrates New Year and is not the last one anymore. Samoa is at this moment 13 hours ahead of the Netherlands. However it will be 12 hours of time difference soon, as summertime will begin on Sunday, the 29th of March in the Netherlands. Then the clock will be set an hour ahead. Already a week later (5th or April), the clock will be set back for 1 hour here in Samoa. From then on till the last Sunday of September Samoa will be 11 hours ahead of the Netherlands.
Now I would like to tell you about the lovely animals you have here on these Islands. You have mosquitos who like palagis (people with white skin), aggressive dogs, salamanders walking up and down the walls, chickens and roosters you hear early in the morning, crickets you hear at night together with the dogs, very thin horses, pigs rummaging about and some birds which one kind I think makes a very odd sound. The mosquitos and dogs are the worst. You get always stung by a mosquito whatever preventive means you have. Then you are always a bit afraid of dogs that might chase you or even bite you. There were now only two times I got dogs running after me while I was cycling and one time I was really afraid of some dogs when I walked to Goshen the first time. Bottom line: I won’t miss the mosquitos and dogs at all when I will be back home! The rest of the animals I can live with. I do feel a bit sorry for the dogs. How they are kept here as a pet is so much different then back home. They live outside instead of inside the house, because of the heat and dirt they might bring inside. Dog food from the store is expensive so they get the leftover chicken bones from dinner. People don’t really teach them like giving a paw or to sit etc. I see no real punishments or rewards given to the dogs. However they do listen a bit luckily. The dogs don’t seem to be very impressed by cars. They just lie or sit on the road sometimes and leave their spot until a car is like 1 till 2 meters away from them. It is unbelievable! As a driver it’s very annoying, cause you have to slow down trying not to run over the dog. My host family has two dogs. The old dog Bingo and the puppy Tiger.
In the first chapter I already told a bit about taking the bus here. I told there were no schedules or actual bus stops. And you pull the cord when you want to get out. I do have to correct a fact that I wrote about the price. It is luckily not always 1,50 tala. For me it is 1,50 to town and then 1 tala to the hospital. So it does depend on the distance. When taking the bus I advise to try to avoid rush hour when everyone goes to or comes from work or school. The bus might be so full that there’s no room for you and passes by leaving you to wait for the next overfull bus. When you can go on the bus you either have to sit on somebody’s lap, have someone else (child) on your lap, have to stand or you can just sit normally. There is some kind of hierarchy in the bus. Usually the younger boys or men sit at the back. Older people will sit in the front and often people make room for them. Girls almost always end up sitting on each other’s or someone else’s lap. And I, a foreigner, am sometimes spared to have somebody on my lap or have to sit on somebody else’s lap. Thus quite an experience!
Another way of transportation is going by taxi. This is more expensive than taking the bus. If I want to go to the office of Projects Abroad I have to pay 7 tala. The thing with the taxi here is when you need one there’s no one around, but when you don’t need one it’s always like: Taxi? Taxi? Taxi?! Very annoying. Sometimes I am not even bothered to say no and just ignore. The times you have to take the taxi is usually during evening or at night. The bus only goes from 06.00h till 18.00h. I cannot go with my bike, because I don’t have lights and I am uncomfortable biking when the sun is down. You can spare some costs when you have to take the taxi by walking a bit first and then take the taxi for the last part (or other way round). Writing about the taxi makes me think about the driving style and traffic here. Like you just go through red light if you see there’s no traffic to the direction you want to go. There are not many road signs. So many people drive too fast. I don’t know what you have to do exactly to get a driving licence. It would probably be very easy. You cannot get lost very quickly, because there are not many roads in Samoa. If you do get lost, it’s not difficult to find your way again. Driving in town during rush hour on a school/working day you have to watch out. Driving on a Sunday somewhere far away from Apia is very laid back.
Some other typical Samoan thing is the shouting. They shout at each other at the other side of the house. They call out someone’s name and sometimes add Sau! (come) or O fea oe! (where are you). Another thing is when eating and/or drinking they tend to make noise (smack, smack, smack). There’s also not really a settled dinner time. Annick and I usually eat earlier, because they always eat very late. I still am surprised that they don’t feel any hunger around 6 o’clock. Furthermore don’t be surprised if someone is asking about your name, age and marital status. Another thing here is that you put your flip flops at the entrance before entering a house or fale.
I went to a Fa’afafine show on Thursday (12th of March) and the first male model show on Friday (13th of March). Fa’afafine means ‘to be a woman’ (“fa’a” means “to be” and “fafine” means “woman”). They are born men, but they see themselves as females and grow up choosing to identify with the female gender. The fa’afafine is to be considered the third gender here in Samoa and so are accepted by most Samoan people. The show on Thursday was with three fa’afafines and the show on Friday had six contestants. Both shows were really funny. Not many people attended it though. The categories for the male show were traditional ware, lava lava, talent and interview. Prince nr. 1 had won the first category and was also the grand winner. Prince nr. 4 won the other three categories. Oh and the most funny part was during the Fa’afafine show. They liked Tobias, the other Dutch volunteer. It was so funny when he had to go on stage and everyone laughed so hard. He had a nice first week.
I furthermore experienced a birthday for the first time here in Samoa. John, the son, had his birthday on the 10th of March. We had a nice dinner with the whole family in the evening with cake and singing afterwards. Also before eating there was a prayer. Because it was a special event, the prayer was a bit longer than usual.
Lastly, the current volunteers at this moment are Annick from Luxembourg, Kira and Yvonne from Germany, Kellie from Belgium (German part), Anja from Denmark, Melissa from America, Eivor (Ivy) from Norway, Tobias from the Netherlands and Alice from Canada (French part). Birgitta has left and the other elder lady Christa has just arrived. Also I forgot to tell and didn’t know before that Nori is from a Japanese volunteer organisation. As for Bumbei, he is still here I presume. He does a language program for a whole year or something. Next month (April) there is going to be a switch. Some volunteers are going away and new volunteers will be arriving.
Naomi
For the non-Dutch readers: if you want to read my previous updates. I have translated the Dutch words on this site to English in my first update. You will find it on the left side of this update at ‘reisverslagen’ [= travel blogs] (below the photo of the beach). Next click on ‘new adventure awaits’, (name of my first update). Or you can click on ‘vorige bericht’ [= previous blog] below this update until you get to the first update.
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Time goes by so quickly. It is already my fourth update and my third here in Samoa. Also I have been here for over one month now.
From now on I will try to update you more often, so it won’t be such long texts. And I still have to figure out how to be able to put more photos and clips. Perhaps I can download the photos and clips on another site and put the link in the update.
Here in Samoa you don’t have Wi-Fi everywhere. This means that you cannot go on the internet whenever you want. When you want to go on the internet you can go to one of the few internet cafes in Apia. There are also some hotspots. I myself always go to the Projects Abroad office, where they have Wi-Fi. At the office is a computer with internet which all volunteers can use. You can of course bring your own laptop or mobile with you. It’s just that the office is only open during the afternoon for couple of hours. You can mail or look up something at internet, but because of the time difference it is a bit difficult to skype. Another way to have internet is to buy an internet dongle for your laptop. I have just bought one and now I can also go on internet at home. But just like with the phone you have to top up, get more credit and data. You can buy for example 675 mb for 19 tala, but it only last for one week. To check your balance, you can call *120 and to check how much data you have left you dial *130. Then it will show on you mobile how much you got. This is the only way here in Samoa to be able to call, text and go on internet.
So now something different. On Thursday (19-febr-2015) was another social event. This time we were taught how to cook traditional Samoan Umu. We went to one of the host families. We have been showed how to prepare, wrap and cook the food in an oven ground that was traditionally used and is still used today by most Samoan families. We had coconuts, baked green banana’s, ripe yellow banana’s, taro, taro leaves, bread fruit, fish (tuna) and chicken. We made Palusami (coconut milk in taro leaves) and Faiaieleni (fish in coconut milk). It is a long process. We started at 5pm and could finally eat at 8pm. Imagine they did this every day. Now it is only done on Sunday (see also last update).
Following weekend, that of 21st of February, my roommate finally arrived early Sunday morning. She came with the exact same flight as me, but then precisely 4 weeks later. Her name is Annick and comes from Luxembourg. She is also 24 and is an occupational therapist. So far she is very nice and a good roommate ;). That Sunday she slept in the morning. She had been in Australia for 4 weeks, so she did not had a huge jetlag or was exhausted from the long journey. In the afternoon we went to the Papasaea Sliding Rocks near Apia. In the beginning it looks a bit scary to slide down, but afterwards it is not as bad as you think it was.
The current volunteers at this moment are my roommate Annick from Luxembourg, Ashley from Australia, Kira and Yvonne from Germany, Kellie from Belgium (German part), Anja from Denmark, Melissa from America, Eivor (or Ivy) from Norway and Christa, an older lady but looks very youthful, from Switzerland. Also there are other volunteers, but we don’t see them much. They are Bumbei and elder lady Nori from Japan and elder lady Birgitta from Sweden. This weekend (7 till 9 march) Ashley will be leaving us and another Dutch person has arrived. Tobias is his name and he arrived on Saturday morning. He stays at another host family. I haven’t met him yet.
The weekend after the arrival of Annick. (Friday, 27-febr-15 – Sunday, 1-march-15) we went with nine people to Lalomanu beach. We hired a minivan and had Ashley as driver. We left on Friday afternoon and arrived at the Taufua beach fales after less than one and a half hour. Upon arrival, the first thing you do is jump into the ocean of course. The water has such a perfect warm temperature. Here in Samoa you can swim in the ocean all year round and it also doesn’t matter whether it is day or night nor when it is raining or sunny. I only would not swim when there is a thunderstorm going on above your head. When everyone was cooled down and had a shower we waited for dinner. They said it would be between 19h and 20h, but in Samoan time it means 20.30h. For dinner we had all kinds of delicious food. There was pasta with broccoli and bacon, meatballs and onions, rice, different kind of vegetables and of course there was chicken. The rest of the evening we sat and talked. At that moment Ivy just arrived at the fales. She came from Fiji, but her original flight got cancelled. At 23.00h everyone went to bed. There was also a backpackers group that stayed there the whole weekend. Two of them were Jutta and Jelle (brother and sister) from Apeldoorn (the Netherlands). The first Dutch people I met since I arrived in Samoa. Funny! Next morning I felt very tired. I wasn’t really that tired when we went to bed. I woke up a couple of times during the night. I found the ocean too close; the sound of it was a bit too loud. Furthermore, the mattress I lay on was very thin. I practically lay on the fale floor. Anyway, in the morning after having a nice breakfast we swam in the ocean again. During the afternoon most of us went to the To Sua Ocean Trench. It consists of “two sinkhole-like depressions with sheer rock walls decorated in greenery…. You can swim under a broad arch of rock from the larger pool, serenaded by droplets of water hitting the surface, to the second large opening to the sky. The pool is fed by the waves surging through an underwater passageway – don’t attempt to swim through it.” (guidebook). You can reach the larger pool by climbing a wooden ladder. Some people dare to jump into the water halfway from the ladder. In Samoa most natural sites are on grounds of a family and you have to pay to be able to visit it. For the trench you also had to pay (20 tala). Up at the trench you could leave your things. You could also go to the toilet or shower if you want or need to. There were furthermore beautiful cliffs at the ocean side. At the trench I came across a colleague from the hospital. She is a social worker and here name is also Naomi. She was there with her son and cousins. It was just when we went away and the others were waiting for me I saw her and had a little talk. On our way back to the fales we made some photos at the beach. That night we had again such a good dinner. There was lobster, mussels, white fish, sushi, mashed potatoes, curry and salad with crab. It was Saturday evening and this means that there’s a fiafia show. A dancing family showed us traditional Samoan dancing. Annick, 3 other girls from the backpackers group and I tried as well. After us some guys were asked to go on the dance floor to try it. Next were some boys and a man who did fire dancing. That was so amazing. This family has lost many of its members at the 2009 Tsunami. You can still see some remaining of the Tsunami. Hereafter you could all go to the dancefloor. Our group however went to the beach a bit further away where Anja played her guitar and sang. That night I still didn’t sleep well, even with an extra mattress. I woke up several times, also because of the rain and thunder. Next day after having again a lovely breakfast (American pancakes) we left Lalomanu beach. We visited two waterfalls on our way back to Apia. This was bit of a downer. It was a waste of 10 tala we had to pay in total. The first waterfall (Sopoaga Waterfall) you couldn’t swim and the second waterfall (Falefa Waterfall) the water looked to dirty to swim. So we drove further, sat at the beach for a little while and arrived in Apia on time to hand in the van. While waiting for the men of the company to come back, we went to the McDonald’s to get some ice scream.
On Sunday, the 8th of march I went to church mass for the second time here in Samoa. It is pretty much the same as home, but still it is nice to experience it at the other side of the world. Mass starts at 9am. This Sunday it finished at 10.20am. Also the children choir sang that Sunday, which is nice. At the start of the mass we first stand up while the preacher speaks. When he is done the choir sings and everyone sits down. After this there is like a 20 minute long preach. It is all in Samoan, so I couldn’t understand a word he said. But even if it was in a language I know, I still would find it boring and not listen to it. Next up was collecting the money for the children choir and the church. Then the best part came, the communion. You’re able to stand up and move a bit again. Because for me the wooden benches are so hard. I don’t have much fat. I remember that the communion is always at the end of the mass. But now after the mass there was still 20 minutes. Within those 20 minutes there’s the final preach. Also between bringing the wine and communion and go to the front to get the communion bread, the people say a hymn and stand with their hand palms up and/or holding hands. For me the whole mass I just followed the rest. Stand whenever they stand, sit whenever they sit, go on the knees, shake hands, make a cross, etc.
Some weeks ago I have sent some postcards and just heard that they have arrived. I now know that it takes about two weeks for a postcard to go from Samoa to the Netherlands. My host mother sent it for me at the 19th of February and my parents and two grandmothers got their cards around the 3rd of March.
Since Thursday evening (05-03-2015) I take antibiotics for a couple of days. I scratched some mosquito bites open and some got infected. Oops! :S
Finally, I have a bike. I started looking for it a couple of weeks ago, but didn’t had much chance to go to the store. It’s really hard to find one, because first of all there are not many bikes and secondly they don’t have a bike shop or bike repairer. You have to go and ask people. And if a shop has bikes, the have only one, two or when you’re lucky three bikes. What I noticed as well is that they only have mountain bikes. One day I found a mountain bike I was happy with and bought that one. Later however I find the kind of bike I was looking for when Annick was looking for a bike last Saturday (7-march-2015). Aarghh!! It was a lady bike with a basket up front and a rack at the back. Such a shame that the bike was also very expensive. That’s just my luck unfortunately. When I don’t look for something, I somehow find it. Ah well, I am now stuck with my cool mountain bike. Annick will probably will buy a cheap mountain bike she saw at another shop.
I will stop here now, before it is getting too long again. Next time I try to update you sooner.
Naomi
For my non-Dutch readers: if you want to read my previous updates e.g. I have translated the Dutch words on this site to English in my first update. You will find it on the left side of this update at ‘reisverslagen’ [= travel blogs] (below the photo of the beach). Next click on ‘new adventure awaits’, (name of my first update). Or you can click on ‘vorige bericht’ [= previous blog] below this update until you get to the first update.
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Here is the second update from rainy Samoa! Yes, rainy. It is not all the sunshine you see on postcards. It is now raining a lot or it is cloudy. This is because it’s at the moment (November till April) rain and cyclone season. From May will be dry season. So I will have to wait several weeks until it is dry season. Not that it is totally bad, because there’s less change I get a sun burned and being in the rain is not as hot as standing in the sun. On the other hand, I cannot make as beautiful pictures now as when the sun shines. Also the air now is very humid, which is not really comfortable. But my hair doesn’t at least get very static. Now in Holland with the dry winter air it would be.
Every week (usually on Wednesday or Thursday) is social event with all the volunteers. On my first social event (Thursday, 29-jan-15) I met almost all the volunteers. We had a social dinner at 6 o’clock at Amanakis Hotel (Amanakis means Hope in another Polynesian language Ana told me). I already knew Kellie from Belgium. The other volunteers were Yakup and Raimund from Germany, Sophie from Austria, Ruby from Australia and Bumbei from Japan. The rest of th volunteers who weren’t there were Birgitta (an older woman) from Sweden and Jessie and Carly from Australia. It was nice to meet some others. You can talk with them, share stories and ask them questions. At dinner everyone ordered a hamburger. Because I still had to recover a little bit from having not eaten much during flight and because of the warmth I wasn’t very hungry I ordered a chicken salad. I tasted very nice though.
On Friday morning (30-jan-15) I went to the Museum of Samoa in town. It was raining the whole day, so I thought I would do something inside. The museum is a small building divided between four air-conditioned, themed rooms: history, culture, Pacific and environment. You don’t have to pay entry fee, but donations are appreciated. The first room I went in on the upper floor was probably Pacific themed. They showed all kind of different miniature boats / canoes. And there was information on how they travelled to other parts of the Pacific. In the history room I came across a nice story. It was called ‘The legend of Lata and the sacred trees’. Basically the story told that Lata should have sacrificed something to the god of trees before cutting anything down. The third room showed what kind of animal life and flora & fauna there is in Samoa and some being endangered. They showed different kind of coral and Samoan shellfish. Then the most interesting room I found, was probably the culture room. The room displayed a miniature Fale, cricket bat and ball (Samoan form of cricket is called kirikiti) and how sennit (fibres of coconut) is made. Also there was information on the traditional art of tattoo. I have put a picture of the poster below. The poster said: ‘Receiving the Tatau: Receiving the male tattoo, the Pe’a, is connected with many rituals and taboos. The tattoo artist, the tufuga ta tatau, is highly respected and will leave the process unfinished, if taboos have been broken. / There are distinct steps in the creation of the male tattoo which have to follow in a certain sequence: The asofaalava (first line on the back) determines the width of the va’a (boat) and the pe’a (bat; design beneath the va’a). The va’a is outlined and completed. The tattoo continues down the back and over the thighs to the back of the knees. The sides of the back and hips are tattooed. The front of the legs are filled in. The finishing parts of the tattoo are the punialo (lower abdomen) and the pute (navel). / During this whole process, the taboos have to be observed. The recipient never is left alone, but has to stay away from his wife or any other sexual relationship. He can only bath in seawater; the pus and blood have to be wiped up continuously. There should be no harsh noise around the house or where the tattoo makes place, and no sick person can stay there. Members of the family will accompany the recipient and comfort him with their songs. They also have to support the process by providing the gifts to the tattoo artist. / The Pe’a can take days, weeks or months, depending on the ability of the recipient to stand the excruciating pain, on the skills of the tufuga, and on the healing process. / At the completion, a ceremony takes place to lift the taboos and thank the tufuga ta tatau with gifts.’ Today it is different and not many people have tattoos made like this. Well I at least don’t have actually seen somebody with this kind of tattoo. Although I have seen someone receiving the Tatau. I didn’t saw it clearly though, because I stood at some distance.
Next day (Saturday, 31-jan-15) I went to the Misiluki Spa in town. I thought it would be a nice relaxing treat and good for the many mosquito bites on my legs. When I made the appointment I asked what treatment is best for me. They told me I should take the ‘Esi’ Papaya Body Wrap. So I said I take that one. It takes one and a half hour and costs $170 tala dollar. A girl my age did my treatment. She started with a coffee body scrub. It helps remove dead skin cells and other unwanted debris from your body. Then I had the papaya wrap. Papaya contains papain enzymes, which naturally soften and revitalize and heals skin when absorbed, and with the help of tea tree chamomile essential oils it works on the main areas such as insect bites and other inflamed skin. After lying for a while in the papaya wrap, I was unwrapped, removed it under a (second) cold shower and dried myself. Finally she put on strawberry soothing lotion with vitamin C. This helps sooth and replenish skin, it’s boost in hydration and helps cell renewal. I went away with my skin smelling nicely of strawberries.
On Monday, 2-febr-15 I had my first day of internship. Faleolo from Projects Abroad brought me to the hospital around 10.00h and introduced me to dr. George, my Practice Supervisor. He showed me the ward and introduced me to some other staff members. Only 1 till 2 hours I immediately got a case. They usually don’t do what the boy have, but because it was in my field they brought him to me. It is actually a real test of what you know. The rest of the day and also the week I was searching information and writing a report. From then on and now still I am getting used to things. Also I learn about the Samoan culture and about the mental health unit. I notice that I have to sit with them, ask question and observe what they are doing. This week a medical student and I got another case. Also a boy. If there will be a new case every 2 weeks, I won’t be able to Goshen Trust. I would also do my internship at this mental health service.
Somewhere on page 100 in my Lonely Planet Guidebook it says ‘Best Places to Stay: - Namu’a Island Beach Fale (p119)’ and on page 102 it says ‘Samoa Highlights: 1. Sleeping in a traditional Samoan fale such as those on Namu’a island (p119)’. Going to page 119 it says ‘Namu’a Island Beach Fale: (Map 104; phone 751 0231; Namu’a; fale incl 2 meals & return boat transfers per person ST90) Namu’a is only a short boat ride from Mutiatele, but once you’re on this tiny private island you’ll feel like Upolu is light years away (even though it’s clearly visible across the strait). Do a circumnavigation of the shoreline (low tide only), clamber up the steep central peak and snorkel the surrounding reef. Fale are open, basic and right on the beach – there’s no electricity so everything is lit by oil lamps at night. Meals are mostly local style (think fried fish and cassava for dinner, and spam and eggs for breakfast). Park your car (ST10 per day) at the shop with the Namu’a sign in Mutiatele and they’ll call the resort to come pick you up.’
Saturday and Sunday 7 and 8-febr 15 I could see the Island with my eyes and experience staying at a fale for one night. So, after being there I can tell you if the information in the book is right. So, first is the phone number. This is correct, but you can also call +685 758-8209. Secondly, I do have to set the price right. Because I paid $120 for one night, that’s incl. breakfast, dinner and boat ride. And for lunch I had to pay an extra $10. Then it is indeed a short boat ride. It only takes 5 to 10 minutes to get to the Island and it is indeed visible from the mainland. When we we’re there we, like described in the guide book, clambered up the steep central peak and snorkelled the surrounding reef. For snorkelling I used someone else’s goggles. Immediately seeing the beautiful coral and fishes, I thought I definitely should buy my own goggles. I have put pictures of Namu’a Island. The weather was not all sunshine, but still it was really nice. Like in the evening there was a sunset with nice orange and red colours. On Sunday three persons and me went up the central peak. Because it had been raining it was very slippery and muddy. But we made it to the top and had a fantastic view from the other side of the Island. We slept the night in three traditional fales. On the Island there’s is no electricity and everything was lit by solar powered lamps at night. I have slept good in the fale. Only two or three times did I wake up. Once in the middle of the night another volunteer was awake. We heard thunder and saw lightning closer than the day before. It has been thundering far away sometimes the whole weekend. So, because we thought it might rain we immediately took everything in and brought everything in safety. Of course, it didn’t rain until the next morning. In the morning we got eggs, bacon, bread, banana and kind of a pancake with a little bit of cheese on it. For lunch we had to’ona’i. To’ona’i is a big lunch on Sunday after church service. It consist of typical Samoan food, like palusami (coconut cream wrapped in taro leaves), fish in coconut cream, breadfruit and papaya. They also eat a lot of chicken here. There has been chicken in almost every meal now. We also had chicken for dinner on Saturday evening. There was also breadfruit (but differently prepared), pumpkin and a sausage.
After this lovely weekend I went back to work at the hospital. On Wednesday (11-febr-15) I finally received my parcel with my study books and dictionary. My father sent it to the office of Projects Abroad and it finally arrived after about 3 and a half weeks. Another thing worth telling from this week is that some new volunteers arrived. Last week’s social event (Wednesday, 04-02-15) was just with Faleolo, me and the new volunteer Yvonne from Germany. We then had McDonald’s (yes, there’s even one McDonald’s in whole of Samoa) and ate it at the seawall behind the old government building. This week’s social event (Thursday, 12-02-15) the group consisted of Ashley from Australia. He is going to teach children at a primary school. And there’s Anja, the journalist, from Denmark. She’s volunteering at the Samoan Observer, the national newspaper here. She immediately got on the front page. We had picnic and played cricket. Katy (UK), the country director of Samoa and Mårten (Denmark), the visiting country director from Fiji were also there. Also the day before I have seen Birgitta, the older lady from Sweden, at the office. Ruby, Carly, Sophie and Yakub are leaving one by one at the moment. The others were traveling or sick. Overall, I think we are now with 7 till 10 volunteers.
When searching in my guidebook for the correct word for Sunday lunch I came across this text ‘The ferries to and from Savai’i can get very full, especially on weekends, holidays and Friday afternoons. Arrive at least one hour early on these days and get in the queue (in your car if you’re driving or in the departure lounge if you’re on foot) or you’ll risk not getting on – the captains are (fortunately) quite strict about not overloading the boats. Crowds at busy times create a crush not unlike the front row of a Justin Bieber concert – it’s one of the only times you’ll see Samoans forget their manners and really push and shove. Boats seldom run on ‘Samoa time’. A 2pm departure means a 2pm departure.’ This is indeed quite true, as my host family (Jacinta-host mother, John-son, Ana-daughter, Alana-granddaughter, Epenesa-granddaughter & Noelani-granddaughter) and me had to rush on a Sunday morning (15-febr-15) to catch a boat after forced to have breakfast at Samoan time at the hotel (they were waiting for the boss). We had stayed at the other side of the Island for one night at the Vaisala Beach Hotel. Close by lives an sick aunt of Jacinta, whom we visited the day before. We luckily also had time for a swim on our small trip to Savaii. We did have to wake up really early (5.30h) on that Saturday to catch the boat at 8am. On the road we picked up Noelani from her parent’s house. Epenesa has been already staying with us since a couple of days. After one and a half hour with the boat we were at Savaii. From the warf it was still a long journey to our hotel. We also stopped a couple of times to buy something at a shop or to go to the toilet. On our way I saw a lot of fales. The animals I saw from the road were horses, pigs, cows, chicken and of course dogs. The one thing that struck me most was the Heineken beer at the shop where we bought some food. I was looking if there was anything to drink and suddenly my eye fell on a word I recognized. Of course I made a picture of it. For all Dutch people who are going to the other side of the world, you won’t miss our Dutch beer. Unless you don’t like it like me or rather have another brand. Arriving at our hotel, we swam in the ocean first, went to the aunt and family, had a rest and went back again. Overall it was a nice short trip. Oh and I got sunburned for the first time. I did put on sun screen (factor 50), but I must have lay in the water for too long.
To end this update, I put some Samoan words I already learned here. There are some more words, but I forgot them and not have written down yet. My Samoan vocabulary is at the moment as followed:
1. talofa - hello / welcome
2. leai - no
3. fa’afetai - thank you
4. manaia - delicious
5. timu - rain
6. tina - mother
tina - Tina
7. tama - father
tama - boy
8. ioe - yes
9. sau - come
10. aiga - family
11. matafanga - beach
I am going to end here. It has already been a long story. But of course there is so much to tell. And please, ask whatever you want to know about Samoa and/or leave comments :D. For now, it is getting used to things for me. As long as I remember that I do not live permanently in the middle of nowhere and later I would be very disappointed if have I left early. Also, I want to explore every little corner of this country. As you can see in the picture, it’s really beautiful.
Naomi
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Here is my first blog written from Samoa!! As you have read in my last blog, I will be staying in Samoa for 5 months and will be doing my internship here.
As with all journeys, my journey began at home. I left home on Thursday, the 22nd of January 2015. I said goodbye to my home and two cats Tarzan and Jane at 14.30h. I tried to hug them, but they weren’t interested. I think I hugged them too much that day. My mother first took me to my father’s office. From there my father and I would go to Amsterdam. Here I had to say goodbye to my mother and left at 15.15h for Amsterdam. At 18h with half hour of traffic jam and searching for the hotel, we arrived at the Van der Valk Hotel Schiphol A4. There we ate a lovely dinner at the hotel and had gone to bed early.
The next day (Friday, 23-jan-15) was the day I would left my beautiful country for real. Awake at 6.30h we had some breakfast and got ready to go to the airport. I arrived nicely on time at Schiphol Airport. My father dropped me off there and from there our ways departed. After this last goodbye I went inside the airport and went to the check-in. At the check-in I already noticed I have chosen a not everyday destination. The woman behind the desk didn’t understand a sentence and had to ask someone for help. Basically it said that I have date-changeable tickets, because the Visa for Samoa is valid for 60 days and when in Samoa you can extend it. So after that was clear, my luggage was weighted (22kg) and I have passed the very first check or control. After that I went to the passport control and the hand luggage control. Finally at 10.00h all passengers were able to go in the plane for flight SQ 323, destination Singapore. Fifteen minutes later than planned we taxied of at 10.45h. At 11.15h we were in the air and from this point I have left Holland. Now I should remind you that because of the long journey and getting through a lot of time zones, from now on the given time is and will be the local time. I found the plane to Singapore pretty luxurious. I was in a BOEING 777-200. A big airplane. Every seat was equipped with a pillow, blanket and headphone. I luckily had a window seat. Back at the check-in the woman had asked me what I preferred. The stewardesses of Singapore Airlines, (wearing very nice uniforms) gave each passenger a warm small towel. Also during flight they gave a menu for lunch and breakfast and a sachet with socks, toothpaste and a toothbrush. Beforehand I was afraid I would have loud noisy neighbours, but luckily I got good neighbours. On the flight to Singapore I sat next to a couple. The woman was from Portugal and the man from Argentina. They told me they worked in East Timor (lies near Bali they said). The flight went overall better than thought. Hallway I got really tired. After that I have slept every time I was in a plane.
After flying for approximately 12 and a half hour the plane landed safely at 06.05h on Saturday (24-jan-15) at Singapore Changi Airport. My ears behaved very well while descending. I did not feel too much the changing pressure while landing. When I got off the plane I went to the first toilet I could find and freshen up. I then went to the right terminal and gate and waited for the next flight. Meanwhile there are a lot of shops where you can buy things. Also you could eat something by getting a food card. When you are done, you could return it and get the remaining money back. However the best thing there was in the airport was a butterfly garden. There were beautiful big black and white butterflies, slightly smaller brown butterflies, etc. They had information signs about what the biggest butterfly and smallest is, the process of becoming a butterfly and that 5% (as I can remember) of the different kinds of butterflies lives in Singapore. Unfortunately, I couldn’t stay forever in that garden and had to catch my next flight. Again there was a hand luggage control and after that I could board again half an hour before leaving. At 9.45h, 10 minutes later than original departure time the plane (an AIRBUS INDUSTRIE A330-300) taxied of at 9.35h and went into the air. During this flight (flight SQ 245) I had again a good neighbour. She had a window seat and I was at the side of the pathway. My neighbour was a girl from Italy (at the site of the Adriatic coast). She was heading back again to Brisbane after visiting her family for 3 weeks, which she hasn’t seen in 2 years. She was also a psychologist just like me. She works with people who have dementia. We both slept the whole flight, because we were both very tired. I was afraid that the landing part would be the most nauseated thing for me, but I was wrong. Every time they came with the food trolley (especially warm food or drinks) I couldn’t stand the smell of it. One of the flight attendants noticed this and gave me a mouth cap. Haha, I felt very Asian wearing this. It did help though. I couldn’t smell the food. I took it off again when the trolley with the collected food trays left and the air was clear again. Phew what a relief. I could always sleep again after the trolley had gone and weren’t shaken during turbulence. Yes, at every single flight there was of course turbulence. Well, 3 hours before landing I got impatient. I really wanted to be in Samoa and found that I have travelled long enough. Unfortunately, I can’t make time go any faster or travel faster, so I had to be patient. On Saturday (still the same day as when I left Singapore) I arrived in Brisbane at 20.45h. Here something really funny happened. The plane had just landed and stood at the gate. Before everybody could get out, there was a voice from the speakers saying: “Will passenger Naomi Levels with a connecting flight to Apia, Samoa report to the ground floor staff” It was something like this the voice said. Of course I did not expect that they would call my name, so I did not catch the whole sentence. My next flight to Apia was to leave in 45 minutes and I thought I could make it. After realizing they were referring to me, I went to the first stewardess I saw and told her I was Naomi Levels. She told the ground staff I was coming and she made way for me from the back of the plane where my seat was, so I could get out. Out of the plane I could follow I woman and she quickly guided my through the airport. First I had to go through the hand luggage control again and then we went for the gate where the plane was waiting. I was almost the last one who checked in. I didn’t had enough time than I thought. It was a funny experience, but I also found it very considered of them. Well, at 21.30h right on time the plane (flight VA 095) leaving for Apia taxied of from the gate and got up in the air. In the plane I immediately made a friend. Because I didn’t had the chance to freshen up in Brisbane I got to go to the toilet at the back of the plane. Only it really smelled bad in there, so I only went to the toilet and get out as quickly as I could. But heading for the toilet an Australian looking surfing dude at the last row began talking to me. He must have been curious. He asked whether I am Dutch, German or Norwegian. My Dutch accent betrayed me and he guessed it right that I was from the Netherlands. Stupid Dutch accent. It sounds horrible is my opinion. It was also the first introduction day in Sweden all over again. Another Dutch person also heard that I was from the Netherlands. The Australian dude, named Robbie, said that he was a volunteer via the Australian government and that there were also other volunteers who were in the plane. Next to the few Australians on board, most people were Samoans. There were no more Europeans or Dutch people, except for me, anymore. Although I learned later that a Belgian girl, also from Projects Abroad, was on the plane. During this flight my neighbour was a friendly social Samoan woman. Again I had no window seat, but there was nothing to see outside anyway. Because the flight wasn’t full this time, there was almost one seat empty between the pathway and window seat. The rows were 3 by 3 seats. I sat in a BOEING 737-800. Right behind the Samoan lady and I, sat a family with a baby. Of course it cried several times during flight. I did get not much sleep then. I have to say that after the third flight you get used to landing, go through all those controls etc. Also at a certain point I didn’t know what time it was or where I was anymore, because of being so tired and of all those time differences (Dutch, Singhalese, Australian and Samoan).
Finally, after many hours of flying I arrived in Samoa at the Faleolo Airport on Sunday (25-jan-15) around 5 o’clock in the morning. Hurray! I made it to the other side of the world! I was really excited! Getting out of the plane I wanted to take a picture of the plane, because I did not had the chance in Brisbane. Only I couldn’t find my photo camera quickly. I thought I left it at the seat behind me, but after getting back into the plane it was not there. I then turned my backpack upside down and voila, I found my camera. Of course I put it where I didn’t usually put it. I went from the plane again, took a picture and got inside to have my Visa. After having my Visa stamp for Samoa in my passport (which made me very happy) at the immigration desk, my suitcase went through the x-ray. I honestly filled in the declaration card. I ticked yes at if I had medicine and food in my suitcase. After reading the card, the security guard only asked if I had brought fruit. I said, no I have sucker, hard caramel candy (Zeeuwse Babbelaars). Oh, I almost forgot! You could collect your suitcase, when you got your Visa. There you were welcomed by a band who played Samoan/Polynesian tunes. So, it is true! You are actually welcomed by a band when you come to the South Pacific! Know I didn’t bring anything illegal into the country, two staff members of Projects Abroad were waiting for me and for Kellie (girl from German part of Belgium). It was also the first time I experienced rain in Samoa. Although it lasted only 5 minutes and it was just drizzling. They women brought us to our host family. On the way my first impression of Samoa was: dark, clam, moist, warm, tropical (palm trees and banana plants). I finally arrived at 7.15h at the home of my host family. When I met my host mother, there was already the first cultural difference. When we were introduced to each other I give her the hand and not thinking straight with my tired head kissed her three times. Very Dutch. She already gave a little distance after one kiss. I saved myself by saying that this is the Dutch way of doing it. After shown me my room, I ate a little and went to bed. Jacinta said that I should rest and she will wake me up for lunch. At 8.15h I had gone to bed while the rest of the family had woken up, gone to church or prepared lunch. First I couldn’t get asleep. At a certain point I closed the window, put the fan on and finally fell asleep. The first impression of the house when I first came in is that I felt like I was in a French holiday house or Australian house. However, looking outside it definitely looked more tropical. Outside a dog and some chickens were walking loosely around the garden and there were also birds and crickets. At 12.10h I was woken up by Jacinta for lunch and met the rest of the family for the first time. I immediately forgot their names when I was introduced to them of course. I only could remember the name of the 3 year old granddaughter, which is Alana. The daughter’s name is Ana Theresa and the name of the son is John. Vaise is their last name. For lunch I only ate some rice and cucumber, while I was still too tired to eat and weak. I then slept and rest again from 13.00-18.00h. Because the air was so humid that day I was very thirsty, sweating and I had to go to the bathroom a lot. Jacinta was so nice to give me my own water, because my European stomach couldn’t handle water from the tap. On Sundays only the supermarket is open. In the evening I went with Jacinta’s daughter, husband and granddaughter to town to do some shopping. In the supermarket they had a lot of things we also have, like cola, meat, Kellogg’s, white beans in tomato sauce, spaghetti, etc. Going to the gas station I experienced another cultural difference. They had people who filled your tank for you. There are only a few gas stations with self-service. Then the last thing they had to do was to take measurements for Alana’s school uniform at a tailor. They all have to wear uniforms when you’re going to school. Even the universities have their own uniforms. We got back to the house. Meanwhile it was already gotten dark. For dinner I ate some toast with pineapple jam. It tastes nice. When finished my dinner, I had a shower and went to bed at 21.45h. I had slept badly because of dogs barking all night.
Somewhere this day I saw the Sunday newspaper. My eye fell on the front page and a name attracted my attention. My own name. The article said that a ferry ‘Lady Naomi’ with 100 passengers from American Samoa to Samoa was stuck for 20 hours. Good to know that my name is familiar in these surroundings. The weather forecast was also in the paper. It said: Evening district forecast for Samoa meteorology division at 3.30PM. Saturday 24-01-2015: Situation: A south westerly wind flow prevails over Samoa. Meanwhile a trough of low pressure lies to the North of the group. For Upolu: Today: Fine and cool night. Few late afternoon showers tomorrow. Tomorrow & Tuesday: Mostly fine apart from a brief showers mainly in the afternoon. Wednesday: Isolated showers.
Next morning (Monday, 26-jan-15) I was awake very early at 06.45h. I got up at 8h and had some breakfast. Faleolo, the placement director of Projects Abroad, called me and said that she would pick me up at 10.15h instead of the agreed time 9.15h for introduction in town together with Kellie. As everyone else got to work, including Jacinta, the ones who stayed home were Alana, the two elderly ladies and a cousin. I read a bit till Faleolo came and pick me up. We first went to the Office of Projects Abroad. She first explained that the Katey Woolley, the country director, was overseas and would come back next week. Faleolo also gave us some forms, t-shirt (probably too big for me), information about the placement and phone numbers of the other volunteers. Meanwhile explaining about the placement of Kellie I could get behind the computer to e-mail my parents that I have arrived safely in Samoa. When there were no more questions we went for a walk through the city. Faleolo showed us the market, post office, bus stop, etc. We also went to the Digicel telephone shop and got our Samoan Sim card with Samoan number. I also got 675 mb data for the phone and could from this moment on go on internet. That also settled Faleolo brought us back home again. I got tired of the walking and a beat weak because of the sun. I therefore went straight to bed when I got home. I didn’t need lunch, while I already ate a nice chicken sandwich that Faleolo paid for me. The rest of the day I had read a bit and slept or rested. At 19.00h I had dinner (noodles) with Jacinta. Normally they eat later, but now I wouldn’t have to eat later than I am used to. Very thoughtful, but in this hot weather I am not really hungry at 18.00h. The rest of the family had a shower and would dine later. Again I experienced rain here in Samoa. Too bad it was only a short cool shower. After dinner I called my mum and dad. I even could FaceTime with my dad. I can also WhatsApp, send a message, go on Facebook and e-mail with my mobile. Glad to have heard my parents I got to the living room with my laptop to start with my weblog. John, the son and another cousin were watching (show) wrestling and afterwards the second part of Johnny English with Rowan Atkinson. Before going to bed Faleolo called me that she had to take another volunteer to the hospital tomorrow. She had an ear infection. So instead of 10.30h, she would pick me up later to show me Goshen Trust. She would show me the hospital another time. By the time Faleolo called, it was already 23.00h. I didn’t notice it was already late. I got to bed and tried to get some sleep. The dogs were quieter tonight, but I still couldn’t fell asleep quickly because of the time difference.
Next morning on Tuesday (27-jan-15) I woke up 06.00h, as also were the chicken. I stayed in my bed and got up at 8.15h. The whole morning I was working on my weblog in the Fale while it was raining. It is a nice temperature there. Now, you must be wondering what a Fale is. Well it is a nice place next to the house where you can sit. On the picture below you can see how it looks like. The wind can come through easily, and it doesn’t feel so hot. But beware, there are a lot of mosquitos there. When I sat there, Faleolo came around 13.30h to take me to Goshen Trust. To Goshen Trust is a 3-minute walk. The CEO and Dr. George (my supervisor) weren’t there at the moment. When we arrived the consumers or patients were just having their lunch. Faleolo introduced me to them, the accountant and another staff member. She also showed me the desk that shall be mine in the main building. I will and can tell you more about Goshen Trust and the hospital when I have actually started to work. I noticed that I felt very tired during the visit and said to Faleolo that I’d rather go home and have a nap. The original plan was that she would take me to town after the visit. So, the rest of the day I spent having a nap, eating dinner (beef with rice and vegetables) and after having a nice shower went to sleep at 22.30h. By the way, they don’t have a warm shower here. It is a luxury if you can shower warm. I thought that it must be nice having a cold shower in this heat, but I didn’t realize it was that cold. So all the times after that I boiled water and put it together with the cold water to a nice temperature. Just for now I would wash myself like this. Mainly because I got a cold. When it is over I try to shower with cold water and try to get used to it. The weather was also a bit nicer. It began raining in the afternoon.
The following day (Wednesday, 28-jan-15) the rain finally stopped. Waking up and getting out of bed at 08.00h I got ready to go to town. Faleolo had showed me yesterday where I could get on the bus. Here you don’t have actual bus stops or bus schedules. You just go and stand where the bus comes by. When I just came to the ‘bus stop’, I saw the bus come by. I was too far to catch it and had to wait for the next bus. The next one (15 min later) came from town. Two people who also waited for the bus said that I could get on this one. You just sit in the bus until you are at your destination. When you are at your destination you pay 1,50 Tala dollar (50 euro cent) when leaving the bus. As well as being able to go anywhere on the bus, you also can go out of the bus anywhere. You just pull the cord, a bell will ring, and the bus driver will stop. And whatever the distance is, you always pay $1,50. The busses also look very nice. I soon will make a picture of it and you can judge for yourself what you think of the busses. Also every bus looks different. The wooden benches inside however are not very comfortable. So, when I arrived in town I went to the pharmacy and supermarket. The most important things I needed were tissues, cough syrup and nasal spray for my cold. I must have got a cold after arriving here from weakness, the airco on the plane, the first cold shower, the fan and warmth outside. Next to having a cold I also got bitten by a lot of mosquitos. So as of today I spray myself with anti-insect, put on after bite stuff when it itches, drink my cough syrup and use the nasal spray. I can also blow my nose again with nice soft tissues, instead of the hard napkins I had to use after I had used all my own tissues brought from home. Being supplied I headed back to my house and took an afternoon nap (siesta ;). Meanwhile the sun was shining again. In the Netherlands I would be happy about it, but now I’d rather have rain. I worked on my weblog again and did some puzzles between the siesta and dinner. For dinner we had eggplant, rice and stirred fried vegetables with beef. The food is not that strange or different luckily. I had a nice shower afterwards and went to bed on time at 22.15h.
Well, that was it for the long trip and first days here in Apia, Samoa. The next blog won’t be so long, because I will be working and see the country. This means I don’t have so much time anymore as I have this week. I will put a lot of pictures and films here. A picture says more than a thousand words they say. Also I probably forget to tell about many things in this blog, but I have to save that for later and not making this blog any longer than it already is.
Naomi
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[message] => En toen waren de 4,5 maand alweer voorbij. Aan de ene kant lijkt het gister dat ik op Schiphol stond, anderzijds voelt het als heeeeeeeeeeeeeeel erg lang geleden. Ondanks de fantastische tijd, gave avonturen, leuke mensen en nieuwe ervaringen ben ik helemaal klaar om naar huis te komen en iedereen weer te zien (ook op mijn eigen bed en douche en nederlandse kaas kan ik me erg verheugen). Eind van de dag stap ik in het vliegtuig in Auckland en zal ik via LA(rare weg) vrijdagmiddag in Amsterdam arriveren, jippie. Maar nu tijd om mijn laatste maand nog met jullie te delen. Mijn laatste blog eindigde in Wellington waar ik een paar dagen gespendeerd heb. Helaas nog altijd met hoofdpijn, maar toch mijn verjaardag even gevierd met een groepje van de bus, hartstikke leuk. Zaterdags de ferry op en weer naar het Zuidereiland om de Westkust te bereizen. De eerste overnachting was in Abel Tasman national Park ( een Nederlander die als eerste europeaan NZ ontdekte maar er al snel weer vandoor ging toen de Maori achter m aan ging). Een super mooi park aan de Noordkust, waar ik met een aantal de volgende dag een 8-uurse hike gemaakt hebben, dit keer redelijk vlak dus goed te doen en heel erg mooi. De volgende dag door naar Blackball een mijnersplaatsje waarbij we nog een rondleiding kregen maar verder echt helemaal niks te doen was. Maar de volgende stop maakte dat helemaal goed: Franz Josef Clacier. Een waanzinnig mooie gletsjer waar ik per helikopter op gedropt werd. Weer een first-time-experience!! Na de helikopter 3 uur lang rondgehiked in volle uitrusting! Eind van de middag nog gratis-entree(bij aankoop van glacier-pass) in de spa's dus lekker zitten badderen. De volgende dag weer een lange dag in de bus, maar gelukkig met heel veel waanzinnige stops. Onder andere bij Lake Matheson, een spiegelmeer waarin je Mount Cook en Mount Tasman gereflecteerd ziet. Later nog bij een waterval, waar de busdriver ons vertelde om 40 sec in de waterval kijken en daarna naar de berg ernaast, waarbij de gehele berg lijkt te bewegen. Aangezien we al in spacende-sferen waren, kreeg ze ons makkelijk te pakken, door te vertellen dat als we nog iets gaafs wilde meemaken, we maar op een bepaald blad moesten kauwen. Dus even later had de hele groep een blad in de mond, waarna na 5 sec iedereen begon te schreeuwen omdat je mond in vlammen leek te staan. Niet heel gaaf dus! Via Lake Wanaka naar het plaatsje Wanaka. Waar we de volgende ochtend naar Puzzleworld gingen, waar ik onder andere 2,5 uur lang door een doolhof heb rondgelopen en de uitgang echt niet meer kon vinden. Op de weg naar Queenstown me laten afzetten bij Anne van Zweeden's huis, waar ik 2 nachtjes mocht verblijven. Heerlijk om even in een echt huis te zijn en lekker te kletsen. De volgende dag ben ik naar Queenstown gelopen, om nog wat spulletjes te kopen en ticket te printen. De weg terug naar Anne's hier verliep echter wat minder soepel. I.p.v. n uur lopen, was ik toch zeker al 2 uur onderweg en kwam ik er langzaam achter dat ik ernstig de verkeerde weg had genomen. Terug had niet veel zin aangezien er niks anders was dan weg, door blijven lopen tot ik half uur later eindelijk in een dorpje kwam, waar ik gelukkig (het werd al donker)een lift heb kunnen strikken. Weer een avontuur.
Nog een avondje op de bank en de volgende dag van Queenstown naar Auckland gevlogen. Om vanaf hier de volgende dag naar Samoa te vliegen. Maar eerst even: een super tijd in Nieuw-zeeland met een ongekend mooie natuur, heel veel aardige mensen en extreme activiteiten. Wel een beetje koud af en toe, dus tijd voor de zon. Ik vroeg om warmte en die kreeg ik ook, met m'n spijkerbroek en jas het vliegtuig uit was het zweten geblazen. Vanaf het vliegveld met een busje 45 min. naar Apia ( de hoofdstad en tevens ook de enige stad). Aangekomen in het Hostel moest ik nog even pinnen, waarbij ik ineens ernstig begon te twijfelen aan mijn besluit om hier heen te komen. Het was een vakantie-dag dus alle Samoaanse jongens hingen op straat. 'Talofa baby psshh psshh' hoorde ik van alle kanten, snel doorgelopen en mijn bed opgezocht. Wat ik het meest ranzige laken aantrof wat je je ooit zou kunnen voorstellen, wat mijn eerste indruk niet veel beter maakte. De volgende dag werd alles gelukkig veel zonniger. Ik kwam er achter dat mensen vooral heel erg nieuwschierig zijn naar waar ik vandaan kom en wat ik hier doe( zijn niet zo heel veel toeristen). Wachtend op de bus naar Saleapaga had ik dus om de 5 minuten wel een praatje met n Samoaan. Het was echter nogal onduidelijk of de bus wel of niet zou komen, maar uiteindelijk ontmoette ik Stef en Mike, engels koppel van 34 en 38, waarmee ik samen een taxi nam. Super lachen koppel met vele mooie verhalen over andere plekker in samoa. 4 dagen in Saleapaga gebleven in Fau Fau Beach Fales (prive-hutje op het strand, paradijs!) Diner en ontbijt waren inclusief, dus ik heb heerlijke samoaanse maaltijden op met vooral heel veel kokosnoot. Woensdagavond Fia Fia, wat feest-avond met traditionele dansrituelen inhoudt. Super gaaf om te zien. Uiteindelijk werd ik ook de dansvloer op getrokken en had ik al snel een aanzoek van een 15-jarige samoaan te pakken. Wat ik na lang wikken en wegen toch maar heb afgeslagen. Toen 2 dagen van storm en regen, regen is hier bizar, na zo'n 0,2 seconde ben je tot op je ondergoed doorweekt. Zaterdags naar Lalomanu doorgetrokken samen met Mike en Stef. Een super mooi strand en relaxte sfeer. Hier heb ik Sam ontmoet, een amerikaanse die 2 jaar op Samoa gewerkt had en er ook nog een Samoaanse vriend aan over had gehouden: 'Tele'. Met nog 4 engelse jongens een avond drankjes zitten doen. Wat eindigde in een nachtelijke zwem met zijn allen. Verder lekker op het strand. Maandags met de Engelse jongens de bus weer in terug naar Apia. De bus is een hele ervaring, gemaakt van hout open en met heel veel kleuren en muziek uit de speakers. Stampensvol en iedereen neemt allemaal goederen mee die her en der worden afgeleverd of opgepikt. Ze doen niet echt aan busstops maar pikken gewoon random mensen op aan de kant van de weg. Dagje in Apia rondgelopen en de volgende dag door naar Savaii(het andere eiland van Samoa) Eerste nachtje bij een hele lieve familie, mensen zijn hier ontzettend aardig, onthouden altijd je naam en komen steeds vragen of alles goed gaat en of je nog iets nodig hebt. De volgende dag met een Duitste en Zwitserse jongen een auto gehuurd. Zij waren al een tijdje samen aan het reizen, dus dacht dat zit wel snor, maar nee ze kregen ruzie, donders gezellig. Maar agh toch een groot gedeelte van het eiland kunnen zien, onder andere de 'Blowholes' waarbij de oceaan golven de rotsen in drukt, waarbij lucht en water met een gigantische kracht uit gaten in de rotsen spuit. Een oud samoaans mannetje liep rond met kokosnoten, dus voor een paar Tala wat kokosnoten gekocht om die op het juiste moment in de blowholes te gooien en ze 40 meter de lucht in te zien vliegen. Moest wel zorgen dat je op tijd weer weg was voordat een golf je te pakken had. Nog 2 nachten in Beach Fale aan de Zuidkust verbleven, waar heel veel samoaanse kinderen rondliepen die m'n nagellak heel mooi vonden. Voordat ik het wist zat ik de nagels van het gehele dorp roze te lakken, waarbij ik er nog altijd niet zeker van ben of ik nou ook per ongeluk een jongetje roze heb gelakt, hij/zij keek me wel een beetje angstig aan. Zaterdags terug naar Upolo(eerste eiland) waar ik in Apia weer met Sam en Tele meette. Nathan een NZ'er die ik op Savaii had ontmoet, kwam 's avonds ook mee naar de club. Een hele ervaring zo'n Samoaanse club, dansen gaat er nogal wild aan toe en ik was erg blij dat ik de jongens bij me had. Toch onwijs naar mijn zin gehad, al eindige de avond nogal ingewikkeld. Aangezien Tele (sam's vriend) ineens Nathan (die op jongens valt) ging versieren, waar Sam uiteraard niet heel blij mee was. Nogal een bizarre situatie waar ik ineens middenin zat , met veel drama, maar najah weer een verhaal. Biseksualiteit en travestieten blijkt ook nogal vaak voor te komen in Samoa. De volgende dag terug met z'n 3'en terug naar Lalomanu beach fales (waar tele werkt) om daar m'n laatste dagen op het strand te liggen. Om vervolgens weer terug te vliegen naar Auckland. Samoa krijgt van mij een 9, ontzettend mooi, lieve mensen, een bijzondere andere cultuur en onwijs lekker eten. Nu dus in Auckland wachten op mijn vlucht naar huis. Time to go home!
Feiten en weetjes NZ:
- Elke zin word geeindigd met "Sweet-as Bro!
- Er lopen ongekend veel schapen rond, zwarte schapen, bruine schapen, witte schapen, witte schapen met zwarte poten, witte schapen met een bruin hoofd, zwarte schapen met witte oren enz. enz.
- Er lopen ook ongekend veel koeien rond
- Elke berg/meer is nog mooier dan de ander
- Het het schoonste land is wat ik ooit gezien heb, ik ben geen enkel stukje afval tegengekomen. Mensen rapen zelfs altijd het kontje van hun sigaret op.
Feiten en weetjes Samoa:
- Er ongekend veel straathonden zijn
- er maar 1 stad is, de rest dorpjes van 10 huizen
- Alles op z'n Samoaans gaat, vooral zonder haast dus
- Samoanen de gehele dag door eten en allemaal ernstig overgewicht hebben
- Vissen op de vismarkt gewoon op tafel liggen (niks koeling of ijs)
Zo dat was het wel weer, er zijn natuurlijk nog veel meer verhalen maar die zal ik gewoon vertellen. Thuis zal ik ook weer is wat meer foto's gaan uploaden, dat duurt hier elke keer uren.
Liefs Anne
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[title] => Fa'afetai Samoa!
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3 maart vlogen we om 20 uur in de avond met Air New Zealand naar Apia op het eiland Upolu, de hoofstad van Samoa..Hoofdstad betekent hier een stadje kleiner dan Schiedam..Bear Grills gaf ons veiligheidsinstructies via een super cool filmpje..Waard om te googlen trouwens..Om 1 uur in de morgen landden we in Apia..Resultaat : Rest van de nacht op het vliegveld met een musquitocoil brandende op de stoep om de nacht uit te zitten..Niet wetende trouwens dat we alle nachten vanaf dan buiten zouden doorbrengen..Alles was dicht op het vliegveld, en via de pijp van ons musquitonet wisten we een map van Samoa te ritselen door de gaten van the tourism office..Je kan dus concluderen dat we goed waren voorbereid..not..
De eerste lichtstralen van een nieuwe morgen schenen op mijn gezicht, aangenaam kan ik je zeggen wanneer je hierop wacht! Om 6 uur in de morgen ging de eerste ferry naar het eiland naast Upolu, Savaii..Eenmaal aangekomen in Savaii kwam de zon door en begonnen we te lopen..Ik nog steeds in mijn lange broek en lange mouwen..Ik had binnen no time mijn eigen prive zwembad om me heen! Ons doel was Menasi, in het noorden van Savaii..Na een stuk te hebben gelopen, concludeerden we dat Menasi te voet wat te ver was, maar wanneer je tussen de locals wandelt en de schoolgaande kinderen, kun je je pas echt plaatsen in het land..
Savaii heeft maar een weg langs de kust van het eiland, dus echt moeilijk is het niet..De local bussen overigens hebben hun eigen timetable : Witte bussen, gele bussen, groene bussen..Welke bus gaat naar Menase??? Na een politieagent te hebben aangesproken, bleek het de groene bus te zijn, die over een uur zou arriveren..Geen busstops hier, geen tijden..Het is echt letterlijk hop on and hop af..De witte bus stopte voor onze neus met zijn voorkant in de richting waar wij heen wilden..Op dat moment spring je in de bus en zie je wel waar die stopt..En ja, halverwege werden we eruit geknikkerd, en begonnen we weer te lopen totdat ergens de groene bus ons zou passeren..Na een flinke tocht kwam daar aan de horizon ons lichtpuntje : De groene bus!
Aangekomen in Menase hadden we ons tegoed gedaan aan een koud biertje en een Fale op het strand : Dit is een traditioneel Samoan open hutje om terug te komen op het buiten slapen..Heerlijk!!! Prima snorkelen hier, en na wat vinnen te hebben gespot aan het wateroppervlakte zelfs nog getracht wat haaien te spotten..tevergeefs, want met low tide ligt het koraal vrijwel aan de oppervlakte, en daar wil je je buikje niet aan schaven ;) In Samoa breken alle golven vrij ver van de kust, wat betekent dat zich daar een rif bevindt..Echt grote vissen komen dus niet achter de wavebreak..Wat een geruststelling!
De Fale’s behoren min-of meer aan een familie..Je eet dus een soort van met de familie..Terwijl je je tegoed doet aan alles wat hier gefrituurd wordt, wordt ondertussen een varkentje of twee in de achtertuin geslacht..Dan verschijnt er een jongen van een jaar of 17 met een groot mes..Het went snel hier..De verhalen die de ronde gaan zijn zo goed om naar te luisteren! Ze vertellen alles met een glimlach en zijn onwijs open..Zo hebben we in het zuiden van Upolu op 2 plekken ook in een Fale geslapen, wat in 2009 door een Tsunami was getroffen ; Wij verbleven hier als enige bij 2 families die het vol hebben meegemaakt, en de enige 2 families waren die het allemaal hadden overleefd..Soort van instinct bij het uitkiezen ervan? Toen de verhalen ter tafel kwamen, kreeg ik best kippenvel..
Ik citeer : ‘De aardbeving was rond 6.45 uur in de morgen en was vrij heftig, nog geen 10 minuten later kwam de golf..We moesten de toeristen wakker maken, en wisten toen de zee zich terug trok dat de golf zou komen’ We renden allemaal de heuvel op, en ik hield me vast aan een palmboom..We zagen later mensen voorbij drijven, die we uit het water hebben gehaald om ze te identificeren..De buren hebben hun twee kinderen van 3 en 5 nooit meer terug gezien’ *slik*Ik vroeg me af hoe deze mensen wisten wat er zou gebeuren (de golf), omdat ze zo geremote leven van de buitenwereld : ‘Mijn broer was 2 weken ervoor bij ons op bezoek en woont in New Zealand..Hij had op het nieuws een Tsunami gezien en vertelde wat er gebeurde. Zodoende keek ik naar de zee na de heftige aardschok en wist ik dat we zsm de heuvel op moesten rennen’
Ik heb die nacht slecht geslapen, wetende dat onze Fale op het strand stond..Voor het eerst voelde ik me wat gespannen en passeerden verschillende scenario’s mijn gedachten..
Ray en ik hebben hier zo geremote geleefd even samen in Samoa..Het strand voor onszelf, mooie snorkeltochtjes langs de kustlijn..Het koraal is zich nu weer langzaam aan het herstellen na de Tsunami..Het is bijzonder om dit zo weer te zien groeien..Vissen waren er genoeg, en sommige koraalbanken waren onaangetast en zo groot als een bus..Ik heb een lesje kokosnoot openen gehad hier, en dit werd onze dagelijkse snack..Het was echt even leven in paradijs..Echt paradijs, want Samoa is (nog) niet commercieel ingericht op toerisme en je hebt dus dagen dat je niemand ziet..
De cultuur is echt om over naar huis te schrijven zo bijzonder hoe deze mensen leven en worden groot gebracht :
- De palmboom wordt ook wel ‘the tree of life’ genoemd ; De wortels kun je gebruiken als medicijn, de stam om te bouwen..Let wel, de stam absorbeert water, dus een vlot is geen goed idee..De bladeren als vloer / dakbedekking, de schors van de kokosnoot is excellent om te ontvlammen, de kokosmelk om te drinken en de kokos zelf om te eten..
- De traditionele tattoo is origineel van onder de knie tot aan de buik..Je bent als Samoan vrij om dit te doen, maar als je ervoor kiest moet je het helemaal afmaken..Doe je dit niet, dan beledig je je familie..Familie is zo belangrijk in Samoa, dat sommige jongens besluiten uit het leven te stappen, omdat de tattooing zo pijnlijk schijnt te zijn en ze het dus niet mentaal en fysiek kunnen afmaken..Dit is de traditionele manier van tattooing..Wanneer je het wel helemaal afmaakt, toon je ultiem respect voor je familie..De tattoo is erg gedetailleerd en als je goed kijkt beeld het oa een speer uit, wat staat voor het vangen van vis, en dus het kunnen zorgen voor je familie..Ik vind de traditionele tattoo bij een samoan echt een vorm van art, prachtig!
- Mensen hebben hier in hun dorpen een rank. Adhv hoe je je leven leidt, voor je familie zorgt, de tattoo word je rank bepaald..Elk dorp heeft een ‘high chief’ en een ‘talking chief’. Eens per maand komen de mensen van het dorp samen in een open Fale voor een meeting. Iedereen heeft zijn eigen plek adhv zijn rank. Hier worden dingen besproken. Wanneer je bijv. Met een bier in het openbaar wordt gespot, wordt dit besproken..Dit is een taboe, ook voor de familie en zo kun je je rank voor de rest van je leven wel vergeten. Hoe hoger je rank in je leven, des te hoger je grafsteen is.
- Er wordt tegen kids nooit bijv. gezegd ‘ga weg bij het vuur’ Ze zijn vrij om te leren, en leren door te observeren. Er wordt niks uitgelegd, en als je mee wilt gaan vissen, dang a je mee en kijk je hoe je vader het doet..Je hebt dus als kind een keuze hoe je je ontwikkeld en zorg kan dragen voor je familie, en dus je rank in life..
Al met al is Samoa een wereld apart en een parel in the south pacific. Ik heb een andere kant van leven hier gezien, en hoe mensen in hun dorp / families voor elkaar zorgen met alle respect. Een hele mooie en vooral positieve ervaring!
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[title] => Mijn laatste week in Samoa
[message] => Hallooo allemaal,
Vandaag waarschijnlijk de laatste update over mijn verblijf in Samoa, want aankomende zondag zit ik alweer in het vliegtuig naar Hawaï! De tijd gaat nu ineens zo snel! Dat betekent ook dat mijn laatste week bij Fiamalamalama is aangebroken. Aan de ene kant wil ik graag weer naar huis, maar aan de andere kant ga ik de kinderen en de medewerkers heel erg missen. Ik ben daar toch vijf dagen per week, zeven weken lang aan het werk geweest. Ondertussen voel ik mij dan ook helemaal thuis op deze school en ik denk dat ik het vrijdag heel moeilijk ga krijgen met het afscheid nemen. De kinderen zijn aan mij gewend geraakt en ik heb het heel gezellig met de leraressen. De kleine kinderen zoeken veel contact met mij en een aantal van hen willen dan ook maar al te graag knuffelen. Maar ook de oudere kinderen die in het begin eigenlijk geen contact met mij zochten, stellen zich nu meer open naar mij toe. Ze durven eindelijk dingen te vragen en zijn enthousiast tijdens activiteiten waar ik aan meedoe. Een aantal kinderen zijn zo behulpzaam, dat ik er soms gewoon ongemakkelijk van word. Zo was er vorige week een jongen die mijn spullen wilde dragen en mijn tas ging helpen inpakken. Het is hier voor de oudere kinderen heel normaal om zo zorgzaam te zijn, aangezien zij ook voor de jongere kinderen op school zorgen en thuis ook voor jongere broertjes/ zusjes.
Soms blijven dingen mij hier verbazen. De afgelopen tijd heb ik een aantal keer rode limonade meegenomen in plaats van water. Jullie willen niet weten hoeveel vragen ik daarover krijg! "What is that?!" vroegen veel kinderen. En niet alleen de kinderen, maar ook de leraressen! Je zou denken dat het heel normaal is.. Ik vertelde dan keer op keer dat het gewoon water is met een smaakje, waardoor het water bijvoorbeeld rood wordt! Maar hier is dat blijkbaar heel gek.
De afgelopen twee weken heb ik samen met de kinderen tijdens de één op één sessies hard geoefend met het spelen van cricket en voetbal voor het tournement van de Special Olympics. Daarnaast was mij gevraagd om de voeten van alle kinderen te checken. De dagen voor het tournement ben ik hier dan ook druk mee bezig geweest. Zo heb ik alle voeten opgemeten en heb ik de voeten gecontroleerd op verwondingen etc. Soms schrok ik écht van de voeten die ik zag. Zoveel eelt, kloven, wondjes en beschadigde nagels.. Ook al bij de jonge kinderen! De wegen zijn hier slecht en overal liggen stenen, rotsen en troep. Dan moet je je dus bedenken dat hier veel kinderen op blote voeten lopen! Gelukkig dragen ook een groot deel van de kinderen slippers, maar schoenen hebben ze maar zelden aan. Dus ik begrijp ook best goed hoe die voeten er zó uit komen te zien.
Het tournement zou 19 mei plaatsvinden, maar werd vanwege de vele regenval uitgesteld naar de week erna, omdat het gras niet veilig genoeg was om op te spelen. Het tournement ging 24 mei, ondanks dat er ook deze nacht weer heel veel regen was gevallen, gelukkig wel door. Helaas werd er uiteindelijk alleen cricket gespeeld en konden alleen de oudere kinderen hieraan meedoen. De kinderen hebben onwijs goed hun best gedaan en hebben het enorm naar hun zin gehad. En daarbij werd het uiteindelijk toch nog heel mooi weer.
Daarnaast was deze dag voor mij een extra bijzondere dag, omdat mijn vader 50 jaar was geworden. Het grote tijdsverschil van 11 uur blijft dan toch een beetje gek. Op het moment dat ik wakker werd, was m'n vader in Nederland nog niet jarig. Om 11.00 Samoaanse tijd kon ik hem pas écht feliciteren. Gelukkig hebben we 's avonds nog wel even kunnen videobellen. Ook heb ik mijn moeder de volgende ochtend even kunnen zien. Dit was heel fijn na zes weken!
Ondanks dat het regenseizoen hier in Samoa al voorbij is, heeft het de afgelopen weken enorm veel geregend en heb ik helaas niet veel zon gezien. Soms waren er zelfs kleine overstromingen voor de klaslokalen. Gelukkig is het weer nu een stuk beter!
Het weekend van moederdag had ik een lang weekend. Maandag was een officiële vrije dag, omdat zondag moederdag was (bij elke scheet die je hier laat ben je al vrij.. Te gek voor woorden eigenlijk!) Moederdag wordt hier wel veel uitgebreider gevierd dan in Nederland. De dagen voor moederdag was dit al te merken in de supermarkten. De dochter van onze gastmoeder kwam dat weekend met twee hele grote pakketten met eten aan. Eén voor haar moeder en de andere voor haar schoonmoeder. Op moederdag zelf ben ik voor het eerst met de familie meegegaan naar de kerk. Het was een lange zit en ik verstond er niets van, maar het was een mooie ervaring! Vooral het moment dat de snoepkransen werden uitgedeeld. Alle moeders kregen snoepkransen om hun nek, waarna sommige moeders helemaal vol hingen.
De afgelopen weekenden ben ik naar een aantal mooie stranden geweest met een paar andere vrijwilligers. Zo zijn we naar Lalomanu beach en Return to Paradise geweest. Zeker Return to Paradise was, zoals de naam al zegt, écht een paradijsje! Een wit strand, heldere blauwe zee en palmbomen.. Wat wil je dan nog meer?! Voor de mensen die de film 'Return to paradise' kennen.. Deze film is hier écht opgenomen!
Naast de school waar ik werk, ben ik vorige week ook begonnen bij de 'Home for the elderly'. Helaas is daar op dit moment geen fysiotherapeut aanwezig, waardoor ze alle hulp goed kunnen gebruiken, ook al zijn het maar een paar uurtjes die ik daar werk. Onder begeleiding van twee nonnen help ik waar nodig is.
Vorige week heb ik een heel gezellig etentje gehad bij een 65-jarige Japanse vrijwilliger van de school waar ik werk. Samen met nog zes andere Japanners heb ik heerlijk gegeten en heb ik geleerd hoe ik Soba (Japanse noedels) met stokjes moet opslurpen!
Afgelopen weekend ben ik samen met mijn reisgenoot Simone naar Savai'i geweest. Dit is een ander eiland van West-Samoa (wij verblijven op Upolu). Vanwege Independence day hadden we een lang weekend en konden we dus vier dagen naar Savai'i toe. We zijn het hele eiland rond geweest en hebben op drie verschillende plekken geslapen. Het meest bijzondere vond ik toch echt het moment van wakker worden.. Je stapt je fale uit en je bent gelijk op een wit strand! Van dit soort momenten geniet ik dan ook extra.
Voor ik het weet ben ik weer thuis en begint het normale leven weer. Ik laat jullie weten wanneer ik veilig op Hawaï ben aangekomen.
Groetjes vanuit de andere kant van de wereld!!
Liefs, Shanice
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[title] => Alweer 3 weken in Samoa
[message] => Talofa allemaal!
Ik ben nu alweer drie weken in Samoa! Morgen begint mijn derde week op de school Aoga Fiamalamalama, waar ik werk als fysiotherapeut. Vanaf mijn gastgezin is het zo’n 5 minuten met de taxi, dus gelukkig hoef ik niet ver te reizen. De eerste week was vooral observeren. Belangrijk was om het personeel en de kinderen goed te leren kennen en te wennen aan de dagelijkse routine op de school. De school start om 08.30 en om 13.00 gaan de kinderen met de schoolbus naar huis. Dit is een korte dag, maar met deze warmte is dat lang genoeg. Zeker als je continue actief bezig bent.
'S ochtends starten de kinderen met zingen en bidden. Vervolgens doen we met z'n allen ochtendgymnastiek en dansen we op muziek. Daarna gaan alle kinderen naar hun eigen klas toe en beginnen de lessen. Voor mij beginnen dan de één op één sessies met de kinderen. Dit doe ik samen met een Samoaanse dove man die fysiotherapeut/ergotherapeut is (ik denk dat er in Samoa geen onderscheid wordt gemaakt tussen deze twee beroepen). In totaal zitten er 36 kinderen op de school. Daarvan heb ik tot nu toe 10 kinderen gezien die therapie krijgen. Per dag behandelen we ongeveer 5-7 kinderen, waarvan ik standaard een aantal kinderen elke dag terugzie (als ze aanwezig zijn). Als er een kind afwezig is, wordt er met een ander kind die tijd heeft gewerkt. Maar lang niet alle kinderen krijgen dus therapie (niet alle kinderen hebben daar dan ook een indicatie voor). Met ieder kind wordt er ongeveer een kwartier gewerkt. De kinderen zijn vooral mentaal beperkt. Zo werk ik met kinderen met het syndroom van Down, autisme en ADHD.
Om 09.30 is 'morning tea'. Alle kinderen eten dan iets wat ze van huis hebben meegekregen. Je ziet veel ongezond voedsel, zoals: hotdogs, chips en donuts. Maar sommige kinderen krijgen ook gewoon een heel groot stuk wit droog brood mee. Ik weet niet of dit hun ontbijt is of gewoon een 'tussendoortje', maar ik heb het vermoeden dat het hun ontbijt is. Ik moet er zelf niet aan denken om 's ochtends aan een hotdog te zitten.
Na de 'morning tea' ga ik weer verder met de één op één sessies. Om 12.00 is het dan lunchtijd. De school zorgt iedere middag voor een 'gezonde' lunch, dat meestal bestaat uit soep met stukken kip (inclusief bot en vet), gekookte bananen, pompoen en wat andere groenten. Na de lunch gaan de oudste kinderen (meerendeels de jongens) alles opruimen en schoonmaken. De jongste kinderen zingen nog wat liedjes, waarbij er soms gedanst wordt. Tot slot wordt er nog gebeden. Om 13.00 staat de schoolbus klaar en worden we allemaal thuisgebracht. Ik word dan afgezet bij de office van Projects Abroad, waar ik eventueel wat voor- of nabereiding kan doen. Ook zit je daar gewoon even lekker in de airco.
Elke woensdag is het sportdag op de school. De kinderen zijn dan de hele ochtend bezig met sport. Als lunch krijgen we dan 'koko rice' (cacaosoep met rijst). Ook worden de kinderen voorbereid op het tournement van de Special Olympics op 19 mei. Zo waren er deze week twee mannen die cricket kwamen uitleggen en een Japanse ergotherapeute (ook een vrijwilliger). Zij is hier voor twee jaar en vroeg mij om haar te helpen bij het tournement. Dus dat wordt een super leuke uitdaging!
Afgelopen vrijdag hebben we op de school een brandoefening gehad. Wat mij toch wel verbaasde, omdat het allemaal heel open is. Ik moest er ook eigenlijk een beetje om lachen! Iemand loopt rond met een bel, waar je met de hand een alarm mee laat afgaan. Alle kinderen moeten dan zo snel mogelijk naar een afgesproken plek rennen. Je zou denken dat een brandoefening wordt gedaan om een beetje structuur te brengen in de eventuele chaos die er is, maar het was alles behalve gestructureerd! De meeste kinderen kwamen gewoon als een gek aanrennen op de afgesproken plek.
In de weekenden zijn we vrij en kun je dus je eigen gang gaan. Zo zijn we het eerste weekend met een aantal vrijwilligers naar de Fuipisia waterfall en naar de To-Sua Ocean Trench geweest. Bovenop de 55 meter hoge waterval hadden we echt een prachtig uitzicht! Even vond ik het heel onwerkelijk dat IK daar gewoon stond. Verder zijn we de afgelopen twee weekenden met een aantal vrijwilligers naar een heel mooi resort gegaan. Naast een groot zwembad is daar ook een privé strandje. Vandaag ben ik daar een rondje wezen kayakken. Ik kan nu ook eindelijk zeggen dat ik een klein beetje ben verkleurd (aangezien ik doordeweeks in een lange broek loop en mijn schouders bedekt moeten zijn op de school).
Elke woensdag hebben we met de andere vrijwilligers een Social. Deze week hebben we op de office de film Moana gekeken.
Zo, nu zijn jullie weer een beetje op de hoogte van wat er hier in Samoa allemaal gebeurd.
Tot de volgende blog!
Liefs Shanice
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[title] => Samoa dag 3
[message] => 19/04/2017
Hallo allemaal!
Mijn project begint pas volgende week maandag en daarom ga ik de komende 3 dagen naar een school waar kinderen in hun vakantie kunnen verblijven. Vandaag was mijn eerste dag, dus erg spannend!
Ik was samen met 3 andere vrijwilligers (Nederlands, Japans en Australisch) en 2 coördinatoren van Projects Abroad die ons op gang hielpen. Er waren vandaag zo'n 25 à 30 kinderen van rond de 12 jaar.
Elke ochtend beginnen ze met bidden en zingen ze een lied. Na het ochtendritueel hebben wij onszelf in onze eigen taal voorgesteld, waarna we dit vertaalden in het Engels. Daarna hebben we een soort warming-up gedaan met wat ademhaling- en stretch oefeningen.
We begonnen de dag met een Engelse les. De Engelse taal is hier van groot belang, omdat veel Samoaanse kinderen geen/beperkt Engels spreken en schrijven. Na deze les zijn we gaan frisbeeën en hebben we teams gemaakt voor het volleyballen. Het viel me op dat veel kinderen heel goed waren in volleybal! Ik moest zelf even inkomen, maar uiteindelijk moedigden de kinderen mij aan om te serveren (dat ging namelijk wel goed haha).
Rond half 12 gingen we lunchen. Tijdens de lunch heb ik een meisje wat Nederlandse woorden geleerd en zij leerde mij wat Samoaanse woorden. Ze moest heel hard lachen om de Nederlandse woorden en mijn uitspraak in het Samoaans.
Na de pauze hebben we een spelletje gedaan met namen. Ik werd 2e en iedereen was super enthousiast! Ten slotte moesten de kinderen 15 minuten een boekje lezen, waarna ze een aantal zinnen uit het boekje moesten overnemen. Op deze manier oefenden ze met het schrijven. Ik liep rond en hielp waar nodig was. Nadat alle kinderen een stuk geschreven hadden, moest iedereen het voor de groep voorlezen. Dan merk je pas hoeveel kinderen het Engels moeilijk vinden en het eng vinden om voor een groep te staan. Het belangrijkste was dat iedereen het probeerde en dat de kinderen op deze manier meer zelfvertrouwen krijgen, omdat ze dat niet leren tijdens de lessen op school.
Toen ik vanmorgen te horen kreeg dat we o.a. Engelse les moesten gaan geven, vond ik het heel spannend! Uiteindelijk viel het reuze mee en was het een onwijs leuke, energieke dag. Het is super leuk om te zien hoe snel je wordt opgenomen in zo'n groep en hoeveel respect de kinderen voor je hebben. Één meisje bedankte me aan het einde van de dag voor mijn hulp en een ander meisje vroeg of ik morgen weer zou komen. Hieraan merk je dat ze het echt naar hun zin hebben gehad en je hulp waarderen. Ze zijn dan ook oprecht geïnteresseerd in mijn taal, naar mijn familie en waar ik verblijf.
Tot slot moesten we met de vrijwilligers de volgende dag gaan voorbereiden. Morgen krijgen ze rekenles en gaan we een stukje kunstzinnige vorming doen!
Liefs Shanice
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[message] => [Hallo allemaal! Ik loop een beetje achter met mijn blogs, maar toch wil ik dat jullie de eerste week mee kunnen lezen vanwege de vele indrukken die ik hier heb opgedaan. Daarom zal ik meerdere blogs achter elkaar posten.]
18/04/2017
Malo!
Vandaag hebben we als nieuwe vrijwilligers onze introductie gehad. We zijn naar Samoa cultural village in de stad gegaan, waar we traditionele demonstraties te zien kregen.
We hebben als eerste geleerd om met een aantal palmbladeren ons eigen bordje te vlechten, waar we aan het einde van de dag traditioneel eten op geserveerd kregen. Het vlechten was een stuk moeilijker dan ik had verwacht! Na wat uitleg over de Samoaanse cultuur werd ons laten zien hoe het traditionele eten 'taro' hier wordt gemaakt. Daarna kregen we te zien hoe een man op de traditionele manier werd getatoeëerd. Heel bizar om dit proces van zo dichtbij mee te mogen maken, omdat het er heel heftig uitziet. Het is niet alleen heel pijnlijk voor de man, maar ook heel oncomfortabel en super warm vanwege de hoge temperaturen hier. Het tatoeëren is in Samoa een heel proces. Als Samoaan kun je dit proces dan ook niet zomaar afbreken, want je wordt dan beschouwd als dé lafaard van de familie. Na het tatoeëren kregen we stap voor stap te zien hoe een vrouw 'siapo' en 'tapa' maakte (dit is een soort kunstwerk, maar kan ook gebruikt worden als traditionele kledij).
De dag in cultural village eindigde met een traditionele dans van zowel de mannen als van de vrouwen. Als ik dit zou moeten omschrijven, zou ik zeggen: vrolijk, energiek en intens! Vooral de dans van de mannen!
Na deze indrukwekkende culturele ervaring zijn we door de stad gaan lopen en kregen we de belangrijkste hotspots te zien.
Tot de volgende blog!
Liefs Shanice
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Talofa lava! Hallo allemaal!
Na een reis van 31 uur ben ik vandaag samen met mijn reisgenootje om 5.15 lokale tijd aangekomen in het verre Samoa. Buiten de luchthaven stond een vrouw ons op te wachten die ons meenam in een taxi naar ons gastgezin. De rit zou ongeveer 50 minuten gaan duren. Tijdens de taxirit keek ik mijn ogen uit! Ik besefde nog niet zo goed dat ik gewoon aan de andere kant van de wereld zit. Enerzijds prachtige natuur, anderzijds veel armoede in het gebied waar we doorheen reden. Armoedige huisjes en mensen die gewoon buiten sliepen. Opvallend was wel dat iedereen rond 6.30 lokale tijd al wakker was en buiten op straat zat. Naarmate we meer naar de stad reden, zag je minder armoede. Ze rijden hier aan de linkerkant van de weg, dus dat was even wennen!
Eenmaal aangekomen bij het huis, bleek er niemand thuis te zijn. Onze gastmoeder zat nog op een ander eiland i.v.m. paasweekend. Daarom werden we naar Rita's lodge gebracht. Daar konden we even bijkomen van onze reis, konden we wat eten en kregen we een kamer waar we even konden slapen.
Begin van de middag gingen we met één van onze coördinators naar de stad om wat formele zaken op de office door te nemen. Er werd ons gelijk duidelijk gemaakt dat we in Samoa zijn en dat we hier moeten relaxen. Geen gehaast en te laat komen is hier normaal! Het is hier dan ook veel te warm om je druk te maken (zo rond de 34 graden).
Daarna zijn we gaan lunchen. Ook hier wordt Pasen gevierd, dus alles was gesloten, behalve de MC Donalds haha! We hebben onze hamburger wel met een heel mooi uitzicht aan zee met palmbomen gegeten. Daarna zijn we even gaan zwemmen bij een strandje om wat af te koelen.
Om 17.30 gingen we naar ons gastgezin voor onze eerste ontmoeting. We kregen een heel hartelijk welkom van onze gastmoeder en werden naar onze kamer gebracht (een apart huisje in de tuin). We slapen daar met z'n drieën (mijn reisgenootje, een Belgisch meisje en ik). Daarna kregen we een rondleiding door het huis van onze gastmoeder.
's Avonds hebben we met het hele gezin gezamenlijk gegeten. Hier in Samoa leeft de hele familie gezamenlijk in één huis om voor elkaar te kunnen zorgen en heerst er een hiërarchie. Zo eten normaal eerst de ouderen en daarna pas de kinderen. Na het eten zijn we naar ons huisje gegaan en rond 23.00 zijn we gaan slapen.
Liefs Shanice
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[message] => Na behoorlijk wat vliegen ben ik in Apia aangekomen op Samoa. De chauffeur had heel veel te vertellen onderweg, was niet af te stoppen, maar was gelukkig wel amusant. Na een heet nachtje, ondanks de airco, ben ik op zoek gegaan naar vervoer. Het is hier warm en vochtig en dan is een eigen auto wel zo prettig.
Is gelukt. Beetje louche tent en een gare auto. Het enige dat werkt is de airconditioning...
Het eiland is erg mooi! Prachtige baaien en helder water. Doe er een foto bij van het uitzicht 's morgens vroeg vanuit mijn slaapkamer. Eigenlijk een soort houten podiumpje aan het strand. Gelukkig wel met matras en klamboe!
Ik hou het kort want wifi is hier onbetaalbaar!
Morgen met de pont naar het buureiland Savai'i. Dat is groter en nog verlatener...
PS: ik zit niet op American Samoa, zoals de kaart het volgens mij aangeeft, maar ten westen daarvan.
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[title] => A Dutch girl in Samoa: CH 7 ‘Count down’
[message] => Hello Everybody,
Already nearly a month has been passed since my last update, so time for a new one. I haven’t done anything much special lately, so that’s why I didn’t had anything to report so soon.
Also this week is my last week at my internship placements and I have/want some things to do before I go to Fiji on holiday next week. Now I am busy and don’t have time to write my weblog. I can’t go too far into details in this update, but I will write more in my next update. This one will be the last one and I will be home again! I can’t believe it is almost finished. Let the count down begin.
Sunday, the 31st of May 2015 at 06.18am Annick and I were both awakened by an earthquake. Now don’t be alarmed, while it was just a medium earthquake. The earthquake measured a 5,8 on the scale of Richter. Quite the same as last time. The bed and walls were moving. An earthquake feels like one wrinkle in the water when a drop just have fallen into it. You feel the earth coming, getting stronger and then going again. First your bed begins to shake a little bit, then it begins to shake a bit harder, followed by shaking of the walls, this continues for approximately 10 seconds and finally the shaking stops gradually. For Annick this was her first earthquake she ever felt. For me it was the fifth and the fourth in Samoa. Still when it happened I was on my guard and ready to go under the desk or go outside. And on Tuesday, the 9th of June at 4 o’clock in the early morning there was another earthquake. This time it had a magnitude of 5,3 on the scale of Richter. Also with this one the walls shook a bit. It is probably the time for earthquakes or something, because there was another one on Friday, the 12th of June at 00.07 in the middle of the night. This one had a magnitude of 6. However you also need to put the depth and centre in account
I have been on the Samoan television a couple of times. The first time I was one of the audience at the male model show. The second time was during Eastern mass. Another time was at the closing ceremony of a workshop and then I was on television during Independence Day. Before I go further on independence day, here a short Samoan history lesson. Samoa was once occupied by Germany around the first World War and then by New Zealand. Samoa gained its independence on the 1st of January 1962 and the first of the Pacific Islands. It is now celebrated at the 1st of June. That day I to get up very early. That is five in the morning. There was a speech and then marching from 6 till around 8 o’clock. There were all kind of schools and organisations etc. gathered on the field next to the court house. I was with the Loto Taumafai School in the red puletasi uniform. After some speeches and hoisting the Samoan flag we started to march. Because we had some disabled people, we were the first people who marched (or rather walked) through the VIP tent, passing the prime minister and head of state and its wife. I still don’t know if it’s one person or that the prime minister and head of state are two persons. Because I don’t know the face I was not who is who. So but yeah that was the marching. For me marching means walking some distance, but that was not the case. It was just walking past the high chiefs of the country and that’s it. The reason it takes so long, is because there are so many schools and organisations. I was very glad we were the first ones, because it started to pouring rain right after we’ve been through the VIP tent. All the staff and students quickly went into the vans and cars that stood next to the field. Everyone got some breakfast (hotdog) and the children were being brought home immediately. It was too bad that it rained that morning. While in the afternoon the sun began to show itself. After the marching someone took me home and I went straight to bed. After 2 hours of sleep I went back to the court house again. There was dancing and singing from several villages. It was nice to watch it. This also took about 2 hours and in the end I got back home again. My host family just stayed home and watched everything on television. They of course have experienced it many times before now. However for me it’s special and I wanted to be there and experience it. The other volunteers were here and there that day.
As I said before, I didn’t do anything spectacular last few weeks. The Saturdays (on Sunday everything is closed) were always rainy. So Annick and I just been to Palolo Deep Marine Reserve twice. This beach is the closest to Apia and it has such nice coral and many fish. There are some small black fish who stare at you and even bite sometimes. It luckily doesn’t hurt that much. The other time I went there was also with Louise and Kristine. We only talked then. That day was a Saturday, two days before Independence Day. That Saturday was also cloudy, but no rain. In the afternoon was a Fautasi race. A fautasi is a cano with around 45 persons in it. The race took 2 hours out in the sea and the last few minutes was at Apia itself. They finished at the wharf. It was good to something cultural.
Saturday and Sunday 6 and 7th of June me and some other volunteers went to Namu’a island. That weekend was absolutely perfect. We saw turtles from the small motorboat that took us to the Island, the weather was great (got more tanned) and we were with a nice group. I walked around the Island during low tide, climbed the hill and snorkelled.
The weekend after that I and some (other) volunteers went to Lalomanu. I didn’t really like this weekend. The fiafia show on Saturday evening was nice though. Afterwards few got drunk, weather wasn’t that nice, couldn’t do very much and I felt tired. Not really a nice last whole weekend in Samoa unfortunately.
Talking about rainy weather. Again it rained on a Saturday, when everything is open. Why oh why? It supposed to be ‘dry’ season. However, it is a bit colder. Especially during the evenings. I sometimes even have to wear a vest. It is also a bit less humid.
At school everything goes well. I did my two workshops, which was a success. I did some observation in class and give some tips to the teachers.
The current volunteers at this moment are Annick from Luxembourg, Florian from France, Tobias from Holland, Kristine from Norway, Helen and Sophie (mother and 7-year-old daughter) from New Zealand, Jessica and Claire from Australia and Olivia from America. The group is getting slowly bigger now, with more people coming in July.
Do not forget to check my Facebook page ‘Psychologist Projects Abroad Samoa’ (http://facebook.com/psychologistsamoa) for photos and videos.
Lots of love from Samoa!
Naomi
For the non-Dutch readers: if you want to read my previous updates. I have translated the Dutch words on this site to English in my first update. You will find it on the left side of this update at ‘reisverslagen’ [= travel blogs] (below the photo of the beach). Next click on ‘new adventure awaits’, (name of my first update). Or you can click on ‘vorige bericht’ [= previous blog] below this update until you get to the first update.
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This month is the fourth month and entering the 16th week I am here. I arrived the end of January and will leave at the 2nd of July. So counting down from now it is about seven and a half week until my adventure ends and I go back home! Also I can take the last one and a half week off. This means my time at the school and hospital will be 6 weeks. My journey back home begins when I leave Apia Faleolo Airport on Thursday, 2nd of July at 06.15h. I will fly via Sydney and Singapore to Amsterdam Schiphol Airport. On Friday, 3rd of July at 07.15h I will be on Dutch grounds again.
So now that everyone knows when I will be back, let’s focus on the present again. Annick and I went to a see a Baha’i temple at the 25th of April. There are only eight Baha’i Houses of Worship in the world. One of these Baha’i temples is here in Samoa. In Tiapapata. The others are in Chicago (USA), Panama city (Panama), Santiago (Chili), Kampala (Uganda), New Delhi (India), Sydney (Australia), Frankfurt (Germany). I have never heard of the Baha’i religion, but now I know that it is established 1863 AD. originating from Persia. They believe in God and have nine principles. I found the temple itself not that beautiful, but the gardens surrounding the temple were very peaceful.
Next day we celebrated the birthday of Alana at the beach. There were many people, because there were also other family members and friends whose grandmother just passed away. Annick did not come. We drove about an hour before we reached the beach on the south side of the Island. Before Alana and the rest came with other cars, we decorated a fale and prepared lunch. Jacinta hired some fales for that day. We had a swim, lunch and blew out some candles. The weather that day was not that great unfortunately. It rained the last 2 hours when we were there. At that time I were in the warm ocean waters. I don’t experience this often, to be able to swim in the rain. The weather has still been the same ever since I got here. Humid, warm, sunny, cloudy or rain. The month May supposed to be the month where the dry season starts. It should be more agreeable, but I haven’t noticed any changes yet. Luckily, the temperature drops at night and up in the mountains is usually cooler. Also when it is raining, it is less hot.
The weekend from Friday, the 1st of May till Sunday, 3rd of May most of the volunteers and I went to Savai’i. This would be my third time that I go to this amazing Island. On Friday afternoon we got the two cars we hired for the weekend. We all arrived on time to catch the 16 o’clock ferry. The ferry took us in one hour to Savai’i. From the wharf it was around 30 till 45 minutes till we arrived at Janes Beach Fales. I drove the whole way, from Apia to the fales. I already have driven on the left side of the road in the UK and Ireland, but I have never driven with the steering wheel on the right side. Also the car was an automatic. Luckily, there is not much traffic outside Apia and not many roads. I brought all the people who were in my car safe to Savai’i. The other two days another volunteer drove the car. Because it was already dark when we arrived, we did nothing on Friday. We did a lot on Saturday however. The persons in each car went its own way. After breakfast we first went to visit the Saleaula lava field. The field was formed by the 1905-1911 eruption of Mount Matavanu. It covers around 76 square kilometres of northern and north eastern Savai’i and was one of the biggest eruptions of the 20th century. You can see a church at the site where the lave went. After walking around on the lave we got back on the road and drove to the next sighting. Less than 15 minutes away is the Peapea Cave. Also here you have to pay to visit, like anywhere else in Samoa. Peapea is a kind of black bird that lives here. We saw a few of them at the cave flying around. You could walk a little bit into the cave. A Samoan guided us and gave us some flashlights, while it was pitch black in there. When we got out of the cave again we drove to the rainforest on the north western side of the Island. There we did the canopy walk. You go high up the stairs and walk up a wooden hanging bridge many meters above the ground. For some it was fun, but for the most of us it was a bit scary. After the bridge you can go up higher via stairs that goes round a huge tree. From there you have a nice view of the forest. Next stop was Lovers Leap. This is just a nice view of some cliffs and you pay for the story that goes with it. On an information board was written: “A legend but a true story about an old blind woman and her daughter staying together with their family many years ago. The old lady’s anger after ignoring by their family at meal time to leave they came to the top of the mako with nothing else in mind but to jump down. The old woman picked up her daughter settled her tightly on her back before they jumped into the sea. On hitting the sea water the old woman suddenly changed into a turtle and her daughter into a shark. Ever since a turtle and a shark are often sighted as regular visitor appearing together in this very spot. Lovers Leap actually means the great love of an old blind woman to her daughter as they jumped down together.” We saw no turtle or shark, but we did see some more peapea birds. We took some pictures and got in the car again. Some volunteers hadn’t have seen the Blowholes yet, so we went there. Because I already have seen the blowholes, I did not take so many pictures as I did the first time. The experience wasn’t any less coming there for the second time. We wanted to go to some waterfalls and swim there, but it was raining unfortunately. We then decided to go to our next accommodation, which was at the family of one of the volunteers Samoan boyfriend. But before we arrived at the house we stopped at a black sand beach along the road to take some pictures. That was the last thing we did or saw that day. At the house we had a swim, shower, dinner and later on went to bed. Next day was a Sunday, so that means swimming, snorkelling, taking some more pictures and catch the ferry back to Apia.
While in Savai’i I learned from my father that I was in Saturday’s newspaper column. The PZC, local newspaper. The article is called ‘avonturier’ (adventurer). The first part of the column was about a Dutch girl in Nepal during the earthquake and then the article switch to me being in Samoa. My name isn’t mentioned, but I have been referred to in the article. A friend of my father writes columns and heard about me being on the other side of the world. I laughed when I read it. It was about being so far away and that there can be cyclones.
The 10th of May was also Mother’s day in Samoa. Mother’s day in Samoa means a special church service and a day off on Monday. I stayed at home that long weekend to experience Mother’s day with my host family and to take it easy. The mass dedicated to mothers on Sunday was almost the same as any other mass, except for a few things. The first was that the preacher talked about mothers. The second was that at the end of the mass, the mothers got an Ula (garland) made out of candy. The Samoans give or wear an Ula (made from flowers or candy) on special occasions. After the mass we went back home. The rest of the day they (family and friends) had a party (drinking, talking and music) in the fale. It felt almost the same as during Eastern. I am surprised about the amount of alcohol they are able to bear without having much food in their stomach. During the afternoon they only have some chips and salty bites. But it is also on other days and with other Samoans that are able to function without having any lunch. I am still surprised about this fact. I might be skinny, small or tiny (or whatever you may call it ;)), but my stomach is really protesting if I don’t eat something in the afternoon.
Now let’s see what else I can tell about Samoa. Ah yes, clothes. For example some women wear a Puletasi for work. It is hard to describe what Puletasi is. Well, I don’t really have to describe it, if I can show it. Because I have a Puletasi myself and will put the picture of it on my Facebook page. The Puletasi consist of two pieces. You have the kind of skirt/sarong called the Lavalava and a long kind of shirt for the upper body part. Furthermore, what I like about here is that the women (and even some men) and Fa’afafine put flowers in their hair. It is as we all know something typical Polynesian. I also like that is something typical in everyday life here. They use plastic as well as real flowers. I personally like the Aute flower (a red hibiscus flower). You see those flowers everywhere here. The girls here have furthermore such nice long black hair (also the typical Polynesian image we have) usually in a bun or braided. I furthermore noticed that there skin is very smooth. Not many have pimples or zits or whatever. It must be the warm humid air here, because even my own skin is better here than in the Netherlands. Back to the clothing, I almost forget about the shoes or rather the flip-flops. Almost everybody wears flip-flops everywhere and anywhere. You only wear shoes if you go exercising or if you require it for safety at work. The feet of the Samoans must be made of hard skin, because I see some Samoans just walk barefoot. I have seen children just walking barefooted on rocks or dead coral etc. Very impressive. Now I almost forget to tell what some men are wearing to work. They usually wear a black Lavalava with pockets and a shirt with Samoan prints on it.
Another typical Polynesian, our South Pacific, thing is the beach. Not just outside the water, but also inside the water is absolutely beautiful. Last Saturday (16th of May) my roommate Annick and I went to Piula Cave Pool. It’s half an hour with the bus. The water in the pool is fresh and cool. And in that pool are fish. Those are the biggest fish I’ve seen so far in Samoa. Because the water was very clear, you could see them swim around you. Truly amazing! The next day I saw some more fish, as I went to the Palolo Deep Marine Reserve in Apia. It was so hot that day and I really needed to have a swim to cool down. That place has such incredible coral and different kind of fish. I was happy I could borrow my roommate’s underwater camera (mine sadly doesn’t work anymore). Snorkelling here in Samoa is definitely a thing I will miss when I will be back home. I probably have been in the water for one hour. Too bad I don’t live at the beach, then I would swim every day and don’t have to pay for it. Palolo costs 4 tala.
I almost forget to show you how my Samoan vocabulary has extended over these couple of weeks. I probably forgot some words, but here are some I can come up with now.
afio mai - welcome
aiga - family
alofa - love
aua - don’t / stop
fa - four
fa’afetai (lava) - thank you (very much)
fa’amolemole - please
fale - house
fiafia - happy
ioe - yes
leai - no
lima - five
lua - two
lua sefulu fa - twenty four
maketi - market
manaia - delicious
manuia / lelei - good
matafaga - beach
mauga - mountain
moa - chicken
namu - mosquito
O a mai oe? - How are you?
palagi - white person
pepe - butterfly
sau - come
talofa - hello / welcome
tama - father
tama - boy
tamaiti - children
tasi - one
timu - rain
tina - mother
tofa soifua / fa - (good)bye
tulou - excuse me
ulufafo - exit
ulufale - entrance
vai - water
vevela - hot
The current volunteers at this moment (which are not so many now) are Annick from Luxembourg, Louise from Denmark, Alex from the UK, Florian from France, Tobias from Holland and Rachelle from Australia.
Do not forget to check my Facebook page ‘Psychologist Projects Abroad Samoa’ (http://facebook.com/psychologistsamoa) for photos and videos.
Lots of love from Samoa!
Naomi
For the non-Dutch readers: if you want to read my previous updates. I have translated the Dutch words on this site to English in my first update. You will find it on the left side of this update at ‘reisverslagen’ [= travel blogs] (below the photo of the beach). Next click on ‘new adventure awaits’, (name of my first update). Or you can click on ‘vorige bericht’ [= previous blog] below this update until you get to the first update.
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Sorry for waiting so long for my next update!
I will begin this update by telling you a bit more about my internship. In my very first update I said I was going to the Mental Health Unit of the national Hospital or the Tupua Tamasese Meaole Hospital and Goshen Trust. Well, the place of the internship has been changed now. Since three weeks I am at the Loto Taumafai School and with two Social Workers at the hospital. Monday till Thursday I am at the school and Friday I go to the hospital. The month March was a bit of a switching month. Now I can work at my new placements in April, May and June. I changed because there was not much to do and it was too much working with adults.
Loto Taumafai is a school for children with disabilities and is going to be a nice challenge for me. The age range varies between 4 and 25 years old. They are not sure what the children exactly have. Most say the children are slow learners, slow in reading and writing, deaf or naughty. I cannot do a proper assessment or diagnose them properly. Simply because there are no tests available. I can observe some children and get as much information about them as I can and form a sort of conclusion. The main thing I probably will be doing is to give psycho education to the teachers. When I will be gone, I have passed on some mental health knowledge.
With the Social Workers I will be doing counselling and working on a project with a group of mothers whose babies are malnutrition.
This month and the end of March I have been away during the weekends. For example the weekend of Saturday, 28th of March and Sunday, 29th me and three others went to Manono Island. The Island lies between the big Islands of Upolu and Savai’i. The best thing about Manono Island is that there are no cars and no dogs! With the bus it takes you about 1,5 hours to go the Manono wharf and costs you just 5 tala. From there the Sunset View boat will take you to the Fales within 20 minutes. That day we walked up Mount Tulimanuiva and passed by a star mound and grave of Afutiti. Walking down and back to the Fales in the hot sun we also passed by the Grave of 99 stones. Next day was a Sunday, so that means usually (almost) every tourist attraction is closed. The one thing you then can do is swim in the ocean, so we swam in the ocean on Sunday. We had visited everything that’s on that small little Island anyway.
The weekend after we went to Manono was Easter weekend. Here it is a Christian holiday and all the other things like the Easter bunny, Easter branches or Easter eggs is unknown here. Here in Samoa they start going to church on Thursday evening until Sunday. They go at least once a day and sometimes even twice. I only went to church with my host family on Easter Sunday. The only difference from a regular mass was that there were more people and more in white clothing. In the evening there was a touring circus, the Magic Circus of Samoa, in a village just 20 minutes from us. I went with two others and we all had a great time. The highlight was meeting the shortest man alive. He really is short! The man is called Chandra Bahadur Dangi, has a length of 54,6 centimeters, comes from Nepal and is 76 years old. It was a nice evening. Then on Easter Monday (6th of April 2015) every one of the volunteers except Annick went to Palolo Deep Marine Reserve Apia. It is highly recommended to snorkel there! Such incredible coral and beautiful fish! That day the volunteers Anja and Eivor flew back home in the evening and we had to say goodbye to them.
From Thursday, 9th of April till Sunday, the 12th of April 2015 I went with Tobias and his host mother and father to Savai’i. I could take the Thursday and Friday off. We slept the first two nights at their family (at Vailoa village) and the third night at Lauiula Beach Fales (at Lano village). We arrived pretty late on Thursday and it was raining that day. So we decided to stay at the house of the family. Next day the host father had to arrange a seminar in his village. We helped him by setting up the projector and making pictures. In return we had another good Samoan experience. There were some important people (a minister, someone from UNESCO, 2 others), you had to wear a lavalava or puletasi and there was free lunch at the end. I was glad I was able to take some pictures, because the whole thing was in Samoan. After the seminar we went to the Afu-A-Au Falls, which lies next to the village. The water there is clear, fresh and sweet. The water is probably even potable. We spend the whole afternoon there swimming, talking with tourists and taking pictures. Next day we woke up early and went to the Alofa’aga Blowholes. We had to wait at least one hour before we were able to catch a bus to the village of Taga, where the Blowholes are. The weather was finally on our side and the sight was amazing. The power of the water going high up in the air is incredible! After taking a lot of pictures of this force of nature we took two busses to Tafua Savai’i crater at Tafua Peninsula Rainforest Preserve. This went in a Samoan way: ‘Yes, we go to that direction’, it stopped a few times to get e.g. food, ‘You go and take that bus now’, we thinking in 2nd bus: ‘But we are driving back now?’, at the end when bus stopped for us: ‘So, where is the start of going to the crater?’. Luckily, the people are friendly and you somehow get to the place you want to go eventually. We were guided to the crater by some teenage girls and two boys. When finally there we had to take pictures very fast, cause it began to rain. When we were back at the starting point standing dry, one of the girls called a taxi for us. He brought us to the Lauiula Beach Fales on the East coast. Sleeping there wasn’t expensive, cause we only had to pay 50 tala for one night per person with dinner and breakfast included. The weekend was pretty cheap anyway, because we only had to pay 60 tala per person to the family for two nights. It was, despite the rainy weather, pretty nice at the Fales. It was not so big and not full of people, since it is low season. After a rainy night we woke up, had breakfast and went snorkelling/swimming. It was then already Sunday, so most things are closed. The sun showed itself briefly that morning. With snorkelling it doesn’t matter anyway if it is raining or sunny, the coral and fish still look beautiful. Around noon a taxi took us back to the ferry. Leaving the wharf at exactly 2 o’clock, the long weekend in Savai’i was at an end.
Monday, the 13th of April I experienced a second birthday in Samoa. Jacinta, the host mother of Annick and I, had her birthday that day. In the morning I did not know it yet. Coming into the kitchen I saw Ana, the daughter, making eggs, bacon, white beans in tomato sauce and pancakes. I just thought they were doing a big breakfast for a change. Then I heard it was Jacinta’s birthday. In the evening there were all kinds of delicious things. They were all making fun of me, because I ate a lot haha. Also there was singing, cake and ice scream at the end. Yammie!
During my stay here in Samoa I experienced three earthquakes now. The first two were very small. It felt like someone was shaking your bed. The third and most recent one was a bigger one. It was on a Tuesday (7th of April, 2015). I just sat in the Projects Abroad Office with Flora, the Samoan volunteer. Suddenly I felt that the floor and desk were a bit shaking. Then it was shaking heavier and also the walls were a bit shaking. For one moment I thought if I should go hide under the desk or not. I looked at Flora, but she stayed in her chair looking around cautiously. Suddenly it all stopped. This all happened within one minute. Later I learned that the earthquake was a 5,8 on the Scale of Richter. It was heavier than I thought and experienced. Some other volunteers had felt it as well and some hadn’t noticed at all. They were probably in a bus or car.
On Saturday, the 18th of April, some volunteers and I went to the Return to Paradise Beach, which belongs to a resort with the same name. It was the first time I have seen such big waves and so close to the shore here in Samoa. It is very hard to swim there, because of the current. However the beach looks gorgeous. The name of the beach comes from the 1951 Gary Cooper film ‘Return to Paradise’. So when I am back in Holland, I will have to download and watch that movie. It was a pity that the weather was not in our favour and we had to wait at least one hour till we got some food. Everyone, except me, wanted pizza. Unfortunately, some guests of the resort also ordered pizza. The result of this was that only one of the volunteers and I got what we ordered at first. The rest had to take something else. After some swimming and playing beach volley ball or rugby, having a long lunch and hanging around we went back on time. We had to get back on time, because Annick and I had to make dinner for our host family that evening. We wanted to cook for a change. Annick made Spaghetti Carbonara, but it turned out to be scrambled eggs. The day before when we did the shopping, we couldn’t find any cream and therefore had to use milk. Luckily, I found all the correct ingredients for my Spaghetti Bolognese, even though we had to go to three supermarkets before we found minced meat. In the end there was plenty of Spaghetti and everyone liked both the sauces.
As I told in my last update, the month April is a month of change regarding coming and going of volunteers. The current volunteers at this moment are Annick from Luxembourg, Kellie from Belgium, Kira and Ann from Germany, Louise from Denmark, Alex from the UK, Florian from France, Tobias from Holland, Kathrin from Austria and Lillian (elder lady) from Norway. There has also been a change of Projects Abroad staff members. Faleolo, the Project Coordinator has left. Alex, a Samoan who has lived most his life in Australia, is now the new Project Coordinator. Also Lindsay a young man from Australia has joined the team.
Do not forget to check my Facebook page ‘Psychologist Projects Abroad Samoa’ (http://facebook.com/psychologistsamoa) for photos and videos.
Pasefua! Fa!
Naomi
For the non-Dutch readers: if you want to read my previous updates. I have translated the Dutch words on this site to English in my first update. You will find it on the left side of this update at ‘reisverslagen’ [= travel blogs] (below the photo of the beach). Next click on ‘new adventure awaits’, (name of my first update). Or you can click on ‘vorige bericht’ [= previous blog] below this update until you get to the first update.
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Here is another update from far far away!
First I would like to say that I have found a way to put a lot of photos and clips via the internet. I have made a Facebook page called ‘Psychologist Projects Abroad Samoa’ (http://facebook.com/psychologistsamoa). I got the idea thanks to my roommate. It’s good that I have the Facebook page now, because I couldn’t put many more photos here. So, please go ahead, see and like my page.
Now back to my update about Samoa. I will now give you some things that I noticed here in Samoa and some facts. For example, they drive on the left side of the road here. I probably would have to get used to be on the right side of the road when I am back home again. Driving on the left has only been since the 7th of September 2009. At that time there were some protesters in front of the building, but the government changed it anyway. In one day every sign etc. was changed. If you want to buy a car after that, the steering wheel had to be on the right side of the car. Nowadays you still see some (old) cars or busses with the steering wheel on the left side. The government changed this, because over time it has made a lot of connections with Australia and New Zealand. This has also been the reason that the country lost 24 hours as it jumped over the international date line from East to West from 29th of December to 31st of December 2011. This meant that there was no 30th of December that year. The ones who had their birthday then, had to celebrate it on the 29th or 31st of December. With this change it had become easier to doing business with Australia and New Zealand. Also Samoa is now the first country who celebrates New Year and is not the last one anymore. Samoa is at this moment 13 hours ahead of the Netherlands. However it will be 12 hours of time difference soon, as summertime will begin on Sunday, the 29th of March in the Netherlands. Then the clock will be set an hour ahead. Already a week later (5th or April), the clock will be set back for 1 hour here in Samoa. From then on till the last Sunday of September Samoa will be 11 hours ahead of the Netherlands.
Now I would like to tell you about the lovely animals you have here on these Islands. You have mosquitos who like palagis (people with white skin), aggressive dogs, salamanders walking up and down the walls, chickens and roosters you hear early in the morning, crickets you hear at night together with the dogs, very thin horses, pigs rummaging about and some birds which one kind I think makes a very odd sound. The mosquitos and dogs are the worst. You get always stung by a mosquito whatever preventive means you have. Then you are always a bit afraid of dogs that might chase you or even bite you. There were now only two times I got dogs running after me while I was cycling and one time I was really afraid of some dogs when I walked to Goshen the first time. Bottom line: I won’t miss the mosquitos and dogs at all when I will be back home! The rest of the animals I can live with. I do feel a bit sorry for the dogs. How they are kept here as a pet is so much different then back home. They live outside instead of inside the house, because of the heat and dirt they might bring inside. Dog food from the store is expensive so they get the leftover chicken bones from dinner. People don’t really teach them like giving a paw or to sit etc. I see no real punishments or rewards given to the dogs. However they do listen a bit luckily. The dogs don’t seem to be very impressed by cars. They just lie or sit on the road sometimes and leave their spot until a car is like 1 till 2 meters away from them. It is unbelievable! As a driver it’s very annoying, cause you have to slow down trying not to run over the dog. My host family has two dogs. The old dog Bingo and the puppy Tiger.
In the first chapter I already told a bit about taking the bus here. I told there were no schedules or actual bus stops. And you pull the cord when you want to get out. I do have to correct a fact that I wrote about the price. It is luckily not always 1,50 tala. For me it is 1,50 to town and then 1 tala to the hospital. So it does depend on the distance. When taking the bus I advise to try to avoid rush hour when everyone goes to or comes from work or school. The bus might be so full that there’s no room for you and passes by leaving you to wait for the next overfull bus. When you can go on the bus you either have to sit on somebody’s lap, have someone else (child) on your lap, have to stand or you can just sit normally. There is some kind of hierarchy in the bus. Usually the younger boys or men sit at the back. Older people will sit in the front and often people make room for them. Girls almost always end up sitting on each other’s or someone else’s lap. And I, a foreigner, am sometimes spared to have somebody on my lap or have to sit on somebody else’s lap. Thus quite an experience!
Another way of transportation is going by taxi. This is more expensive than taking the bus. If I want to go to the office of Projects Abroad I have to pay 7 tala. The thing with the taxi here is when you need one there’s no one around, but when you don’t need one it’s always like: Taxi? Taxi? Taxi?! Very annoying. Sometimes I am not even bothered to say no and just ignore. The times you have to take the taxi is usually during evening or at night. The bus only goes from 06.00h till 18.00h. I cannot go with my bike, because I don’t have lights and I am uncomfortable biking when the sun is down. You can spare some costs when you have to take the taxi by walking a bit first and then take the taxi for the last part (or other way round). Writing about the taxi makes me think about the driving style and traffic here. Like you just go through red light if you see there’s no traffic to the direction you want to go. There are not many road signs. So many people drive too fast. I don’t know what you have to do exactly to get a driving licence. It would probably be very easy. You cannot get lost very quickly, because there are not many roads in Samoa. If you do get lost, it’s not difficult to find your way again. Driving in town during rush hour on a school/working day you have to watch out. Driving on a Sunday somewhere far away from Apia is very laid back.
Some other typical Samoan thing is the shouting. They shout at each other at the other side of the house. They call out someone’s name and sometimes add Sau! (come) or O fea oe! (where are you). Another thing is when eating and/or drinking they tend to make noise (smack, smack, smack). There’s also not really a settled dinner time. Annick and I usually eat earlier, because they always eat very late. I still am surprised that they don’t feel any hunger around 6 o’clock. Furthermore don’t be surprised if someone is asking about your name, age and marital status. Another thing here is that you put your flip flops at the entrance before entering a house or fale.
I went to a Fa’afafine show on Thursday (12th of March) and the first male model show on Friday (13th of March). Fa’afafine means ‘to be a woman’ (“fa’a” means “to be” and “fafine” means “woman”). They are born men, but they see themselves as females and grow up choosing to identify with the female gender. The fa’afafine is to be considered the third gender here in Samoa and so are accepted by most Samoan people. The show on Thursday was with three fa’afafines and the show on Friday had six contestants. Both shows were really funny. Not many people attended it though. The categories for the male show were traditional ware, lava lava, talent and interview. Prince nr. 1 had won the first category and was also the grand winner. Prince nr. 4 won the other three categories. Oh and the most funny part was during the Fa’afafine show. They liked Tobias, the other Dutch volunteer. It was so funny when he had to go on stage and everyone laughed so hard. He had a nice first week.
I furthermore experienced a birthday for the first time here in Samoa. John, the son, had his birthday on the 10th of March. We had a nice dinner with the whole family in the evening with cake and singing afterwards. Also before eating there was a prayer. Because it was a special event, the prayer was a bit longer than usual.
Lastly, the current volunteers at this moment are Annick from Luxembourg, Kira and Yvonne from Germany, Kellie from Belgium (German part), Anja from Denmark, Melissa from America, Eivor (Ivy) from Norway, Tobias from the Netherlands and Alice from Canada (French part). Birgitta has left and the other elder lady Christa has just arrived. Also I forgot to tell and didn’t know before that Nori is from a Japanese volunteer organisation. As for Bumbei, he is still here I presume. He does a language program for a whole year or something. Next month (April) there is going to be a switch. Some volunteers are going away and new volunteers will be arriving.
Naomi
For the non-Dutch readers: if you want to read my previous updates. I have translated the Dutch words on this site to English in my first update. You will find it on the left side of this update at ‘reisverslagen’ [= travel blogs] (below the photo of the beach). Next click on ‘new adventure awaits’, (name of my first update). Or you can click on ‘vorige bericht’ [= previous blog] below this update until you get to the first update.
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Time goes by so quickly. It is already my fourth update and my third here in Samoa. Also I have been here for over one month now.
From now on I will try to update you more often, so it won’t be such long texts. And I still have to figure out how to be able to put more photos and clips. Perhaps I can download the photos and clips on another site and put the link in the update.
Here in Samoa you don’t have Wi-Fi everywhere. This means that you cannot go on the internet whenever you want. When you want to go on the internet you can go to one of the few internet cafes in Apia. There are also some hotspots. I myself always go to the Projects Abroad office, where they have Wi-Fi. At the office is a computer with internet which all volunteers can use. You can of course bring your own laptop or mobile with you. It’s just that the office is only open during the afternoon for couple of hours. You can mail or look up something at internet, but because of the time difference it is a bit difficult to skype. Another way to have internet is to buy an internet dongle for your laptop. I have just bought one and now I can also go on internet at home. But just like with the phone you have to top up, get more credit and data. You can buy for example 675 mb for 19 tala, but it only last for one week. To check your balance, you can call *120 and to check how much data you have left you dial *130. Then it will show on you mobile how much you got. This is the only way here in Samoa to be able to call, text and go on internet.
So now something different. On Thursday (19-febr-2015) was another social event. This time we were taught how to cook traditional Samoan Umu. We went to one of the host families. We have been showed how to prepare, wrap and cook the food in an oven ground that was traditionally used and is still used today by most Samoan families. We had coconuts, baked green banana’s, ripe yellow banana’s, taro, taro leaves, bread fruit, fish (tuna) and chicken. We made Palusami (coconut milk in taro leaves) and Faiaieleni (fish in coconut milk). It is a long process. We started at 5pm and could finally eat at 8pm. Imagine they did this every day. Now it is only done on Sunday (see also last update).
Following weekend, that of 21st of February, my roommate finally arrived early Sunday morning. She came with the exact same flight as me, but then precisely 4 weeks later. Her name is Annick and comes from Luxembourg. She is also 24 and is an occupational therapist. So far she is very nice and a good roommate ;). That Sunday she slept in the morning. She had been in Australia for 4 weeks, so she did not had a huge jetlag or was exhausted from the long journey. In the afternoon we went to the Papasaea Sliding Rocks near Apia. In the beginning it looks a bit scary to slide down, but afterwards it is not as bad as you think it was.
The current volunteers at this moment are my roommate Annick from Luxembourg, Ashley from Australia, Kira and Yvonne from Germany, Kellie from Belgium (German part), Anja from Denmark, Melissa from America, Eivor (or Ivy) from Norway and Christa, an older lady but looks very youthful, from Switzerland. Also there are other volunteers, but we don’t see them much. They are Bumbei and elder lady Nori from Japan and elder lady Birgitta from Sweden. This weekend (7 till 9 march) Ashley will be leaving us and another Dutch person has arrived. Tobias is his name and he arrived on Saturday morning. He stays at another host family. I haven’t met him yet.
The weekend after the arrival of Annick. (Friday, 27-febr-15 – Sunday, 1-march-15) we went with nine people to Lalomanu beach. We hired a minivan and had Ashley as driver. We left on Friday afternoon and arrived at the Taufua beach fales after less than one and a half hour. Upon arrival, the first thing you do is jump into the ocean of course. The water has such a perfect warm temperature. Here in Samoa you can swim in the ocean all year round and it also doesn’t matter whether it is day or night nor when it is raining or sunny. I only would not swim when there is a thunderstorm going on above your head. When everyone was cooled down and had a shower we waited for dinner. They said it would be between 19h and 20h, but in Samoan time it means 20.30h. For dinner we had all kinds of delicious food. There was pasta with broccoli and bacon, meatballs and onions, rice, different kind of vegetables and of course there was chicken. The rest of the evening we sat and talked. At that moment Ivy just arrived at the fales. She came from Fiji, but her original flight got cancelled. At 23.00h everyone went to bed. There was also a backpackers group that stayed there the whole weekend. Two of them were Jutta and Jelle (brother and sister) from Apeldoorn (the Netherlands). The first Dutch people I met since I arrived in Samoa. Funny! Next morning I felt very tired. I wasn’t really that tired when we went to bed. I woke up a couple of times during the night. I found the ocean too close; the sound of it was a bit too loud. Furthermore, the mattress I lay on was very thin. I practically lay on the fale floor. Anyway, in the morning after having a nice breakfast we swam in the ocean again. During the afternoon most of us went to the To Sua Ocean Trench. It consists of “two sinkhole-like depressions with sheer rock walls decorated in greenery…. You can swim under a broad arch of rock from the larger pool, serenaded by droplets of water hitting the surface, to the second large opening to the sky. The pool is fed by the waves surging through an underwater passageway – don’t attempt to swim through it.” (guidebook). You can reach the larger pool by climbing a wooden ladder. Some people dare to jump into the water halfway from the ladder. In Samoa most natural sites are on grounds of a family and you have to pay to be able to visit it. For the trench you also had to pay (20 tala). Up at the trench you could leave your things. You could also go to the toilet or shower if you want or need to. There were furthermore beautiful cliffs at the ocean side. At the trench I came across a colleague from the hospital. She is a social worker and here name is also Naomi. She was there with her son and cousins. It was just when we went away and the others were waiting for me I saw her and had a little talk. On our way back to the fales we made some photos at the beach. That night we had again such a good dinner. There was lobster, mussels, white fish, sushi, mashed potatoes, curry and salad with crab. It was Saturday evening and this means that there’s a fiafia show. A dancing family showed us traditional Samoan dancing. Annick, 3 other girls from the backpackers group and I tried as well. After us some guys were asked to go on the dance floor to try it. Next were some boys and a man who did fire dancing. That was so amazing. This family has lost many of its members at the 2009 Tsunami. You can still see some remaining of the Tsunami. Hereafter you could all go to the dancefloor. Our group however went to the beach a bit further away where Anja played her guitar and sang. That night I still didn’t sleep well, even with an extra mattress. I woke up several times, also because of the rain and thunder. Next day after having again a lovely breakfast (American pancakes) we left Lalomanu beach. We visited two waterfalls on our way back to Apia. This was bit of a downer. It was a waste of 10 tala we had to pay in total. The first waterfall (Sopoaga Waterfall) you couldn’t swim and the second waterfall (Falefa Waterfall) the water looked to dirty to swim. So we drove further, sat at the beach for a little while and arrived in Apia on time to hand in the van. While waiting for the men of the company to come back, we went to the McDonald’s to get some ice scream.
On Sunday, the 8th of march I went to church mass for the second time here in Samoa. It is pretty much the same as home, but still it is nice to experience it at the other side of the world. Mass starts at 9am. This Sunday it finished at 10.20am. Also the children choir sang that Sunday, which is nice. At the start of the mass we first stand up while the preacher speaks. When he is done the choir sings and everyone sits down. After this there is like a 20 minute long preach. It is all in Samoan, so I couldn’t understand a word he said. But even if it was in a language I know, I still would find it boring and not listen to it. Next up was collecting the money for the children choir and the church. Then the best part came, the communion. You’re able to stand up and move a bit again. Because for me the wooden benches are so hard. I don’t have much fat. I remember that the communion is always at the end of the mass. But now after the mass there was still 20 minutes. Within those 20 minutes there’s the final preach. Also between bringing the wine and communion and go to the front to get the communion bread, the people say a hymn and stand with their hand palms up and/or holding hands. For me the whole mass I just followed the rest. Stand whenever they stand, sit whenever they sit, go on the knees, shake hands, make a cross, etc.
Some weeks ago I have sent some postcards and just heard that they have arrived. I now know that it takes about two weeks for a postcard to go from Samoa to the Netherlands. My host mother sent it for me at the 19th of February and my parents and two grandmothers got their cards around the 3rd of March.
Since Thursday evening (05-03-2015) I take antibiotics for a couple of days. I scratched some mosquito bites open and some got infected. Oops! :S
Finally, I have a bike. I started looking for it a couple of weeks ago, but didn’t had much chance to go to the store. It’s really hard to find one, because first of all there are not many bikes and secondly they don’t have a bike shop or bike repairer. You have to go and ask people. And if a shop has bikes, the have only one, two or when you’re lucky three bikes. What I noticed as well is that they only have mountain bikes. One day I found a mountain bike I was happy with and bought that one. Later however I find the kind of bike I was looking for when Annick was looking for a bike last Saturday (7-march-2015). Aarghh!! It was a lady bike with a basket up front and a rack at the back. Such a shame that the bike was also very expensive. That’s just my luck unfortunately. When I don’t look for something, I somehow find it. Ah well, I am now stuck with my cool mountain bike. Annick will probably will buy a cheap mountain bike she saw at another shop.
I will stop here now, before it is getting too long again. Next time I try to update you sooner.
Naomi
For my non-Dutch readers: if you want to read my previous updates e.g. I have translated the Dutch words on this site to English in my first update. You will find it on the left side of this update at ‘reisverslagen’ [= travel blogs] (below the photo of the beach). Next click on ‘new adventure awaits’, (name of my first update). Or you can click on ‘vorige bericht’ [= previous blog] below this update until you get to the first update.
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Here is the second update from rainy Samoa! Yes, rainy. It is not all the sunshine you see on postcards. It is now raining a lot or it is cloudy. This is because it’s at the moment (November till April) rain and cyclone season. From May will be dry season. So I will have to wait several weeks until it is dry season. Not that it is totally bad, because there’s less change I get a sun burned and being in the rain is not as hot as standing in the sun. On the other hand, I cannot make as beautiful pictures now as when the sun shines. Also the air now is very humid, which is not really comfortable. But my hair doesn’t at least get very static. Now in Holland with the dry winter air it would be.
Every week (usually on Wednesday or Thursday) is social event with all the volunteers. On my first social event (Thursday, 29-jan-15) I met almost all the volunteers. We had a social dinner at 6 o’clock at Amanakis Hotel (Amanakis means Hope in another Polynesian language Ana told me). I already knew Kellie from Belgium. The other volunteers were Yakup and Raimund from Germany, Sophie from Austria, Ruby from Australia and Bumbei from Japan. The rest of th volunteers who weren’t there were Birgitta (an older woman) from Sweden and Jessie and Carly from Australia. It was nice to meet some others. You can talk with them, share stories and ask them questions. At dinner everyone ordered a hamburger. Because I still had to recover a little bit from having not eaten much during flight and because of the warmth I wasn’t very hungry I ordered a chicken salad. I tasted very nice though.
On Friday morning (30-jan-15) I went to the Museum of Samoa in town. It was raining the whole day, so I thought I would do something inside. The museum is a small building divided between four air-conditioned, themed rooms: history, culture, Pacific and environment. You don’t have to pay entry fee, but donations are appreciated. The first room I went in on the upper floor was probably Pacific themed. They showed all kind of different miniature boats / canoes. And there was information on how they travelled to other parts of the Pacific. In the history room I came across a nice story. It was called ‘The legend of Lata and the sacred trees’. Basically the story told that Lata should have sacrificed something to the god of trees before cutting anything down. The third room showed what kind of animal life and flora & fauna there is in Samoa and some being endangered. They showed different kind of coral and Samoan shellfish. Then the most interesting room I found, was probably the culture room. The room displayed a miniature Fale, cricket bat and ball (Samoan form of cricket is called kirikiti) and how sennit (fibres of coconut) is made. Also there was information on the traditional art of tattoo. I have put a picture of the poster below. The poster said: ‘Receiving the Tatau: Receiving the male tattoo, the Pe’a, is connected with many rituals and taboos. The tattoo artist, the tufuga ta tatau, is highly respected and will leave the process unfinished, if taboos have been broken. / There are distinct steps in the creation of the male tattoo which have to follow in a certain sequence: The asofaalava (first line on the back) determines the width of the va’a (boat) and the pe’a (bat; design beneath the va’a). The va’a is outlined and completed. The tattoo continues down the back and over the thighs to the back of the knees. The sides of the back and hips are tattooed. The front of the legs are filled in. The finishing parts of the tattoo are the punialo (lower abdomen) and the pute (navel). / During this whole process, the taboos have to be observed. The recipient never is left alone, but has to stay away from his wife or any other sexual relationship. He can only bath in seawater; the pus and blood have to be wiped up continuously. There should be no harsh noise around the house or where the tattoo makes place, and no sick person can stay there. Members of the family will accompany the recipient and comfort him with their songs. They also have to support the process by providing the gifts to the tattoo artist. / The Pe’a can take days, weeks or months, depending on the ability of the recipient to stand the excruciating pain, on the skills of the tufuga, and on the healing process. / At the completion, a ceremony takes place to lift the taboos and thank the tufuga ta tatau with gifts.’ Today it is different and not many people have tattoos made like this. Well I at least don’t have actually seen somebody with this kind of tattoo. Although I have seen someone receiving the Tatau. I didn’t saw it clearly though, because I stood at some distance.
Next day (Saturday, 31-jan-15) I went to the Misiluki Spa in town. I thought it would be a nice relaxing treat and good for the many mosquito bites on my legs. When I made the appointment I asked what treatment is best for me. They told me I should take the ‘Esi’ Papaya Body Wrap. So I said I take that one. It takes one and a half hour and costs $170 tala dollar. A girl my age did my treatment. She started with a coffee body scrub. It helps remove dead skin cells and other unwanted debris from your body. Then I had the papaya wrap. Papaya contains papain enzymes, which naturally soften and revitalize and heals skin when absorbed, and with the help of tea tree chamomile essential oils it works on the main areas such as insect bites and other inflamed skin. After lying for a while in the papaya wrap, I was unwrapped, removed it under a (second) cold shower and dried myself. Finally she put on strawberry soothing lotion with vitamin C. This helps sooth and replenish skin, it’s boost in hydration and helps cell renewal. I went away with my skin smelling nicely of strawberries.
On Monday, 2-febr-15 I had my first day of internship. Faleolo from Projects Abroad brought me to the hospital around 10.00h and introduced me to dr. George, my Practice Supervisor. He showed me the ward and introduced me to some other staff members. Only 1 till 2 hours I immediately got a case. They usually don’t do what the boy have, but because it was in my field they brought him to me. It is actually a real test of what you know. The rest of the day and also the week I was searching information and writing a report. From then on and now still I am getting used to things. Also I learn about the Samoan culture and about the mental health unit. I notice that I have to sit with them, ask question and observe what they are doing. This week a medical student and I got another case. Also a boy. If there will be a new case every 2 weeks, I won’t be able to Goshen Trust. I would also do my internship at this mental health service.
Somewhere on page 100 in my Lonely Planet Guidebook it says ‘Best Places to Stay: - Namu’a Island Beach Fale (p119)’ and on page 102 it says ‘Samoa Highlights: 1. Sleeping in a traditional Samoan fale such as those on Namu’a island (p119)’. Going to page 119 it says ‘Namu’a Island Beach Fale: (Map 104; phone 751 0231; Namu’a; fale incl 2 meals & return boat transfers per person ST90) Namu’a is only a short boat ride from Mutiatele, but once you’re on this tiny private island you’ll feel like Upolu is light years away (even though it’s clearly visible across the strait). Do a circumnavigation of the shoreline (low tide only), clamber up the steep central peak and snorkel the surrounding reef. Fale are open, basic and right on the beach – there’s no electricity so everything is lit by oil lamps at night. Meals are mostly local style (think fried fish and cassava for dinner, and spam and eggs for breakfast). Park your car (ST10 per day) at the shop with the Namu’a sign in Mutiatele and they’ll call the resort to come pick you up.’
Saturday and Sunday 7 and 8-febr 15 I could see the Island with my eyes and experience staying at a fale for one night. So, after being there I can tell you if the information in the book is right. So, first is the phone number. This is correct, but you can also call +685 758-8209. Secondly, I do have to set the price right. Because I paid $120 for one night, that’s incl. breakfast, dinner and boat ride. And for lunch I had to pay an extra $10. Then it is indeed a short boat ride. It only takes 5 to 10 minutes to get to the Island and it is indeed visible from the mainland. When we we’re there we, like described in the guide book, clambered up the steep central peak and snorkelled the surrounding reef. For snorkelling I used someone else’s goggles. Immediately seeing the beautiful coral and fishes, I thought I definitely should buy my own goggles. I have put pictures of Namu’a Island. The weather was not all sunshine, but still it was really nice. Like in the evening there was a sunset with nice orange and red colours. On Sunday three persons and me went up the central peak. Because it had been raining it was very slippery and muddy. But we made it to the top and had a fantastic view from the other side of the Island. We slept the night in three traditional fales. On the Island there’s is no electricity and everything was lit by solar powered lamps at night. I have slept good in the fale. Only two or three times did I wake up. Once in the middle of the night another volunteer was awake. We heard thunder and saw lightning closer than the day before. It has been thundering far away sometimes the whole weekend. So, because we thought it might rain we immediately took everything in and brought everything in safety. Of course, it didn’t rain until the next morning. In the morning we got eggs, bacon, bread, banana and kind of a pancake with a little bit of cheese on it. For lunch we had to’ona’i. To’ona’i is a big lunch on Sunday after church service. It consist of typical Samoan food, like palusami (coconut cream wrapped in taro leaves), fish in coconut cream, breadfruit and papaya. They also eat a lot of chicken here. There has been chicken in almost every meal now. We also had chicken for dinner on Saturday evening. There was also breadfruit (but differently prepared), pumpkin and a sausage.
After this lovely weekend I went back to work at the hospital. On Wednesday (11-febr-15) I finally received my parcel with my study books and dictionary. My father sent it to the office of Projects Abroad and it finally arrived after about 3 and a half weeks. Another thing worth telling from this week is that some new volunteers arrived. Last week’s social event (Wednesday, 04-02-15) was just with Faleolo, me and the new volunteer Yvonne from Germany. We then had McDonald’s (yes, there’s even one McDonald’s in whole of Samoa) and ate it at the seawall behind the old government building. This week’s social event (Thursday, 12-02-15) the group consisted of Ashley from Australia. He is going to teach children at a primary school. And there’s Anja, the journalist, from Denmark. She’s volunteering at the Samoan Observer, the national newspaper here. She immediately got on the front page. We had picnic and played cricket. Katy (UK), the country director of Samoa and Mårten (Denmark), the visiting country director from Fiji were also there. Also the day before I have seen Birgitta, the older lady from Sweden, at the office. Ruby, Carly, Sophie and Yakub are leaving one by one at the moment. The others were traveling or sick. Overall, I think we are now with 7 till 10 volunteers.
When searching in my guidebook for the correct word for Sunday lunch I came across this text ‘The ferries to and from Savai’i can get very full, especially on weekends, holidays and Friday afternoons. Arrive at least one hour early on these days and get in the queue (in your car if you’re driving or in the departure lounge if you’re on foot) or you’ll risk not getting on – the captains are (fortunately) quite strict about not overloading the boats. Crowds at busy times create a crush not unlike the front row of a Justin Bieber concert – it’s one of the only times you’ll see Samoans forget their manners and really push and shove. Boats seldom run on ‘Samoa time’. A 2pm departure means a 2pm departure.’ This is indeed quite true, as my host family (Jacinta-host mother, John-son, Ana-daughter, Alana-granddaughter, Epenesa-granddaughter & Noelani-granddaughter) and me had to rush on a Sunday morning (15-febr-15) to catch a boat after forced to have breakfast at Samoan time at the hotel (they were waiting for the boss). We had stayed at the other side of the Island for one night at the Vaisala Beach Hotel. Close by lives an sick aunt of Jacinta, whom we visited the day before. We luckily also had time for a swim on our small trip to Savaii. We did have to wake up really early (5.30h) on that Saturday to catch the boat at 8am. On the road we picked up Noelani from her parent’s house. Epenesa has been already staying with us since a couple of days. After one and a half hour with the boat we were at Savaii. From the warf it was still a long journey to our hotel. We also stopped a couple of times to buy something at a shop or to go to the toilet. On our way I saw a lot of fales. The animals I saw from the road were horses, pigs, cows, chicken and of course dogs. The one thing that struck me most was the Heineken beer at the shop where we bought some food. I was looking if there was anything to drink and suddenly my eye fell on a word I recognized. Of course I made a picture of it. For all Dutch people who are going to the other side of the world, you won’t miss our Dutch beer. Unless you don’t like it like me or rather have another brand. Arriving at our hotel, we swam in the ocean first, went to the aunt and family, had a rest and went back again. Overall it was a nice short trip. Oh and I got sunburned for the first time. I did put on sun screen (factor 50), but I must have lay in the water for too long.
To end this update, I put some Samoan words I already learned here. There are some more words, but I forgot them and not have written down yet. My Samoan vocabulary is at the moment as followed:
1. talofa - hello / welcome
2. leai - no
3. fa’afetai - thank you
4. manaia - delicious
5. timu - rain
6. tina - mother
tina - Tina
7. tama - father
tama - boy
8. ioe - yes
9. sau - come
10. aiga - family
11. matafanga - beach
I am going to end here. It has already been a long story. But of course there is so much to tell. And please, ask whatever you want to know about Samoa and/or leave comments :D. For now, it is getting used to things for me. As long as I remember that I do not live permanently in the middle of nowhere and later I would be very disappointed if have I left early. Also, I want to explore every little corner of this country. As you can see in the picture, it’s really beautiful.
Naomi
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Here is my first blog written from Samoa!! As you have read in my last blog, I will be staying in Samoa for 5 months and will be doing my internship here.
As with all journeys, my journey began at home. I left home on Thursday, the 22nd of January 2015. I said goodbye to my home and two cats Tarzan and Jane at 14.30h. I tried to hug them, but they weren’t interested. I think I hugged them too much that day. My mother first took me to my father’s office. From there my father and I would go to Amsterdam. Here I had to say goodbye to my mother and left at 15.15h for Amsterdam. At 18h with half hour of traffic jam and searching for the hotel, we arrived at the Van der Valk Hotel Schiphol A4. There we ate a lovely dinner at the hotel and had gone to bed early.
The next day (Friday, 23-jan-15) was the day I would left my beautiful country for real. Awake at 6.30h we had some breakfast and got ready to go to the airport. I arrived nicely on time at Schiphol Airport. My father dropped me off there and from there our ways departed. After this last goodbye I went inside the airport and went to the check-in. At the check-in I already noticed I have chosen a not everyday destination. The woman behind the desk didn’t understand a sentence and had to ask someone for help. Basically it said that I have date-changeable tickets, because the Visa for Samoa is valid for 60 days and when in Samoa you can extend it. So after that was clear, my luggage was weighted (22kg) and I have passed the very first check or control. After that I went to the passport control and the hand luggage control. Finally at 10.00h all passengers were able to go in the plane for flight SQ 323, destination Singapore. Fifteen minutes later than planned we taxied of at 10.45h. At 11.15h we were in the air and from this point I have left Holland. Now I should remind you that because of the long journey and getting through a lot of time zones, from now on the given time is and will be the local time. I found the plane to Singapore pretty luxurious. I was in a BOEING 777-200. A big airplane. Every seat was equipped with a pillow, blanket and headphone. I luckily had a window seat. Back at the check-in the woman had asked me what I preferred. The stewardesses of Singapore Airlines, (wearing very nice uniforms) gave each passenger a warm small towel. Also during flight they gave a menu for lunch and breakfast and a sachet with socks, toothpaste and a toothbrush. Beforehand I was afraid I would have loud noisy neighbours, but luckily I got good neighbours. On the flight to Singapore I sat next to a couple. The woman was from Portugal and the man from Argentina. They told me they worked in East Timor (lies near Bali they said). The flight went overall better than thought. Hallway I got really tired. After that I have slept every time I was in a plane.
After flying for approximately 12 and a half hour the plane landed safely at 06.05h on Saturday (24-jan-15) at Singapore Changi Airport. My ears behaved very well while descending. I did not feel too much the changing pressure while landing. When I got off the plane I went to the first toilet I could find and freshen up. I then went to the right terminal and gate and waited for the next flight. Meanwhile there are a lot of shops where you can buy things. Also you could eat something by getting a food card. When you are done, you could return it and get the remaining money back. However the best thing there was in the airport was a butterfly garden. There were beautiful big black and white butterflies, slightly smaller brown butterflies, etc. They had information signs about what the biggest butterfly and smallest is, the process of becoming a butterfly and that 5% (as I can remember) of the different kinds of butterflies lives in Singapore. Unfortunately, I couldn’t stay forever in that garden and had to catch my next flight. Again there was a hand luggage control and after that I could board again half an hour before leaving. At 9.45h, 10 minutes later than original departure time the plane (an AIRBUS INDUSTRIE A330-300) taxied of at 9.35h and went into the air. During this flight (flight SQ 245) I had again a good neighbour. She had a window seat and I was at the side of the pathway. My neighbour was a girl from Italy (at the site of the Adriatic coast). She was heading back again to Brisbane after visiting her family for 3 weeks, which she hasn’t seen in 2 years. She was also a psychologist just like me. She works with people who have dementia. We both slept the whole flight, because we were both very tired. I was afraid that the landing part would be the most nauseated thing for me, but I was wrong. Every time they came with the food trolley (especially warm food or drinks) I couldn’t stand the smell of it. One of the flight attendants noticed this and gave me a mouth cap. Haha, I felt very Asian wearing this. It did help though. I couldn’t smell the food. I took it off again when the trolley with the collected food trays left and the air was clear again. Phew what a relief. I could always sleep again after the trolley had gone and weren’t shaken during turbulence. Yes, at every single flight there was of course turbulence. Well, 3 hours before landing I got impatient. I really wanted to be in Samoa and found that I have travelled long enough. Unfortunately, I can’t make time go any faster or travel faster, so I had to be patient. On Saturday (still the same day as when I left Singapore) I arrived in Brisbane at 20.45h. Here something really funny happened. The plane had just landed and stood at the gate. Before everybody could get out, there was a voice from the speakers saying: “Will passenger Naomi Levels with a connecting flight to Apia, Samoa report to the ground floor staff” It was something like this the voice said. Of course I did not expect that they would call my name, so I did not catch the whole sentence. My next flight to Apia was to leave in 45 minutes and I thought I could make it. After realizing they were referring to me, I went to the first stewardess I saw and told her I was Naomi Levels. She told the ground staff I was coming and she made way for me from the back of the plane where my seat was, so I could get out. Out of the plane I could follow I woman and she quickly guided my through the airport. First I had to go through the hand luggage control again and then we went for the gate where the plane was waiting. I was almost the last one who checked in. I didn’t had enough time than I thought. It was a funny experience, but I also found it very considered of them. Well, at 21.30h right on time the plane (flight VA 095) leaving for Apia taxied of from the gate and got up in the air. In the plane I immediately made a friend. Because I didn’t had the chance to freshen up in Brisbane I got to go to the toilet at the back of the plane. Only it really smelled bad in there, so I only went to the toilet and get out as quickly as I could. But heading for the toilet an Australian looking surfing dude at the last row began talking to me. He must have been curious. He asked whether I am Dutch, German or Norwegian. My Dutch accent betrayed me and he guessed it right that I was from the Netherlands. Stupid Dutch accent. It sounds horrible is my opinion. It was also the first introduction day in Sweden all over again. Another Dutch person also heard that I was from the Netherlands. The Australian dude, named Robbie, said that he was a volunteer via the Australian government and that there were also other volunteers who were in the plane. Next to the few Australians on board, most people were Samoans. There were no more Europeans or Dutch people, except for me, anymore. Although I learned later that a Belgian girl, also from Projects Abroad, was on the plane. During this flight my neighbour was a friendly social Samoan woman. Again I had no window seat, but there was nothing to see outside anyway. Because the flight wasn’t full this time, there was almost one seat empty between the pathway and window seat. The rows were 3 by 3 seats. I sat in a BOEING 737-800. Right behind the Samoan lady and I, sat a family with a baby. Of course it cried several times during flight. I did get not much sleep then. I have to say that after the third flight you get used to landing, go through all those controls etc. Also at a certain point I didn’t know what time it was or where I was anymore, because of being so tired and of all those time differences (Dutch, Singhalese, Australian and Samoan).
Finally, after many hours of flying I arrived in Samoa at the Faleolo Airport on Sunday (25-jan-15) around 5 o’clock in the morning. Hurray! I made it to the other side of the world! I was really excited! Getting out of the plane I wanted to take a picture of the plane, because I did not had the chance in Brisbane. Only I couldn’t find my photo camera quickly. I thought I left it at the seat behind me, but after getting back into the plane it was not there. I then turned my backpack upside down and voila, I found my camera. Of course I put it where I didn’t usually put it. I went from the plane again, took a picture and got inside to have my Visa. After having my Visa stamp for Samoa in my passport (which made me very happy) at the immigration desk, my suitcase went through the x-ray. I honestly filled in the declaration card. I ticked yes at if I had medicine and food in my suitcase. After reading the card, the security guard only asked if I had brought fruit. I said, no I have sucker, hard caramel candy (Zeeuwse Babbelaars). Oh, I almost forgot! You could collect your suitcase, when you got your Visa. There you were welcomed by a band who played Samoan/Polynesian tunes. So, it is true! You are actually welcomed by a band when you come to the South Pacific! Know I didn’t bring anything illegal into the country, two staff members of Projects Abroad were waiting for me and for Kellie (girl from German part of Belgium). It was also the first time I experienced rain in Samoa. Although it lasted only 5 minutes and it was just drizzling. They women brought us to our host family. On the way my first impression of Samoa was: dark, clam, moist, warm, tropical (palm trees and banana plants). I finally arrived at 7.15h at the home of my host family. When I met my host mother, there was already the first cultural difference. When we were introduced to each other I give her the hand and not thinking straight with my tired head kissed her three times. Very Dutch. She already gave a little distance after one kiss. I saved myself by saying that this is the Dutch way of doing it. After shown me my room, I ate a little and went to bed. Jacinta said that I should rest and she will wake me up for lunch. At 8.15h I had gone to bed while the rest of the family had woken up, gone to church or prepared lunch. First I couldn’t get asleep. At a certain point I closed the window, put the fan on and finally fell asleep. The first impression of the house when I first came in is that I felt like I was in a French holiday house or Australian house. However, looking outside it definitely looked more tropical. Outside a dog and some chickens were walking loosely around the garden and there were also birds and crickets. At 12.10h I was woken up by Jacinta for lunch and met the rest of the family for the first time. I immediately forgot their names when I was introduced to them of course. I only could remember the name of the 3 year old granddaughter, which is Alana. The daughter’s name is Ana Theresa and the name of the son is John. Vaise is their last name. For lunch I only ate some rice and cucumber, while I was still too tired to eat and weak. I then slept and rest again from 13.00-18.00h. Because the air was so humid that day I was very thirsty, sweating and I had to go to the bathroom a lot. Jacinta was so nice to give me my own water, because my European stomach couldn’t handle water from the tap. On Sundays only the supermarket is open. In the evening I went with Jacinta’s daughter, husband and granddaughter to town to do some shopping. In the supermarket they had a lot of things we also have, like cola, meat, Kellogg’s, white beans in tomato sauce, spaghetti, etc. Going to the gas station I experienced another cultural difference. They had people who filled your tank for you. There are only a few gas stations with self-service. Then the last thing they had to do was to take measurements for Alana’s school uniform at a tailor. They all have to wear uniforms when you’re going to school. Even the universities have their own uniforms. We got back to the house. Meanwhile it was already gotten dark. For dinner I ate some toast with pineapple jam. It tastes nice. When finished my dinner, I had a shower and went to bed at 21.45h. I had slept badly because of dogs barking all night.
Somewhere this day I saw the Sunday newspaper. My eye fell on the front page and a name attracted my attention. My own name. The article said that a ferry ‘Lady Naomi’ with 100 passengers from American Samoa to Samoa was stuck for 20 hours. Good to know that my name is familiar in these surroundings. The weather forecast was also in the paper. It said: Evening district forecast for Samoa meteorology division at 3.30PM. Saturday 24-01-2015: Situation: A south westerly wind flow prevails over Samoa. Meanwhile a trough of low pressure lies to the North of the group. For Upolu: Today: Fine and cool night. Few late afternoon showers tomorrow. Tomorrow & Tuesday: Mostly fine apart from a brief showers mainly in the afternoon. Wednesday: Isolated showers.
Next morning (Monday, 26-jan-15) I was awake very early at 06.45h. I got up at 8h and had some breakfast. Faleolo, the placement director of Projects Abroad, called me and said that she would pick me up at 10.15h instead of the agreed time 9.15h for introduction in town together with Kellie. As everyone else got to work, including Jacinta, the ones who stayed home were Alana, the two elderly ladies and a cousin. I read a bit till Faleolo came and pick me up. We first went to the Office of Projects Abroad. She first explained that the Katey Woolley, the country director, was overseas and would come back next week. Faleolo also gave us some forms, t-shirt (probably too big for me), information about the placement and phone numbers of the other volunteers. Meanwhile explaining about the placement of Kellie I could get behind the computer to e-mail my parents that I have arrived safely in Samoa. When there were no more questions we went for a walk through the city. Faleolo showed us the market, post office, bus stop, etc. We also went to the Digicel telephone shop and got our Samoan Sim card with Samoan number. I also got 675 mb data for the phone and could from this moment on go on internet. That also settled Faleolo brought us back home again. I got tired of the walking and a beat weak because of the sun. I therefore went straight to bed when I got home. I didn’t need lunch, while I already ate a nice chicken sandwich that Faleolo paid for me. The rest of the day I had read a bit and slept or rested. At 19.00h I had dinner (noodles) with Jacinta. Normally they eat later, but now I wouldn’t have to eat later than I am used to. Very thoughtful, but in this hot weather I am not really hungry at 18.00h. The rest of the family had a shower and would dine later. Again I experienced rain here in Samoa. Too bad it was only a short cool shower. After dinner I called my mum and dad. I even could FaceTime with my dad. I can also WhatsApp, send a message, go on Facebook and e-mail with my mobile. Glad to have heard my parents I got to the living room with my laptop to start with my weblog. John, the son and another cousin were watching (show) wrestling and afterwards the second part of Johnny English with Rowan Atkinson. Before going to bed Faleolo called me that she had to take another volunteer to the hospital tomorrow. She had an ear infection. So instead of 10.30h, she would pick me up later to show me Goshen Trust. She would show me the hospital another time. By the time Faleolo called, it was already 23.00h. I didn’t notice it was already late. I got to bed and tried to get some sleep. The dogs were quieter tonight, but I still couldn’t fell asleep quickly because of the time difference.
Next morning on Tuesday (27-jan-15) I woke up 06.00h, as also were the chicken. I stayed in my bed and got up at 8.15h. The whole morning I was working on my weblog in the Fale while it was raining. It is a nice temperature there. Now, you must be wondering what a Fale is. Well it is a nice place next to the house where you can sit. On the picture below you can see how it looks like. The wind can come through easily, and it doesn’t feel so hot. But beware, there are a lot of mosquitos there. When I sat there, Faleolo came around 13.30h to take me to Goshen Trust. To Goshen Trust is a 3-minute walk. The CEO and Dr. George (my supervisor) weren’t there at the moment. When we arrived the consumers or patients were just having their lunch. Faleolo introduced me to them, the accountant and another staff member. She also showed me the desk that shall be mine in the main building. I will and can tell you more about Goshen Trust and the hospital when I have actually started to work. I noticed that I felt very tired during the visit and said to Faleolo that I’d rather go home and have a nap. The original plan was that she would take me to town after the visit. So, the rest of the day I spent having a nap, eating dinner (beef with rice and vegetables) and after having a nice shower went to sleep at 22.30h. By the way, they don’t have a warm shower here. It is a luxury if you can shower warm. I thought that it must be nice having a cold shower in this heat, but I didn’t realize it was that cold. So all the times after that I boiled water and put it together with the cold water to a nice temperature. Just for now I would wash myself like this. Mainly because I got a cold. When it is over I try to shower with cold water and try to get used to it. The weather was also a bit nicer. It began raining in the afternoon.
The following day (Wednesday, 28-jan-15) the rain finally stopped. Waking up and getting out of bed at 08.00h I got ready to go to town. Faleolo had showed me yesterday where I could get on the bus. Here you don’t have actual bus stops or bus schedules. You just go and stand where the bus comes by. When I just came to the ‘bus stop’, I saw the bus come by. I was too far to catch it and had to wait for the next bus. The next one (15 min later) came from town. Two people who also waited for the bus said that I could get on this one. You just sit in the bus until you are at your destination. When you are at your destination you pay 1,50 Tala dollar (50 euro cent) when leaving the bus. As well as being able to go anywhere on the bus, you also can go out of the bus anywhere. You just pull the cord, a bell will ring, and the bus driver will stop. And whatever the distance is, you always pay $1,50. The busses also look very nice. I soon will make a picture of it and you can judge for yourself what you think of the busses. Also every bus looks different. The wooden benches inside however are not very comfortable. So, when I arrived in town I went to the pharmacy and supermarket. The most important things I needed were tissues, cough syrup and nasal spray for my cold. I must have got a cold after arriving here from weakness, the airco on the plane, the first cold shower, the fan and warmth outside. Next to having a cold I also got bitten by a lot of mosquitos. So as of today I spray myself with anti-insect, put on after bite stuff when it itches, drink my cough syrup and use the nasal spray. I can also blow my nose again with nice soft tissues, instead of the hard napkins I had to use after I had used all my own tissues brought from home. Being supplied I headed back to my house and took an afternoon nap (siesta ;). Meanwhile the sun was shining again. In the Netherlands I would be happy about it, but now I’d rather have rain. I worked on my weblog again and did some puzzles between the siesta and dinner. For dinner we had eggplant, rice and stirred fried vegetables with beef. The food is not that strange or different luckily. I had a nice shower afterwards and went to bed on time at 22.15h.
Well, that was it for the long trip and first days here in Apia, Samoa. The next blog won’t be so long, because I will be working and see the country. This means I don’t have so much time anymore as I have this week. I will put a lot of pictures and films here. A picture says more than a thousand words they say. Also I probably forget to tell about many things in this blog, but I have to save that for later and not making this blog any longer than it already is.
Naomi
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[message] => En toen waren de 4,5 maand alweer voorbij. Aan de ene kant lijkt het gister dat ik op Schiphol stond, anderzijds voelt het als heeeeeeeeeeeeeeel erg lang geleden. Ondanks de fantastische tijd, gave avonturen, leuke mensen en nieuwe ervaringen ben ik helemaal klaar om naar huis te komen en iedereen weer te zien (ook op mijn eigen bed en douche en nederlandse kaas kan ik me erg verheugen). Eind van de dag stap ik in het vliegtuig in Auckland en zal ik via LA(rare weg) vrijdagmiddag in Amsterdam arriveren, jippie. Maar nu tijd om mijn laatste maand nog met jullie te delen. Mijn laatste blog eindigde in Wellington waar ik een paar dagen gespendeerd heb. Helaas nog altijd met hoofdpijn, maar toch mijn verjaardag even gevierd met een groepje van de bus, hartstikke leuk. Zaterdags de ferry op en weer naar het Zuidereiland om de Westkust te bereizen. De eerste overnachting was in Abel Tasman national Park ( een Nederlander die als eerste europeaan NZ ontdekte maar er al snel weer vandoor ging toen de Maori achter m aan ging). Een super mooi park aan de Noordkust, waar ik met een aantal de volgende dag een 8-uurse hike gemaakt hebben, dit keer redelijk vlak dus goed te doen en heel erg mooi. De volgende dag door naar Blackball een mijnersplaatsje waarbij we nog een rondleiding kregen maar verder echt helemaal niks te doen was. Maar de volgende stop maakte dat helemaal goed: Franz Josef Clacier. Een waanzinnig mooie gletsjer waar ik per helikopter op gedropt werd. Weer een first-time-experience!! Na de helikopter 3 uur lang rondgehiked in volle uitrusting! Eind van de middag nog gratis-entree(bij aankoop van glacier-pass) in de spa's dus lekker zitten badderen. De volgende dag weer een lange dag in de bus, maar gelukkig met heel veel waanzinnige stops. Onder andere bij Lake Matheson, een spiegelmeer waarin je Mount Cook en Mount Tasman gereflecteerd ziet. Later nog bij een waterval, waar de busdriver ons vertelde om 40 sec in de waterval kijken en daarna naar de berg ernaast, waarbij de gehele berg lijkt te bewegen. Aangezien we al in spacende-sferen waren, kreeg ze ons makkelijk te pakken, door te vertellen dat als we nog iets gaafs wilde meemaken, we maar op een bepaald blad moesten kauwen. Dus even later had de hele groep een blad in de mond, waarna na 5 sec iedereen begon te schreeuwen omdat je mond in vlammen leek te staan. Niet heel gaaf dus! Via Lake Wanaka naar het plaatsje Wanaka. Waar we de volgende ochtend naar Puzzleworld gingen, waar ik onder andere 2,5 uur lang door een doolhof heb rondgelopen en de uitgang echt niet meer kon vinden. Op de weg naar Queenstown me laten afzetten bij Anne van Zweeden's huis, waar ik 2 nachtjes mocht verblijven. Heerlijk om even in een echt huis te zijn en lekker te kletsen. De volgende dag ben ik naar Queenstown gelopen, om nog wat spulletjes te kopen en ticket te printen. De weg terug naar Anne's hier verliep echter wat minder soepel. I.p.v. n uur lopen, was ik toch zeker al 2 uur onderweg en kwam ik er langzaam achter dat ik ernstig de verkeerde weg had genomen. Terug had niet veel zin aangezien er niks anders was dan weg, door blijven lopen tot ik half uur later eindelijk in een dorpje kwam, waar ik gelukkig (het werd al donker)een lift heb kunnen strikken. Weer een avontuur.
Nog een avondje op de bank en de volgende dag van Queenstown naar Auckland gevlogen. Om vanaf hier de volgende dag naar Samoa te vliegen. Maar eerst even: een super tijd in Nieuw-zeeland met een ongekend mooie natuur, heel veel aardige mensen en extreme activiteiten. Wel een beetje koud af en toe, dus tijd voor de zon. Ik vroeg om warmte en die kreeg ik ook, met m'n spijkerbroek en jas het vliegtuig uit was het zweten geblazen. Vanaf het vliegveld met een busje 45 min. naar Apia ( de hoofdstad en tevens ook de enige stad). Aangekomen in het Hostel moest ik nog even pinnen, waarbij ik ineens ernstig begon te twijfelen aan mijn besluit om hier heen te komen. Het was een vakantie-dag dus alle Samoaanse jongens hingen op straat. 'Talofa baby psshh psshh' hoorde ik van alle kanten, snel doorgelopen en mijn bed opgezocht. Wat ik het meest ranzige laken aantrof wat je je ooit zou kunnen voorstellen, wat mijn eerste indruk niet veel beter maakte. De volgende dag werd alles gelukkig veel zonniger. Ik kwam er achter dat mensen vooral heel erg nieuwschierig zijn naar waar ik vandaan kom en wat ik hier doe( zijn niet zo heel veel toeristen). Wachtend op de bus naar Saleapaga had ik dus om de 5 minuten wel een praatje met n Samoaan. Het was echter nogal onduidelijk of de bus wel of niet zou komen, maar uiteindelijk ontmoette ik Stef en Mike, engels koppel van 34 en 38, waarmee ik samen een taxi nam. Super lachen koppel met vele mooie verhalen over andere plekker in samoa. 4 dagen in Saleapaga gebleven in Fau Fau Beach Fales (prive-hutje op het strand, paradijs!) Diner en ontbijt waren inclusief, dus ik heb heerlijke samoaanse maaltijden op met vooral heel veel kokosnoot. Woensdagavond Fia Fia, wat feest-avond met traditionele dansrituelen inhoudt. Super gaaf om te zien. Uiteindelijk werd ik ook de dansvloer op getrokken en had ik al snel een aanzoek van een 15-jarige samoaan te pakken. Wat ik na lang wikken en wegen toch maar heb afgeslagen. Toen 2 dagen van storm en regen, regen is hier bizar, na zo'n 0,2 seconde ben je tot op je ondergoed doorweekt. Zaterdags naar Lalomanu doorgetrokken samen met Mike en Stef. Een super mooi strand en relaxte sfeer. Hier heb ik Sam ontmoet, een amerikaanse die 2 jaar op Samoa gewerkt had en er ook nog een Samoaanse vriend aan over had gehouden: 'Tele'. Met nog 4 engelse jongens een avond drankjes zitten doen. Wat eindigde in een nachtelijke zwem met zijn allen. Verder lekker op het strand. Maandags met de Engelse jongens de bus weer in terug naar Apia. De bus is een hele ervaring, gemaakt van hout open en met heel veel kleuren en muziek uit de speakers. Stampensvol en iedereen neemt allemaal goederen mee die her en der worden afgeleverd of opgepikt. Ze doen niet echt aan busstops maar pikken gewoon random mensen op aan de kant van de weg. Dagje in Apia rondgelopen en de volgende dag door naar Savaii(het andere eiland van Samoa) Eerste nachtje bij een hele lieve familie, mensen zijn hier ontzettend aardig, onthouden altijd je naam en komen steeds vragen of alles goed gaat en of je nog iets nodig hebt. De volgende dag met een Duitste en Zwitserse jongen een auto gehuurd. Zij waren al een tijdje samen aan het reizen, dus dacht dat zit wel snor, maar nee ze kregen ruzie, donders gezellig. Maar agh toch een groot gedeelte van het eiland kunnen zien, onder andere de 'Blowholes' waarbij de oceaan golven de rotsen in drukt, waarbij lucht en water met een gigantische kracht uit gaten in de rotsen spuit. Een oud samoaans mannetje liep rond met kokosnoten, dus voor een paar Tala wat kokosnoten gekocht om die op het juiste moment in de blowholes te gooien en ze 40 meter de lucht in te zien vliegen. Moest wel zorgen dat je op tijd weer weg was voordat een golf je te pakken had. Nog 2 nachten in Beach Fale aan de Zuidkust verbleven, waar heel veel samoaanse kinderen rondliepen die m'n nagellak heel mooi vonden. Voordat ik het wist zat ik de nagels van het gehele dorp roze te lakken, waarbij ik er nog altijd niet zeker van ben of ik nou ook per ongeluk een jongetje roze heb gelakt, hij/zij keek me wel een beetje angstig aan. Zaterdags terug naar Upolo(eerste eiland) waar ik in Apia weer met Sam en Tele meette. Nathan een NZ'er die ik op Savaii had ontmoet, kwam 's avonds ook mee naar de club. Een hele ervaring zo'n Samoaanse club, dansen gaat er nogal wild aan toe en ik was erg blij dat ik de jongens bij me had. Toch onwijs naar mijn zin gehad, al eindige de avond nogal ingewikkeld. Aangezien Tele (sam's vriend) ineens Nathan (die op jongens valt) ging versieren, waar Sam uiteraard niet heel blij mee was. Nogal een bizarre situatie waar ik ineens middenin zat , met veel drama, maar najah weer een verhaal. Biseksualiteit en travestieten blijkt ook nogal vaak voor te komen in Samoa. De volgende dag terug met z'n 3'en terug naar Lalomanu beach fales (waar tele werkt) om daar m'n laatste dagen op het strand te liggen. Om vervolgens weer terug te vliegen naar Auckland. Samoa krijgt van mij een 9, ontzettend mooi, lieve mensen, een bijzondere andere cultuur en onwijs lekker eten. Nu dus in Auckland wachten op mijn vlucht naar huis. Time to go home!
Feiten en weetjes NZ:
- Elke zin word geeindigd met "Sweet-as Bro!
- Er lopen ongekend veel schapen rond, zwarte schapen, bruine schapen, witte schapen, witte schapen met zwarte poten, witte schapen met een bruin hoofd, zwarte schapen met witte oren enz. enz.
- Er lopen ook ongekend veel koeien rond
- Elke berg/meer is nog mooier dan de ander
- Het het schoonste land is wat ik ooit gezien heb, ik ben geen enkel stukje afval tegengekomen. Mensen rapen zelfs altijd het kontje van hun sigaret op.
Feiten en weetjes Samoa:
- Er ongekend veel straathonden zijn
- er maar 1 stad is, de rest dorpjes van 10 huizen
- Alles op z'n Samoaans gaat, vooral zonder haast dus
- Samoanen de gehele dag door eten en allemaal ernstig overgewicht hebben
- Vissen op de vismarkt gewoon op tafel liggen (niks koeling of ijs)
Zo dat was het wel weer, er zijn natuurlijk nog veel meer verhalen maar die zal ik gewoon vertellen. Thuis zal ik ook weer is wat meer foto's gaan uploaden, dat duurt hier elke keer uren.
Liefs Anne
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[title] => Fa'afetai Samoa!
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3 maart vlogen we om 20 uur in de avond met Air New Zealand naar Apia op het eiland Upolu, de hoofstad van Samoa..Hoofdstad betekent hier een stadje kleiner dan Schiedam..Bear Grills gaf ons veiligheidsinstructies via een super cool filmpje..Waard om te googlen trouwens..Om 1 uur in de morgen landden we in Apia..Resultaat : Rest van de nacht op het vliegveld met een musquitocoil brandende op de stoep om de nacht uit te zitten..Niet wetende trouwens dat we alle nachten vanaf dan buiten zouden doorbrengen..Alles was dicht op het vliegveld, en via de pijp van ons musquitonet wisten we een map van Samoa te ritselen door de gaten van the tourism office..Je kan dus concluderen dat we goed waren voorbereid..not..
De eerste lichtstralen van een nieuwe morgen schenen op mijn gezicht, aangenaam kan ik je zeggen wanneer je hierop wacht! Om 6 uur in de morgen ging de eerste ferry naar het eiland naast Upolu, Savaii..Eenmaal aangekomen in Savaii kwam de zon door en begonnen we te lopen..Ik nog steeds in mijn lange broek en lange mouwen..Ik had binnen no time mijn eigen prive zwembad om me heen! Ons doel was Menasi, in het noorden van Savaii..Na een stuk te hebben gelopen, concludeerden we dat Menasi te voet wat te ver was, maar wanneer je tussen de locals wandelt en de schoolgaande kinderen, kun je je pas echt plaatsen in het land..
Savaii heeft maar een weg langs de kust van het eiland, dus echt moeilijk is het niet..De local bussen overigens hebben hun eigen timetable : Witte bussen, gele bussen, groene bussen..Welke bus gaat naar Menase??? Na een politieagent te hebben aangesproken, bleek het de groene bus te zijn, die over een uur zou arriveren..Geen busstops hier, geen tijden..Het is echt letterlijk hop on and hop af..De witte bus stopte voor onze neus met zijn voorkant in de richting waar wij heen wilden..Op dat moment spring je in de bus en zie je wel waar die stopt..En ja, halverwege werden we eruit geknikkerd, en begonnen we weer te lopen totdat ergens de groene bus ons zou passeren..Na een flinke tocht kwam daar aan de horizon ons lichtpuntje : De groene bus!
Aangekomen in Menase hadden we ons tegoed gedaan aan een koud biertje en een Fale op het strand : Dit is een traditioneel Samoan open hutje om terug te komen op het buiten slapen..Heerlijk!!! Prima snorkelen hier, en na wat vinnen te hebben gespot aan het wateroppervlakte zelfs nog getracht wat haaien te spotten..tevergeefs, want met low tide ligt het koraal vrijwel aan de oppervlakte, en daar wil je je buikje niet aan schaven ;) In Samoa breken alle golven vrij ver van de kust, wat betekent dat zich daar een rif bevindt..Echt grote vissen komen dus niet achter de wavebreak..Wat een geruststelling!
De Fale’s behoren min-of meer aan een familie..Je eet dus een soort van met de familie..Terwijl je je tegoed doet aan alles wat hier gefrituurd wordt, wordt ondertussen een varkentje of twee in de achtertuin geslacht..Dan verschijnt er een jongen van een jaar of 17 met een groot mes..Het went snel hier..De verhalen die de ronde gaan zijn zo goed om naar te luisteren! Ze vertellen alles met een glimlach en zijn onwijs open..Zo hebben we in het zuiden van Upolu op 2 plekken ook in een Fale geslapen, wat in 2009 door een Tsunami was getroffen ; Wij verbleven hier als enige bij 2 families die het vol hebben meegemaakt, en de enige 2 families waren die het allemaal hadden overleefd..Soort van instinct bij het uitkiezen ervan? Toen de verhalen ter tafel kwamen, kreeg ik best kippenvel..
Ik citeer : ‘De aardbeving was rond 6.45 uur in de morgen en was vrij heftig, nog geen 10 minuten later kwam de golf..We moesten de toeristen wakker maken, en wisten toen de zee zich terug trok dat de golf zou komen’ We renden allemaal de heuvel op, en ik hield me vast aan een palmboom..We zagen later mensen voorbij drijven, die we uit het water hebben gehaald om ze te identificeren..De buren hebben hun twee kinderen van 3 en 5 nooit meer terug gezien’ *slik*Ik vroeg me af hoe deze mensen wisten wat er zou gebeuren (de golf), omdat ze zo geremote leven van de buitenwereld : ‘Mijn broer was 2 weken ervoor bij ons op bezoek en woont in New Zealand..Hij had op het nieuws een Tsunami gezien en vertelde wat er gebeurde. Zodoende keek ik naar de zee na de heftige aardschok en wist ik dat we zsm de heuvel op moesten rennen’
Ik heb die nacht slecht geslapen, wetende dat onze Fale op het strand stond..Voor het eerst voelde ik me wat gespannen en passeerden verschillende scenario’s mijn gedachten..
Ray en ik hebben hier zo geremote geleefd even samen in Samoa..Het strand voor onszelf, mooie snorkeltochtjes langs de kustlijn..Het koraal is zich nu weer langzaam aan het herstellen na de Tsunami..Het is bijzonder om dit zo weer te zien groeien..Vissen waren er genoeg, en sommige koraalbanken waren onaangetast en zo groot als een bus..Ik heb een lesje kokosnoot openen gehad hier, en dit werd onze dagelijkse snack..Het was echt even leven in paradijs..Echt paradijs, want Samoa is (nog) niet commercieel ingericht op toerisme en je hebt dus dagen dat je niemand ziet..
De cultuur is echt om over naar huis te schrijven zo bijzonder hoe deze mensen leven en worden groot gebracht :
- De palmboom wordt ook wel ‘the tree of life’ genoemd ; De wortels kun je gebruiken als medicijn, de stam om te bouwen..Let wel, de stam absorbeert water, dus een vlot is geen goed idee..De bladeren als vloer / dakbedekking, de schors van de kokosnoot is excellent om te ontvlammen, de kokosmelk om te drinken en de kokos zelf om te eten..
- De traditionele tattoo is origineel van onder de knie tot aan de buik..Je bent als Samoan vrij om dit te doen, maar als je ervoor kiest moet je het helemaal afmaken..Doe je dit niet, dan beledig je je familie..Familie is zo belangrijk in Samoa, dat sommige jongens besluiten uit het leven te stappen, omdat de tattooing zo pijnlijk schijnt te zijn en ze het dus niet mentaal en fysiek kunnen afmaken..Dit is de traditionele manier van tattooing..Wanneer je het wel helemaal afmaakt, toon je ultiem respect voor je familie..De tattoo is erg gedetailleerd en als je goed kijkt beeld het oa een speer uit, wat staat voor het vangen van vis, en dus het kunnen zorgen voor je familie..Ik vind de traditionele tattoo bij een samoan echt een vorm van art, prachtig!
- Mensen hebben hier in hun dorpen een rank. Adhv hoe je je leven leidt, voor je familie zorgt, de tattoo word je rank bepaald..Elk dorp heeft een ‘high chief’ en een ‘talking chief’. Eens per maand komen de mensen van het dorp samen in een open Fale voor een meeting. Iedereen heeft zijn eigen plek adhv zijn rank. Hier worden dingen besproken. Wanneer je bijv. Met een bier in het openbaar wordt gespot, wordt dit besproken..Dit is een taboe, ook voor de familie en zo kun je je rank voor de rest van je leven wel vergeten. Hoe hoger je rank in je leven, des te hoger je grafsteen is.
- Er wordt tegen kids nooit bijv. gezegd ‘ga weg bij het vuur’ Ze zijn vrij om te leren, en leren door te observeren. Er wordt niks uitgelegd, en als je mee wilt gaan vissen, dang a je mee en kijk je hoe je vader het doet..Je hebt dus als kind een keuze hoe je je ontwikkeld en zorg kan dragen voor je familie, en dus je rank in life..
Al met al is Samoa een wereld apart en een parel in the south pacific. Ik heb een andere kant van leven hier gezien, en hoe mensen in hun dorp / families voor elkaar zorgen met alle respect. Een hele mooie en vooral positieve ervaring!
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[title] => Mijn laatste week in Samoa
[message] => Hallooo allemaal,
Vandaag waarschijnlijk de laatste update over mijn verblijf in Samoa, want aankomende zondag zit ik alweer in het vliegtuig naar Hawaï! De tijd gaat nu ineens zo snel! Dat betekent ook dat mijn laatste week bij Fiamalamalama is aangebroken. Aan de ene kant wil ik graag weer naar huis, maar aan de andere kant ga ik de kinderen en de medewerkers heel erg missen. Ik ben daar toch vijf dagen per week, zeven weken lang aan het werk geweest. Ondertussen voel ik mij dan ook helemaal thuis op deze school en ik denk dat ik het vrijdag heel moeilijk ga krijgen met het afscheid nemen. De kinderen zijn aan mij gewend geraakt en ik heb het heel gezellig met de leraressen. De kleine kinderen zoeken veel contact met mij en een aantal van hen willen dan ook maar al te graag knuffelen. Maar ook de oudere kinderen die in het begin eigenlijk geen contact met mij zochten, stellen zich nu meer open naar mij toe. Ze durven eindelijk dingen te vragen en zijn enthousiast tijdens activiteiten waar ik aan meedoe. Een aantal kinderen zijn zo behulpzaam, dat ik er soms gewoon ongemakkelijk van word. Zo was er vorige week een jongen die mijn spullen wilde dragen en mijn tas ging helpen inpakken. Het is hier voor de oudere kinderen heel normaal om zo zorgzaam te zijn, aangezien zij ook voor de jongere kinderen op school zorgen en thuis ook voor jongere broertjes/ zusjes.
Soms blijven dingen mij hier verbazen. De afgelopen tijd heb ik een aantal keer rode limonade meegenomen in plaats van water. Jullie willen niet weten hoeveel vragen ik daarover krijg! "What is that?!" vroegen veel kinderen. En niet alleen de kinderen, maar ook de leraressen! Je zou denken dat het heel normaal is.. Ik vertelde dan keer op keer dat het gewoon water is met een smaakje, waardoor het water bijvoorbeeld rood wordt! Maar hier is dat blijkbaar heel gek.
De afgelopen twee weken heb ik samen met de kinderen tijdens de één op één sessies hard geoefend met het spelen van cricket en voetbal voor het tournement van de Special Olympics. Daarnaast was mij gevraagd om de voeten van alle kinderen te checken. De dagen voor het tournement ben ik hier dan ook druk mee bezig geweest. Zo heb ik alle voeten opgemeten en heb ik de voeten gecontroleerd op verwondingen etc. Soms schrok ik écht van de voeten die ik zag. Zoveel eelt, kloven, wondjes en beschadigde nagels.. Ook al bij de jonge kinderen! De wegen zijn hier slecht en overal liggen stenen, rotsen en troep. Dan moet je je dus bedenken dat hier veel kinderen op blote voeten lopen! Gelukkig dragen ook een groot deel van de kinderen slippers, maar schoenen hebben ze maar zelden aan. Dus ik begrijp ook best goed hoe die voeten er zó uit komen te zien.
Het tournement zou 19 mei plaatsvinden, maar werd vanwege de vele regenval uitgesteld naar de week erna, omdat het gras niet veilig genoeg was om op te spelen. Het tournement ging 24 mei, ondanks dat er ook deze nacht weer heel veel regen was gevallen, gelukkig wel door. Helaas werd er uiteindelijk alleen cricket gespeeld en konden alleen de oudere kinderen hieraan meedoen. De kinderen hebben onwijs goed hun best gedaan en hebben het enorm naar hun zin gehad. En daarbij werd het uiteindelijk toch nog heel mooi weer.
Daarnaast was deze dag voor mij een extra bijzondere dag, omdat mijn vader 50 jaar was geworden. Het grote tijdsverschil van 11 uur blijft dan toch een beetje gek. Op het moment dat ik wakker werd, was m'n vader in Nederland nog niet jarig. Om 11.00 Samoaanse tijd kon ik hem pas écht feliciteren. Gelukkig hebben we 's avonds nog wel even kunnen videobellen. Ook heb ik mijn moeder de volgende ochtend even kunnen zien. Dit was heel fijn na zes weken!
Ondanks dat het regenseizoen hier in Samoa al voorbij is, heeft het de afgelopen weken enorm veel geregend en heb ik helaas niet veel zon gezien. Soms waren er zelfs kleine overstromingen voor de klaslokalen. Gelukkig is het weer nu een stuk beter!
Het weekend van moederdag had ik een lang weekend. Maandag was een officiële vrije dag, omdat zondag moederdag was (bij elke scheet die je hier laat ben je al vrij.. Te gek voor woorden eigenlijk!) Moederdag wordt hier wel veel uitgebreider gevierd dan in Nederland. De dagen voor moederdag was dit al te merken in de supermarkten. De dochter van onze gastmoeder kwam dat weekend met twee hele grote pakketten met eten aan. Eén voor haar moeder en de andere voor haar schoonmoeder. Op moederdag zelf ben ik voor het eerst met de familie meegegaan naar de kerk. Het was een lange zit en ik verstond er niets van, maar het was een mooie ervaring! Vooral het moment dat de snoepkransen werden uitgedeeld. Alle moeders kregen snoepkransen om hun nek, waarna sommige moeders helemaal vol hingen.
De afgelopen weekenden ben ik naar een aantal mooie stranden geweest met een paar andere vrijwilligers. Zo zijn we naar Lalomanu beach en Return to Paradise geweest. Zeker Return to Paradise was, zoals de naam al zegt, écht een paradijsje! Een wit strand, heldere blauwe zee en palmbomen.. Wat wil je dan nog meer?! Voor de mensen die de film 'Return to paradise' kennen.. Deze film is hier écht opgenomen!
Naast de school waar ik werk, ben ik vorige week ook begonnen bij de 'Home for the elderly'. Helaas is daar op dit moment geen fysiotherapeut aanwezig, waardoor ze alle hulp goed kunnen gebruiken, ook al zijn het maar een paar uurtjes die ik daar werk. Onder begeleiding van twee nonnen help ik waar nodig is.
Vorige week heb ik een heel gezellig etentje gehad bij een 65-jarige Japanse vrijwilliger van de school waar ik werk. Samen met nog zes andere Japanners heb ik heerlijk gegeten en heb ik geleerd hoe ik Soba (Japanse noedels) met stokjes moet opslurpen!
Afgelopen weekend ben ik samen met mijn reisgenoot Simone naar Savai'i geweest. Dit is een ander eiland van West-Samoa (wij verblijven op Upolu). Vanwege Independence day hadden we een lang weekend en konden we dus vier dagen naar Savai'i toe. We zijn het hele eiland rond geweest en hebben op drie verschillende plekken geslapen. Het meest bijzondere vond ik toch echt het moment van wakker worden.. Je stapt je fale uit en je bent gelijk op een wit strand! Van dit soort momenten geniet ik dan ook extra.
Voor ik het weet ben ik weer thuis en begint het normale leven weer. Ik laat jullie weten wanneer ik veilig op Hawaï ben aangekomen.
Groetjes vanuit de andere kant van de wereld!!
Liefs, Shanice
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[title] => Alweer 3 weken in Samoa
[message] => Talofa allemaal!
Ik ben nu alweer drie weken in Samoa! Morgen begint mijn derde week op de school Aoga Fiamalamalama, waar ik werk als fysiotherapeut. Vanaf mijn gastgezin is het zo’n 5 minuten met de taxi, dus gelukkig hoef ik niet ver te reizen. De eerste week was vooral observeren. Belangrijk was om het personeel en de kinderen goed te leren kennen en te wennen aan de dagelijkse routine op de school. De school start om 08.30 en om 13.00 gaan de kinderen met de schoolbus naar huis. Dit is een korte dag, maar met deze warmte is dat lang genoeg. Zeker als je continue actief bezig bent.
'S ochtends starten de kinderen met zingen en bidden. Vervolgens doen we met z'n allen ochtendgymnastiek en dansen we op muziek. Daarna gaan alle kinderen naar hun eigen klas toe en beginnen de lessen. Voor mij beginnen dan de één op één sessies met de kinderen. Dit doe ik samen met een Samoaanse dove man die fysiotherapeut/ergotherapeut is (ik denk dat er in Samoa geen onderscheid wordt gemaakt tussen deze twee beroepen). In totaal zitten er 36 kinderen op de school. Daarvan heb ik tot nu toe 10 kinderen gezien die therapie krijgen. Per dag behandelen we ongeveer 5-7 kinderen, waarvan ik standaard een aantal kinderen elke dag terugzie (als ze aanwezig zijn). Als er een kind afwezig is, wordt er met een ander kind die tijd heeft gewerkt. Maar lang niet alle kinderen krijgen dus therapie (niet alle kinderen hebben daar dan ook een indicatie voor). Met ieder kind wordt er ongeveer een kwartier gewerkt. De kinderen zijn vooral mentaal beperkt. Zo werk ik met kinderen met het syndroom van Down, autisme en ADHD.
Om 09.30 is 'morning tea'. Alle kinderen eten dan iets wat ze van huis hebben meegekregen. Je ziet veel ongezond voedsel, zoals: hotdogs, chips en donuts. Maar sommige kinderen krijgen ook gewoon een heel groot stuk wit droog brood mee. Ik weet niet of dit hun ontbijt is of gewoon een 'tussendoortje', maar ik heb het vermoeden dat het hun ontbijt is. Ik moet er zelf niet aan denken om 's ochtends aan een hotdog te zitten.
Na de 'morning tea' ga ik weer verder met de één op één sessies. Om 12.00 is het dan lunchtijd. De school zorgt iedere middag voor een 'gezonde' lunch, dat meestal bestaat uit soep met stukken kip (inclusief bot en vet), gekookte bananen, pompoen en wat andere groenten. Na de lunch gaan de oudste kinderen (meerendeels de jongens) alles opruimen en schoonmaken. De jongste kinderen zingen nog wat liedjes, waarbij er soms gedanst wordt. Tot slot wordt er nog gebeden. Om 13.00 staat de schoolbus klaar en worden we allemaal thuisgebracht. Ik word dan afgezet bij de office van Projects Abroad, waar ik eventueel wat voor- of nabereiding kan doen. Ook zit je daar gewoon even lekker in de airco.
Elke woensdag is het sportdag op de school. De kinderen zijn dan de hele ochtend bezig met sport. Als lunch krijgen we dan 'koko rice' (cacaosoep met rijst). Ook worden de kinderen voorbereid op het tournement van de Special Olympics op 19 mei. Zo waren er deze week twee mannen die cricket kwamen uitleggen en een Japanse ergotherapeute (ook een vrijwilliger). Zij is hier voor twee jaar en vroeg mij om haar te helpen bij het tournement. Dus dat wordt een super leuke uitdaging!
Afgelopen vrijdag hebben we op de school een brandoefening gehad. Wat mij toch wel verbaasde, omdat het allemaal heel open is. Ik moest er ook eigenlijk een beetje om lachen! Iemand loopt rond met een bel, waar je met de hand een alarm mee laat afgaan. Alle kinderen moeten dan zo snel mogelijk naar een afgesproken plek rennen. Je zou denken dat een brandoefening wordt gedaan om een beetje structuur te brengen in de eventuele chaos die er is, maar het was alles behalve gestructureerd! De meeste kinderen kwamen gewoon als een gek aanrennen op de afgesproken plek.
In de weekenden zijn we vrij en kun je dus je eigen gang gaan. Zo zijn we het eerste weekend met een aantal vrijwilligers naar de Fuipisia waterfall en naar de To-Sua Ocean Trench geweest. Bovenop de 55 meter hoge waterval hadden we echt een prachtig uitzicht! Even vond ik het heel onwerkelijk dat IK daar gewoon stond. Verder zijn we de afgelopen twee weekenden met een aantal vrijwilligers naar een heel mooi resort gegaan. Naast een groot zwembad is daar ook een privé strandje. Vandaag ben ik daar een rondje wezen kayakken. Ik kan nu ook eindelijk zeggen dat ik een klein beetje ben verkleurd (aangezien ik doordeweeks in een lange broek loop en mijn schouders bedekt moeten zijn op de school).
Elke woensdag hebben we met de andere vrijwilligers een Social. Deze week hebben we op de office de film Moana gekeken.
Zo, nu zijn jullie weer een beetje op de hoogte van wat er hier in Samoa allemaal gebeurd.
Tot de volgende blog!
Liefs Shanice
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[title] => Samoa dag 3
[message] => 19/04/2017
Hallo allemaal!
Mijn project begint pas volgende week maandag en daarom ga ik de komende 3 dagen naar een school waar kinderen in hun vakantie kunnen verblijven. Vandaag was mijn eerste dag, dus erg spannend!
Ik was samen met 3 andere vrijwilligers (Nederlands, Japans en Australisch) en 2 coördinatoren van Projects Abroad die ons op gang hielpen. Er waren vandaag zo'n 25 à 30 kinderen van rond de 12 jaar.
Elke ochtend beginnen ze met bidden en zingen ze een lied. Na het ochtendritueel hebben wij onszelf in onze eigen taal voorgesteld, waarna we dit vertaalden in het Engels. Daarna hebben we een soort warming-up gedaan met wat ademhaling- en stretch oefeningen.
We begonnen de dag met een Engelse les. De Engelse taal is hier van groot belang, omdat veel Samoaanse kinderen geen/beperkt Engels spreken en schrijven. Na deze les zijn we gaan frisbeeën en hebben we teams gemaakt voor het volleyballen. Het viel me op dat veel kinderen heel goed waren in volleybal! Ik moest zelf even inkomen, maar uiteindelijk moedigden de kinderen mij aan om te serveren (dat ging namelijk wel goed haha).
Rond half 12 gingen we lunchen. Tijdens de lunch heb ik een meisje wat Nederlandse woorden geleerd en zij leerde mij wat Samoaanse woorden. Ze moest heel hard lachen om de Nederlandse woorden en mijn uitspraak in het Samoaans.
Na de pauze hebben we een spelletje gedaan met namen. Ik werd 2e en iedereen was super enthousiast! Ten slotte moesten de kinderen 15 minuten een boekje lezen, waarna ze een aantal zinnen uit het boekje moesten overnemen. Op deze manier oefenden ze met het schrijven. Ik liep rond en hielp waar nodig was. Nadat alle kinderen een stuk geschreven hadden, moest iedereen het voor de groep voorlezen. Dan merk je pas hoeveel kinderen het Engels moeilijk vinden en het eng vinden om voor een groep te staan. Het belangrijkste was dat iedereen het probeerde en dat de kinderen op deze manier meer zelfvertrouwen krijgen, omdat ze dat niet leren tijdens de lessen op school.
Toen ik vanmorgen te horen kreeg dat we o.a. Engelse les moesten gaan geven, vond ik het heel spannend! Uiteindelijk viel het reuze mee en was het een onwijs leuke, energieke dag. Het is super leuk om te zien hoe snel je wordt opgenomen in zo'n groep en hoeveel respect de kinderen voor je hebben. Één meisje bedankte me aan het einde van de dag voor mijn hulp en een ander meisje vroeg of ik morgen weer zou komen. Hieraan merk je dat ze het echt naar hun zin hebben gehad en je hulp waarderen. Ze zijn dan ook oprecht geïnteresseerd in mijn taal, naar mijn familie en waar ik verblijf.
Tot slot moesten we met de vrijwilligers de volgende dag gaan voorbereiden. Morgen krijgen ze rekenles en gaan we een stukje kunstzinnige vorming doen!
Liefs Shanice
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[message] => [Hallo allemaal! Ik loop een beetje achter met mijn blogs, maar toch wil ik dat jullie de eerste week mee kunnen lezen vanwege de vele indrukken die ik hier heb opgedaan. Daarom zal ik meerdere blogs achter elkaar posten.]
18/04/2017
Malo!
Vandaag hebben we als nieuwe vrijwilligers onze introductie gehad. We zijn naar Samoa cultural village in de stad gegaan, waar we traditionele demonstraties te zien kregen.
We hebben als eerste geleerd om met een aantal palmbladeren ons eigen bordje te vlechten, waar we aan het einde van de dag traditioneel eten op geserveerd kregen. Het vlechten was een stuk moeilijker dan ik had verwacht! Na wat uitleg over de Samoaanse cultuur werd ons laten zien hoe het traditionele eten 'taro' hier wordt gemaakt. Daarna kregen we te zien hoe een man op de traditionele manier werd getatoeëerd. Heel bizar om dit proces van zo dichtbij mee te mogen maken, omdat het er heel heftig uitziet. Het is niet alleen heel pijnlijk voor de man, maar ook heel oncomfortabel en super warm vanwege de hoge temperaturen hier. Het tatoeëren is in Samoa een heel proces. Als Samoaan kun je dit proces dan ook niet zomaar afbreken, want je wordt dan beschouwd als dé lafaard van de familie. Na het tatoeëren kregen we stap voor stap te zien hoe een vrouw 'siapo' en 'tapa' maakte (dit is een soort kunstwerk, maar kan ook gebruikt worden als traditionele kledij).
De dag in cultural village eindigde met een traditionele dans van zowel de mannen als van de vrouwen. Als ik dit zou moeten omschrijven, zou ik zeggen: vrolijk, energiek en intens! Vooral de dans van de mannen!
Na deze indrukwekkende culturele ervaring zijn we door de stad gaan lopen en kregen we de belangrijkste hotspots te zien.
Tot de volgende blog!
Liefs Shanice
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Talofa lava! Hallo allemaal!
Na een reis van 31 uur ben ik vandaag samen met mijn reisgenootje om 5.15 lokale tijd aangekomen in het verre Samoa. Buiten de luchthaven stond een vrouw ons op te wachten die ons meenam in een taxi naar ons gastgezin. De rit zou ongeveer 50 minuten gaan duren. Tijdens de taxirit keek ik mijn ogen uit! Ik besefde nog niet zo goed dat ik gewoon aan de andere kant van de wereld zit. Enerzijds prachtige natuur, anderzijds veel armoede in het gebied waar we doorheen reden. Armoedige huisjes en mensen die gewoon buiten sliepen. Opvallend was wel dat iedereen rond 6.30 lokale tijd al wakker was en buiten op straat zat. Naarmate we meer naar de stad reden, zag je minder armoede. Ze rijden hier aan de linkerkant van de weg, dus dat was even wennen!
Eenmaal aangekomen bij het huis, bleek er niemand thuis te zijn. Onze gastmoeder zat nog op een ander eiland i.v.m. paasweekend. Daarom werden we naar Rita's lodge gebracht. Daar konden we even bijkomen van onze reis, konden we wat eten en kregen we een kamer waar we even konden slapen.
Begin van de middag gingen we met één van onze coördinators naar de stad om wat formele zaken op de office door te nemen. Er werd ons gelijk duidelijk gemaakt dat we in Samoa zijn en dat we hier moeten relaxen. Geen gehaast en te laat komen is hier normaal! Het is hier dan ook veel te warm om je druk te maken (zo rond de 34 graden).
Daarna zijn we gaan lunchen. Ook hier wordt Pasen gevierd, dus alles was gesloten, behalve de MC Donalds haha! We hebben onze hamburger wel met een heel mooi uitzicht aan zee met palmbomen gegeten. Daarna zijn we even gaan zwemmen bij een strandje om wat af te koelen.
Om 17.30 gingen we naar ons gastgezin voor onze eerste ontmoeting. We kregen een heel hartelijk welkom van onze gastmoeder en werden naar onze kamer gebracht (een apart huisje in de tuin). We slapen daar met z'n drieën (mijn reisgenootje, een Belgisch meisje en ik). Daarna kregen we een rondleiding door het huis van onze gastmoeder.
's Avonds hebben we met het hele gezin gezamenlijk gegeten. Hier in Samoa leeft de hele familie gezamenlijk in één huis om voor elkaar te kunnen zorgen en heerst er een hiërarchie. Zo eten normaal eerst de ouderen en daarna pas de kinderen. Na het eten zijn we naar ons huisje gegaan en rond 23.00 zijn we gaan slapen.
Liefs Shanice
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[message] => Na behoorlijk wat vliegen ben ik in Apia aangekomen op Samoa. De chauffeur had heel veel te vertellen onderweg, was niet af te stoppen, maar was gelukkig wel amusant. Na een heet nachtje, ondanks de airco, ben ik op zoek gegaan naar vervoer. Het is hier warm en vochtig en dan is een eigen auto wel zo prettig.
Is gelukt. Beetje louche tent en een gare auto. Het enige dat werkt is de airconditioning...
Het eiland is erg mooi! Prachtige baaien en helder water. Doe er een foto bij van het uitzicht 's morgens vroeg vanuit mijn slaapkamer. Eigenlijk een soort houten podiumpje aan het strand. Gelukkig wel met matras en klamboe!
Ik hou het kort want wifi is hier onbetaalbaar!
Morgen met de pont naar het buureiland Savai'i. Dat is groter en nog verlatener...
PS: ik zit niet op American Samoa, zoals de kaart het volgens mij aangeeft, maar ten westen daarvan.
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[title] => A Dutch girl in Samoa: CH 7 ‘Count down’
[message] => Hello Everybody,
Already nearly a month has been passed since my last update, so time for a new one. I haven’t done anything much special lately, so that’s why I didn’t had anything to report so soon.
Also this week is my last week at my internship placements and I have/want some things to do before I go to Fiji on holiday next week. Now I am busy and don’t have time to write my weblog. I can’t go too far into details in this update, but I will write more in my next update. This one will be the last one and I will be home again! I can’t believe it is almost finished. Let the count down begin.
Sunday, the 31st of May 2015 at 06.18am Annick and I were both awakened by an earthquake. Now don’t be alarmed, while it was just a medium earthquake. The earthquake measured a 5,8 on the scale of Richter. Quite the same as last time. The bed and walls were moving. An earthquake feels like one wrinkle in the water when a drop just have fallen into it. You feel the earth coming, getting stronger and then going again. First your bed begins to shake a little bit, then it begins to shake a bit harder, followed by shaking of the walls, this continues for approximately 10 seconds and finally the shaking stops gradually. For Annick this was her first earthquake she ever felt. For me it was the fifth and the fourth in Samoa. Still when it happened I was on my guard and ready to go under the desk or go outside. And on Tuesday, the 9th of June at 4 o’clock in the early morning there was another earthquake. This time it had a magnitude of 5,3 on the scale of Richter. Also with this one the walls shook a bit. It is probably the time for earthquakes or something, because there was another one on Friday, the 12th of June at 00.07 in the middle of the night. This one had a magnitude of 6. However you also need to put the depth and centre in account
I have been on the Samoan television a couple of times. The first time I was one of the audience at the male model show. The second time was during Eastern mass. Another time was at the closing ceremony of a workshop and then I was on television during Independence Day. Before I go further on independence day, here a short Samoan history lesson. Samoa was once occupied by Germany around the first World War and then by New Zealand. Samoa gained its independence on the 1st of January 1962 and the first of the Pacific Islands. It is now celebrated at the 1st of June. That day I to get up very early. That is five in the morning. There was a speech and then marching from 6 till around 8 o’clock. There were all kind of schools and organisations etc. gathered on the field next to the court house. I was with the Loto Taumafai School in the red puletasi uniform. After some speeches and hoisting the Samoan flag we started to march. Because we had some disabled people, we were the first people who marched (or rather walked) through the VIP tent, passing the prime minister and head of state and its wife. I still don’t know if it’s one person or that the prime minister and head of state are two persons. Because I don’t know the face I was not who is who. So but yeah that was the marching. For me marching means walking some distance, but that was not the case. It was just walking past the high chiefs of the country and that’s it. The reason it takes so long, is because there are so many schools and organisations. I was very glad we were the first ones, because it started to pouring rain right after we’ve been through the VIP tent. All the staff and students quickly went into the vans and cars that stood next to the field. Everyone got some breakfast (hotdog) and the children were being brought home immediately. It was too bad that it rained that morning. While in the afternoon the sun began to show itself. After the marching someone took me home and I went straight to bed. After 2 hours of sleep I went back to the court house again. There was dancing and singing from several villages. It was nice to watch it. This also took about 2 hours and in the end I got back home again. My host family just stayed home and watched everything on television. They of course have experienced it many times before now. However for me it’s special and I wanted to be there and experience it. The other volunteers were here and there that day.
As I said before, I didn’t do anything spectacular last few weeks. The Saturdays (on Sunday everything is closed) were always rainy. So Annick and I just been to Palolo Deep Marine Reserve twice. This beach is the closest to Apia and it has such nice coral and many fish. There are some small black fish who stare at you and even bite sometimes. It luckily doesn’t hurt that much. The other time I went there was also with Louise and Kristine. We only talked then. That day was a Saturday, two days before Independence Day. That Saturday was also cloudy, but no rain. In the afternoon was a Fautasi race. A fautasi is a cano with around 45 persons in it. The race took 2 hours out in the sea and the last few minutes was at Apia itself. They finished at the wharf. It was good to something cultural.
Saturday and Sunday 6 and 7th of June me and some other volunteers went to Namu’a island. That weekend was absolutely perfect. We saw turtles from the small motorboat that took us to the Island, the weather was great (got more tanned) and we were with a nice group. I walked around the Island during low tide, climbed the hill and snorkelled.
The weekend after that I and some (other) volunteers went to Lalomanu. I didn’t really like this weekend. The fiafia show on Saturday evening was nice though. Afterwards few got drunk, weather wasn’t that nice, couldn’t do very much and I felt tired. Not really a nice last whole weekend in Samoa unfortunately.
Talking about rainy weather. Again it rained on a Saturday, when everything is open. Why oh why? It supposed to be ‘dry’ season. However, it is a bit colder. Especially during the evenings. I sometimes even have to wear a vest. It is also a bit less humid.
At school everything goes well. I did my two workshops, which was a success. I did some observation in class and give some tips to the teachers.
The current volunteers at this moment are Annick from Luxembourg, Florian from France, Tobias from Holland, Kristine from Norway, Helen and Sophie (mother and 7-year-old daughter) from New Zealand, Jessica and Claire from Australia and Olivia from America. The group is getting slowly bigger now, with more people coming in July.
Do not forget to check my Facebook page ‘Psychologist Projects Abroad Samoa’ (http://facebook.com/psychologistsamoa) for photos and videos.
Lots of love from Samoa!
Naomi
For the non-Dutch readers: if you want to read my previous updates. I have translated the Dutch words on this site to English in my first update. You will find it on the left side of this update at ‘reisverslagen’ [= travel blogs] (below the photo of the beach). Next click on ‘new adventure awaits’, (name of my first update). Or you can click on ‘vorige bericht’ [= previous blog] below this update until you get to the first update.
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This month is the fourth month and entering the 16th week I am here. I arrived the end of January and will leave at the 2nd of July. So counting down from now it is about seven and a half week until my adventure ends and I go back home! Also I can take the last one and a half week off. This means my time at the school and hospital will be 6 weeks. My journey back home begins when I leave Apia Faleolo Airport on Thursday, 2nd of July at 06.15h. I will fly via Sydney and Singapore to Amsterdam Schiphol Airport. On Friday, 3rd of July at 07.15h I will be on Dutch grounds again.
So now that everyone knows when I will be back, let’s focus on the present again. Annick and I went to a see a Baha’i temple at the 25th of April. There are only eight Baha’i Houses of Worship in the world. One of these Baha’i temples is here in Samoa. In Tiapapata. The others are in Chicago (USA), Panama city (Panama), Santiago (Chili), Kampala (Uganda), New Delhi (India), Sydney (Australia), Frankfurt (Germany). I have never heard of the Baha’i religion, but now I know that it is established 1863 AD. originating from Persia. They believe in God and have nine principles. I found the temple itself not that beautiful, but the gardens surrounding the temple were very peaceful.
Next day we celebrated the birthday of Alana at the beach. There were many people, because there were also other family members and friends whose grandmother just passed away. Annick did not come. We drove about an hour before we reached the beach on the south side of the Island. Before Alana and the rest came with other cars, we decorated a fale and prepared lunch. Jacinta hired some fales for that day. We had a swim, lunch and blew out some candles. The weather that day was not that great unfortunately. It rained the last 2 hours when we were there. At that time I were in the warm ocean waters. I don’t experience this often, to be able to swim in the rain. The weather has still been the same ever since I got here. Humid, warm, sunny, cloudy or rain. The month May supposed to be the month where the dry season starts. It should be more agreeable, but I haven’t noticed any changes yet. Luckily, the temperature drops at night and up in the mountains is usually cooler. Also when it is raining, it is less hot.
The weekend from Friday, the 1st of May till Sunday, 3rd of May most of the volunteers and I went to Savai’i. This would be my third time that I go to this amazing Island. On Friday afternoon we got the two cars we hired for the weekend. We all arrived on time to catch the 16 o’clock ferry. The ferry took us in one hour to Savai’i. From the wharf it was around 30 till 45 minutes till we arrived at Janes Beach Fales. I drove the whole way, from Apia to the fales. I already have driven on the left side of the road in the UK and Ireland, but I have never driven with the steering wheel on the right side. Also the car was an automatic. Luckily, there is not much traffic outside Apia and not many roads. I brought all the people who were in my car safe to Savai’i. The other two days another volunteer drove the car. Because it was already dark when we arrived, we did nothing on Friday. We did a lot on Saturday however. The persons in each car went its own way. After breakfast we first went to visit the Saleaula lava field. The field was formed by the 1905-1911 eruption of Mount Matavanu. It covers around 76 square kilometres of northern and north eastern Savai’i and was one of the biggest eruptions of the 20th century. You can see a church at the site where the lave went. After walking around on the lave we got back on the road and drove to the next sighting. Less than 15 minutes away is the Peapea Cave. Also here you have to pay to visit, like anywhere else in Samoa. Peapea is a kind of black bird that lives here. We saw a few of them at the cave flying around. You could walk a little bit into the cave. A Samoan guided us and gave us some flashlights, while it was pitch black in there. When we got out of the cave again we drove to the rainforest on the north western side of the Island. There we did the canopy walk. You go high up the stairs and walk up a wooden hanging bridge many meters above the ground. For some it was fun, but for the most of us it was a bit scary. After the bridge you can go up higher via stairs that goes round a huge tree. From there you have a nice view of the forest. Next stop was Lovers Leap. This is just a nice view of some cliffs and you pay for the story that goes with it. On an information board was written: “A legend but a true story about an old blind woman and her daughter staying together with their family many years ago. The old lady’s anger after ignoring by their family at meal time to leave they came to the top of the mako with nothing else in mind but to jump down. The old woman picked up her daughter settled her tightly on her back before they jumped into the sea. On hitting the sea water the old woman suddenly changed into a turtle and her daughter into a shark. Ever since a turtle and a shark are often sighted as regular visitor appearing together in this very spot. Lovers Leap actually means the great love of an old blind woman to her daughter as they jumped down together.” We saw no turtle or shark, but we did see some more peapea birds. We took some pictures and got in the car again. Some volunteers hadn’t have seen the Blowholes yet, so we went there. Because I already have seen the blowholes, I did not take so many pictures as I did the first time. The experience wasn’t any less coming there for the second time. We wanted to go to some waterfalls and swim there, but it was raining unfortunately. We then decided to go to our next accommodation, which was at the family of one of the volunteers Samoan boyfriend. But before we arrived at the house we stopped at a black sand beach along the road to take some pictures. That was the last thing we did or saw that day. At the house we had a swim, shower, dinner and later on went to bed. Next day was a Sunday, so that means swimming, snorkelling, taking some more pictures and catch the ferry back to Apia.
While in Savai’i I learned from my father that I was in Saturday’s newspaper column. The PZC, local newspaper. The article is called ‘avonturier’ (adventurer). The first part of the column was about a Dutch girl in Nepal during the earthquake and then the article switch to me being in Samoa. My name isn’t mentioned, but I have been referred to in the article. A friend of my father writes columns and heard about me being on the other side of the world. I laughed when I read it. It was about being so far away and that there can be cyclones.
The 10th of May was also Mother’s day in Samoa. Mother’s day in Samoa means a special church service and a day off on Monday. I stayed at home that long weekend to experience Mother’s day with my host family and to take it easy. The mass dedicated to mothers on Sunday was almost the same as any other mass, except for a few things. The first was that the preacher talked about mothers. The second was that at the end of the mass, the mothers got an Ula (garland) made out of candy. The Samoans give or wear an Ula (made from flowers or candy) on special occasions. After the mass we went back home. The rest of the day they (family and friends) had a party (drinking, talking and music) in the fale. It felt almost the same as during Eastern. I am surprised about the amount of alcohol they are able to bear without having much food in their stomach. During the afternoon they only have some chips and salty bites. But it is also on other days and with other Samoans that are able to function without having any lunch. I am still surprised about this fact. I might be skinny, small or tiny (or whatever you may call it ;)), but my stomach is really protesting if I don’t eat something in the afternoon.
Now let’s see what else I can tell about Samoa. Ah yes, clothes. For example some women wear a Puletasi for work. It is hard to describe what Puletasi is. Well, I don’t really have to describe it, if I can show it. Because I have a Puletasi myself and will put the picture of it on my Facebook page. The Puletasi consist of two pieces. You have the kind of skirt/sarong called the Lavalava and a long kind of shirt for the upper body part. Furthermore, what I like about here is that the women (and even some men) and Fa’afafine put flowers in their hair. It is as we all know something typical Polynesian. I also like that is something typical in everyday life here. They use plastic as well as real flowers. I personally like the Aute flower (a red hibiscus flower). You see those flowers everywhere here. The girls here have furthermore such nice long black hair (also the typical Polynesian image we have) usually in a bun or braided. I furthermore noticed that there skin is very smooth. Not many have pimples or zits or whatever. It must be the warm humid air here, because even my own skin is better here than in the Netherlands. Back to the clothing, I almost forget about the shoes or rather the flip-flops. Almost everybody wears flip-flops everywhere and anywhere. You only wear shoes if you go exercising or if you require it for safety at work. The feet of the Samoans must be made of hard skin, because I see some Samoans just walk barefoot. I have seen children just walking barefooted on rocks or dead coral etc. Very impressive. Now I almost forget to tell what some men are wearing to work. They usually wear a black Lavalava with pockets and a shirt with Samoan prints on it.
Another typical Polynesian, our South Pacific, thing is the beach. Not just outside the water, but also inside the water is absolutely beautiful. Last Saturday (16th of May) my roommate Annick and I went to Piula Cave Pool. It’s half an hour with the bus. The water in the pool is fresh and cool. And in that pool are fish. Those are the biggest fish I’ve seen so far in Samoa. Because the water was very clear, you could see them swim around you. Truly amazing! The next day I saw some more fish, as I went to the Palolo Deep Marine Reserve in Apia. It was so hot that day and I really needed to have a swim to cool down. That place has such incredible coral and different kind of fish. I was happy I could borrow my roommate’s underwater camera (mine sadly doesn’t work anymore). Snorkelling here in Samoa is definitely a thing I will miss when I will be back home. I probably have been in the water for one hour. Too bad I don’t live at the beach, then I would swim every day and don’t have to pay for it. Palolo costs 4 tala.
I almost forget to show you how my Samoan vocabulary has extended over these couple of weeks. I probably forgot some words, but here are some I can come up with now.
afio mai - welcome
aiga - family
alofa - love
aua - don’t / stop
fa - four
fa’afetai (lava) - thank you (very much)
fa’amolemole - please
fale - house
fiafia - happy
ioe - yes
leai - no
lima - five
lua - two
lua sefulu fa - twenty four
maketi - market
manaia - delicious
manuia / lelei - good
matafaga - beach
mauga - mountain
moa - chicken
namu - mosquito
O a mai oe? - How are you?
palagi - white person
pepe - butterfly
sau - come
talofa - hello / welcome
tama - father
tama - boy
tamaiti - children
tasi - one
timu - rain
tina - mother
tofa soifua / fa - (good)bye
tulou - excuse me
ulufafo - exit
ulufale - entrance
vai - water
vevela - hot
The current volunteers at this moment (which are not so many now) are Annick from Luxembourg, Louise from Denmark, Alex from the UK, Florian from France, Tobias from Holland and Rachelle from Australia.
Do not forget to check my Facebook page ‘Psychologist Projects Abroad Samoa’ (http://facebook.com/psychologistsamoa) for photos and videos.
Lots of love from Samoa!
Naomi
For the non-Dutch readers: if you want to read my previous updates. I have translated the Dutch words on this site to English in my first update. You will find it on the left side of this update at ‘reisverslagen’ [= travel blogs] (below the photo of the beach). Next click on ‘new adventure awaits’, (name of my first update). Or you can click on ‘vorige bericht’ [= previous blog] below this update until you get to the first update.
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Sorry for waiting so long for my next update!
I will begin this update by telling you a bit more about my internship. In my very first update I said I was going to the Mental Health Unit of the national Hospital or the Tupua Tamasese Meaole Hospital and Goshen Trust. Well, the place of the internship has been changed now. Since three weeks I am at the Loto Taumafai School and with two Social Workers at the hospital. Monday till Thursday I am at the school and Friday I go to the hospital. The month March was a bit of a switching month. Now I can work at my new placements in April, May and June. I changed because there was not much to do and it was too much working with adults.
Loto Taumafai is a school for children with disabilities and is going to be a nice challenge for me. The age range varies between 4 and 25 years old. They are not sure what the children exactly have. Most say the children are slow learners, slow in reading and writing, deaf or naughty. I cannot do a proper assessment or diagnose them properly. Simply because there are no tests available. I can observe some children and get as much information about them as I can and form a sort of conclusion. The main thing I probably will be doing is to give psycho education to the teachers. When I will be gone, I have passed on some mental health knowledge.
With the Social Workers I will be doing counselling and working on a project with a group of mothers whose babies are malnutrition.
This month and the end of March I have been away during the weekends. For example the weekend of Saturday, 28th of March and Sunday, 29th me and three others went to Manono Island. The Island lies between the big Islands of Upolu and Savai’i. The best thing about Manono Island is that there are no cars and no dogs! With the bus it takes you about 1,5 hours to go the Manono wharf and costs you just 5 tala. From there the Sunset View boat will take you to the Fales within 20 minutes. That day we walked up Mount Tulimanuiva and passed by a star mound and grave of Afutiti. Walking down and back to the Fales in the hot sun we also passed by the Grave of 99 stones. Next day was a Sunday, so that means usually (almost) every tourist attraction is closed. The one thing you then can do is swim in the ocean, so we swam in the ocean on Sunday. We had visited everything that’s on that small little Island anyway.
The weekend after we went to Manono was Easter weekend. Here it is a Christian holiday and all the other things like the Easter bunny, Easter branches or Easter eggs is unknown here. Here in Samoa they start going to church on Thursday evening until Sunday. They go at least once a day and sometimes even twice. I only went to church with my host family on Easter Sunday. The only difference from a regular mass was that there were more people and more in white clothing. In the evening there was a touring circus, the Magic Circus of Samoa, in a village just 20 minutes from us. I went with two others and we all had a great time. The highlight was meeting the shortest man alive. He really is short! The man is called Chandra Bahadur Dangi, has a length of 54,6 centimeters, comes from Nepal and is 76 years old. It was a nice evening. Then on Easter Monday (6th of April 2015) every one of the volunteers except Annick went to Palolo Deep Marine Reserve Apia. It is highly recommended to snorkel there! Such incredible coral and beautiful fish! That day the volunteers Anja and Eivor flew back home in the evening and we had to say goodbye to them.
From Thursday, 9th of April till Sunday, the 12th of April 2015 I went with Tobias and his host mother and father to Savai’i. I could take the Thursday and Friday off. We slept the first two nights at their family (at Vailoa village) and the third night at Lauiula Beach Fales (at Lano village). We arrived pretty late on Thursday and it was raining that day. So we decided to stay at the house of the family. Next day the host father had to arrange a seminar in his village. We helped him by setting up the projector and making pictures. In return we had another good Samoan experience. There were some important people (a minister, someone from UNESCO, 2 others), you had to wear a lavalava or puletasi and there was free lunch at the end. I was glad I was able to take some pictures, because the whole thing was in Samoan. After the seminar we went to the Afu-A-Au Falls, which lies next to the village. The water there is clear, fresh and sweet. The water is probably even potable. We spend the whole afternoon there swimming, talking with tourists and taking pictures. Next day we woke up early and went to the Alofa’aga Blowholes. We had to wait at least one hour before we were able to catch a bus to the village of Taga, where the Blowholes are. The weather was finally on our side and the sight was amazing. The power of the water going high up in the air is incredible! After taking a lot of pictures of this force of nature we took two busses to Tafua Savai’i crater at Tafua Peninsula Rainforest Preserve. This went in a Samoan way: ‘Yes, we go to that direction’, it stopped a few times to get e.g. food, ‘You go and take that bus now’, we thinking in 2nd bus: ‘But we are driving back now?’, at the end when bus stopped for us: ‘So, where is the start of going to the crater?’. Luckily, the people are friendly and you somehow get to the place you want to go eventually. We were guided to the crater by some teenage girls and two boys. When finally there we had to take pictures very fast, cause it began to rain. When we were back at the starting point standing dry, one of the girls called a taxi for us. He brought us to the Lauiula Beach Fales on the East coast. Sleeping there wasn’t expensive, cause we only had to pay 50 tala for one night per person with dinner and breakfast included. The weekend was pretty cheap anyway, because we only had to pay 60 tala per person to the family for two nights. It was, despite the rainy weather, pretty nice at the Fales. It was not so big and not full of people, since it is low season. After a rainy night we woke up, had breakfast and went snorkelling/swimming. It was then already Sunday, so most things are closed. The sun showed itself briefly that morning. With snorkelling it doesn’t matter anyway if it is raining or sunny, the coral and fish still look beautiful. Around noon a taxi took us back to the ferry. Leaving the wharf at exactly 2 o’clock, the long weekend in Savai’i was at an end.
Monday, the 13th of April I experienced a second birthday in Samoa. Jacinta, the host mother of Annick and I, had her birthday that day. In the morning I did not know it yet. Coming into the kitchen I saw Ana, the daughter, making eggs, bacon, white beans in tomato sauce and pancakes. I just thought they were doing a big breakfast for a change. Then I heard it was Jacinta’s birthday. In the evening there were all kinds of delicious things. They were all making fun of me, because I ate a lot haha. Also there was singing, cake and ice scream at the end. Yammie!
During my stay here in Samoa I experienced three earthquakes now. The first two were very small. It felt like someone was shaking your bed. The third and most recent one was a bigger one. It was on a Tuesday (7th of April, 2015). I just sat in the Projects Abroad Office with Flora, the Samoan volunteer. Suddenly I felt that the floor and desk were a bit shaking. Then it was shaking heavier and also the walls were a bit shaking. For one moment I thought if I should go hide under the desk or not. I looked at Flora, but she stayed in her chair looking around cautiously. Suddenly it all stopped. This all happened within one minute. Later I learned that the earthquake was a 5,8 on the Scale of Richter. It was heavier than I thought and experienced. Some other volunteers had felt it as well and some hadn’t noticed at all. They were probably in a bus or car.
On Saturday, the 18th of April, some volunteers and I went to the Return to Paradise Beach, which belongs to a resort with the same name. It was the first time I have seen such big waves and so close to the shore here in Samoa. It is very hard to swim there, because of the current. However the beach looks gorgeous. The name of the beach comes from the 1951 Gary Cooper film ‘Return to Paradise’. So when I am back in Holland, I will have to download and watch that movie. It was a pity that the weather was not in our favour and we had to wait at least one hour till we got some food. Everyone, except me, wanted pizza. Unfortunately, some guests of the resort also ordered pizza. The result of this was that only one of the volunteers and I got what we ordered at first. The rest had to take something else. After some swimming and playing beach volley ball or rugby, having a long lunch and hanging around we went back on time. We had to get back on time, because Annick and I had to make dinner for our host family that evening. We wanted to cook for a change. Annick made Spaghetti Carbonara, but it turned out to be scrambled eggs. The day before when we did the shopping, we couldn’t find any cream and therefore had to use milk. Luckily, I found all the correct ingredients for my Spaghetti Bolognese, even though we had to go to three supermarkets before we found minced meat. In the end there was plenty of Spaghetti and everyone liked both the sauces.
As I told in my last update, the month April is a month of change regarding coming and going of volunteers. The current volunteers at this moment are Annick from Luxembourg, Kellie from Belgium, Kira and Ann from Germany, Louise from Denmark, Alex from the UK, Florian from France, Tobias from Holland, Kathrin from Austria and Lillian (elder lady) from Norway. There has also been a change of Projects Abroad staff members. Faleolo, the Project Coordinator has left. Alex, a Samoan who has lived most his life in Australia, is now the new Project Coordinator. Also Lindsay a young man from Australia has joined the team.
Do not forget to check my Facebook page ‘Psychologist Projects Abroad Samoa’ (http://facebook.com/psychologistsamoa) for photos and videos.
Pasefua! Fa!
Naomi
For the non-Dutch readers: if you want to read my previous updates. I have translated the Dutch words on this site to English in my first update. You will find it on the left side of this update at ‘reisverslagen’ [= travel blogs] (below the photo of the beach). Next click on ‘new adventure awaits’, (name of my first update). Or you can click on ‘vorige bericht’ [= previous blog] below this update until you get to the first update.
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Here is another update from far far away!
First I would like to say that I have found a way to put a lot of photos and clips via the internet. I have made a Facebook page called ‘Psychologist Projects Abroad Samoa’ (http://facebook.com/psychologistsamoa). I got the idea thanks to my roommate. It’s good that I have the Facebook page now, because I couldn’t put many more photos here. So, please go ahead, see and like my page.
Now back to my update about Samoa. I will now give you some things that I noticed here in Samoa and some facts. For example, they drive on the left side of the road here. I probably would have to get used to be on the right side of the road when I am back home again. Driving on the left has only been since the 7th of September 2009. At that time there were some protesters in front of the building, but the government changed it anyway. In one day every sign etc. was changed. If you want to buy a car after that, the steering wheel had to be on the right side of the car. Nowadays you still see some (old) cars or busses with the steering wheel on the left side. The government changed this, because over time it has made a lot of connections with Australia and New Zealand. This has also been the reason that the country lost 24 hours as it jumped over the international date line from East to West from 29th of December to 31st of December 2011. This meant that there was no 30th of December that year. The ones who had their birthday then, had to celebrate it on the 29th or 31st of December. With this change it had become easier to doing business with Australia and New Zealand. Also Samoa is now the first country who celebrates New Year and is not the last one anymore. Samoa is at this moment 13 hours ahead of the Netherlands. However it will be 12 hours of time difference soon, as summertime will begin on Sunday, the 29th of March in the Netherlands. Then the clock will be set an hour ahead. Already a week later (5th or April), the clock will be set back for 1 hour here in Samoa. From then on till the last Sunday of September Samoa will be 11 hours ahead of the Netherlands.
Now I would like to tell you about the lovely animals you have here on these Islands. You have mosquitos who like palagis (people with white skin), aggressive dogs, salamanders walking up and down the walls, chickens and roosters you hear early in the morning, crickets you hear at night together with the dogs, very thin horses, pigs rummaging about and some birds which one kind I think makes a very odd sound. The mosquitos and dogs are the worst. You get always stung by a mosquito whatever preventive means you have. Then you are always a bit afraid of dogs that might chase you or even bite you. There were now only two times I got dogs running after me while I was cycling and one time I was really afraid of some dogs when I walked to Goshen the first time. Bottom line: I won’t miss the mosquitos and dogs at all when I will be back home! The rest of the animals I can live with. I do feel a bit sorry for the dogs. How they are kept here as a pet is so much different then back home. They live outside instead of inside the house, because of the heat and dirt they might bring inside. Dog food from the store is expensive so they get the leftover chicken bones from dinner. People don’t really teach them like giving a paw or to sit etc. I see no real punishments or rewards given to the dogs. However they do listen a bit luckily. The dogs don’t seem to be very impressed by cars. They just lie or sit on the road sometimes and leave their spot until a car is like 1 till 2 meters away from them. It is unbelievable! As a driver it’s very annoying, cause you have to slow down trying not to run over the dog. My host family has two dogs. The old dog Bingo and the puppy Tiger.
In the first chapter I already told a bit about taking the bus here. I told there were no schedules or actual bus stops. And you pull the cord when you want to get out. I do have to correct a fact that I wrote about the price. It is luckily not always 1,50 tala. For me it is 1,50 to town and then 1 tala to the hospital. So it does depend on the distance. When taking the bus I advise to try to avoid rush hour when everyone goes to or comes from work or school. The bus might be so full that there’s no room for you and passes by leaving you to wait for the next overfull bus. When you can go on the bus you either have to sit on somebody’s lap, have someone else (child) on your lap, have to stand or you can just sit normally. There is some kind of hierarchy in the bus. Usually the younger boys or men sit at the back. Older people will sit in the front and often people make room for them. Girls almost always end up sitting on each other’s or someone else’s lap. And I, a foreigner, am sometimes spared to have somebody on my lap or have to sit on somebody else’s lap. Thus quite an experience!
Another way of transportation is going by taxi. This is more expensive than taking the bus. If I want to go to the office of Projects Abroad I have to pay 7 tala. The thing with the taxi here is when you need one there’s no one around, but when you don’t need one it’s always like: Taxi? Taxi? Taxi?! Very annoying. Sometimes I am not even bothered to say no and just ignore. The times you have to take the taxi is usually during evening or at night. The bus only goes from 06.00h till 18.00h. I cannot go with my bike, because I don’t have lights and I am uncomfortable biking when the sun is down. You can spare some costs when you have to take the taxi by walking a bit first and then take the taxi for the last part (or other way round). Writing about the taxi makes me think about the driving style and traffic here. Like you just go through red light if you see there’s no traffic to the direction you want to go. There are not many road signs. So many people drive too fast. I don’t know what you have to do exactly to get a driving licence. It would probably be very easy. You cannot get lost very quickly, because there are not many roads in Samoa. If you do get lost, it’s not difficult to find your way again. Driving in town during rush hour on a school/working day you have to watch out. Driving on a Sunday somewhere far away from Apia is very laid back.
Some other typical Samoan thing is the shouting. They shout at each other at the other side of the house. They call out someone’s name and sometimes add Sau! (come) or O fea oe! (where are you). Another thing is when eating and/or drinking they tend to make noise (smack, smack, smack). There’s also not really a settled dinner time. Annick and I usually eat earlier, because they always eat very late. I still am surprised that they don’t feel any hunger around 6 o’clock. Furthermore don’t be surprised if someone is asking about your name, age and marital status. Another thing here is that you put your flip flops at the entrance before entering a house or fale.
I went to a Fa’afafine show on Thursday (12th of March) and the first male model show on Friday (13th of March). Fa’afafine means ‘to be a woman’ (“fa’a” means “to be” and “fafine” means “woman”). They are born men, but they see themselves as females and grow up choosing to identify with the female gender. The fa’afafine is to be considered the third gender here in Samoa and so are accepted by most Samoan people. The show on Thursday was with three fa’afafines and the show on Friday had six contestants. Both shows were really funny. Not many people attended it though. The categories for the male show were traditional ware, lava lava, talent and interview. Prince nr. 1 had won the first category and was also the grand winner. Prince nr. 4 won the other three categories. Oh and the most funny part was during the Fa’afafine show. They liked Tobias, the other Dutch volunteer. It was so funny when he had to go on stage and everyone laughed so hard. He had a nice first week.
I furthermore experienced a birthday for the first time here in Samoa. John, the son, had his birthday on the 10th of March. We had a nice dinner with the whole family in the evening with cake and singing afterwards. Also before eating there was a prayer. Because it was a special event, the prayer was a bit longer than usual.
Lastly, the current volunteers at this moment are Annick from Luxembourg, Kira and Yvonne from Germany, Kellie from Belgium (German part), Anja from Denmark, Melissa from America, Eivor (Ivy) from Norway, Tobias from the Netherlands and Alice from Canada (French part). Birgitta has left and the other elder lady Christa has just arrived. Also I forgot to tell and didn’t know before that Nori is from a Japanese volunteer organisation. As for Bumbei, he is still here I presume. He does a language program for a whole year or something. Next month (April) there is going to be a switch. Some volunteers are going away and new volunteers will be arriving.
Naomi
For the non-Dutch readers: if you want to read my previous updates. I have translated the Dutch words on this site to English in my first update. You will find it on the left side of this update at ‘reisverslagen’ [= travel blogs] (below the photo of the beach). Next click on ‘new adventure awaits’, (name of my first update). Or you can click on ‘vorige bericht’ [= previous blog] below this update until you get to the first update.
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Time goes by so quickly. It is already my fourth update and my third here in Samoa. Also I have been here for over one month now.
From now on I will try to update you more often, so it won’t be such long texts. And I still have to figure out how to be able to put more photos and clips. Perhaps I can download the photos and clips on another site and put the link in the update.
Here in Samoa you don’t have Wi-Fi everywhere. This means that you cannot go on the internet whenever you want. When you want to go on the internet you can go to one of the few internet cafes in Apia. There are also some hotspots. I myself always go to the Projects Abroad office, where they have Wi-Fi. At the office is a computer with internet which all volunteers can use. You can of course bring your own laptop or mobile with you. It’s just that the office is only open during the afternoon for couple of hours. You can mail or look up something at internet, but because of the time difference it is a bit difficult to skype. Another way to have internet is to buy an internet dongle for your laptop. I have just bought one and now I can also go on internet at home. But just like with the phone you have to top up, get more credit and data. You can buy for example 675 mb for 19 tala, but it only last for one week. To check your balance, you can call *120 and to check how much data you have left you dial *130. Then it will show on you mobile how much you got. This is the only way here in Samoa to be able to call, text and go on internet.
So now something different. On Thursday (19-febr-2015) was another social event. This time we were taught how to cook traditional Samoan Umu. We went to one of the host families. We have been showed how to prepare, wrap and cook the food in an oven ground that was traditionally used and is still used today by most Samoan families. We had coconuts, baked green banana’s, ripe yellow banana’s, taro, taro leaves, bread fruit, fish (tuna) and chicken. We made Palusami (coconut milk in taro leaves) and Faiaieleni (fish in coconut milk). It is a long process. We started at 5pm and could finally eat at 8pm. Imagine they did this every day. Now it is only done on Sunday (see also last update).
Following weekend, that of 21st of February, my roommate finally arrived early Sunday morning. She came with the exact same flight as me, but then precisely 4 weeks later. Her name is Annick and comes from Luxembourg. She is also 24 and is an occupational therapist. So far she is very nice and a good roommate ;). That Sunday she slept in the morning. She had been in Australia for 4 weeks, so she did not had a huge jetlag or was exhausted from the long journey. In the afternoon we went to the Papasaea Sliding Rocks near Apia. In the beginning it looks a bit scary to slide down, but afterwards it is not as bad as you think it was.
The current volunteers at this moment are my roommate Annick from Luxembourg, Ashley from Australia, Kira and Yvonne from Germany, Kellie from Belgium (German part), Anja from Denmark, Melissa from America, Eivor (or Ivy) from Norway and Christa, an older lady but looks very youthful, from Switzerland. Also there are other volunteers, but we don’t see them much. They are Bumbei and elder lady Nori from Japan and elder lady Birgitta from Sweden. This weekend (7 till 9 march) Ashley will be leaving us and another Dutch person has arrived. Tobias is his name and he arrived on Saturday morning. He stays at another host family. I haven’t met him yet.
The weekend after the arrival of Annick. (Friday, 27-febr-15 – Sunday, 1-march-15) we went with nine people to Lalomanu beach. We hired a minivan and had Ashley as driver. We left on Friday afternoon and arrived at the Taufua beach fales after less than one and a half hour. Upon arrival, the first thing you do is jump into the ocean of course. The water has such a perfect warm temperature. Here in Samoa you can swim in the ocean all year round and it also doesn’t matter whether it is day or night nor when it is raining or sunny. I only would not swim when there is a thunderstorm going on above your head. When everyone was cooled down and had a shower we waited for dinner. They said it would be between 19h and 20h, but in Samoan time it means 20.30h. For dinner we had all kinds of delicious food. There was pasta with broccoli and bacon, meatballs and onions, rice, different kind of vegetables and of course there was chicken. The rest of the evening we sat and talked. At that moment Ivy just arrived at the fales. She came from Fiji, but her original flight got cancelled. At 23.00h everyone went to bed. There was also a backpackers group that stayed there the whole weekend. Two of them were Jutta and Jelle (brother and sister) from Apeldoorn (the Netherlands). The first Dutch people I met since I arrived in Samoa. Funny! Next morning I felt very tired. I wasn’t really that tired when we went to bed. I woke up a couple of times during the night. I found the ocean too close; the sound of it was a bit too loud. Furthermore, the mattress I lay on was very thin. I practically lay on the fale floor. Anyway, in the morning after having a nice breakfast we swam in the ocean again. During the afternoon most of us went to the To Sua Ocean Trench. It consists of “two sinkhole-like depressions with sheer rock walls decorated in greenery…. You can swim under a broad arch of rock from the larger pool, serenaded by droplets of water hitting the surface, to the second large opening to the sky. The pool is fed by the waves surging through an underwater passageway – don’t attempt to swim through it.” (guidebook). You can reach the larger pool by climbing a wooden ladder. Some people dare to jump into the water halfway from the ladder. In Samoa most natural sites are on grounds of a family and you have to pay to be able to visit it. For the trench you also had to pay (20 tala). Up at the trench you could leave your things. You could also go to the toilet or shower if you want or need to. There were furthermore beautiful cliffs at the ocean side. At the trench I came across a colleague from the hospital. She is a social worker and here name is also Naomi. She was there with her son and cousins. It was just when we went away and the others were waiting for me I saw her and had a little talk. On our way back to the fales we made some photos at the beach. That night we had again such a good dinner. There was lobster, mussels, white fish, sushi, mashed potatoes, curry and salad with crab. It was Saturday evening and this means that there’s a fiafia show. A dancing family showed us traditional Samoan dancing. Annick, 3 other girls from the backpackers group and I tried as well. After us some guys were asked to go on the dance floor to try it. Next were some boys and a man who did fire dancing. That was so amazing. This family has lost many of its members at the 2009 Tsunami. You can still see some remaining of the Tsunami. Hereafter you could all go to the dancefloor. Our group however went to the beach a bit further away where Anja played her guitar and sang. That night I still didn’t sleep well, even with an extra mattress. I woke up several times, also because of the rain and thunder. Next day after having again a lovely breakfast (American pancakes) we left Lalomanu beach. We visited two waterfalls on our way back to Apia. This was bit of a downer. It was a waste of 10 tala we had to pay in total. The first waterfall (Sopoaga Waterfall) you couldn’t swim and the second waterfall (Falefa Waterfall) the water looked to dirty to swim. So we drove further, sat at the beach for a little while and arrived in Apia on time to hand in the van. While waiting for the men of the company to come back, we went to the McDonald’s to get some ice scream.
On Sunday, the 8th of march I went to church mass for the second time here in Samoa. It is pretty much the same as home, but still it is nice to experience it at the other side of the world. Mass starts at 9am. This Sunday it finished at 10.20am. Also the children choir sang that Sunday, which is nice. At the start of the mass we first stand up while the preacher speaks. When he is done the choir sings and everyone sits down. After this there is like a 20 minute long preach. It is all in Samoan, so I couldn’t understand a word he said. But even if it was in a language I know, I still would find it boring and not listen to it. Next up was collecting the money for the children choir and the church. Then the best part came, the communion. You’re able to stand up and move a bit again. Because for me the wooden benches are so hard. I don’t have much fat. I remember that the communion is always at the end of the mass. But now after the mass there was still 20 minutes. Within those 20 minutes there’s the final preach. Also between bringing the wine and communion and go to the front to get the communion bread, the people say a hymn and stand with their hand palms up and/or holding hands. For me the whole mass I just followed the rest. Stand whenever they stand, sit whenever they sit, go on the knees, shake hands, make a cross, etc.
Some weeks ago I have sent some postcards and just heard that they have arrived. I now know that it takes about two weeks for a postcard to go from Samoa to the Netherlands. My host mother sent it for me at the 19th of February and my parents and two grandmothers got their cards around the 3rd of March.
Since Thursday evening (05-03-2015) I take antibiotics for a couple of days. I scratched some mosquito bites open and some got infected. Oops! :S
Finally, I have a bike. I started looking for it a couple of weeks ago, but didn’t had much chance to go to the store. It’s really hard to find one, because first of all there are not many bikes and secondly they don’t have a bike shop or bike repairer. You have to go and ask people. And if a shop has bikes, the have only one, two or when you’re lucky three bikes. What I noticed as well is that they only have mountain bikes. One day I found a mountain bike I was happy with and bought that one. Later however I find the kind of bike I was looking for when Annick was looking for a bike last Saturday (7-march-2015). Aarghh!! It was a lady bike with a basket up front and a rack at the back. Such a shame that the bike was also very expensive. That’s just my luck unfortunately. When I don’t look for something, I somehow find it. Ah well, I am now stuck with my cool mountain bike. Annick will probably will buy a cheap mountain bike she saw at another shop.
I will stop here now, before it is getting too long again. Next time I try to update you sooner.
Naomi
For my non-Dutch readers: if you want to read my previous updates e.g. I have translated the Dutch words on this site to English in my first update. You will find it on the left side of this update at ‘reisverslagen’ [= travel blogs] (below the photo of the beach). Next click on ‘new adventure awaits’, (name of my first update). Or you can click on ‘vorige bericht’ [= previous blog] below this update until you get to the first update.
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Here is the second update from rainy Samoa! Yes, rainy. It is not all the sunshine you see on postcards. It is now raining a lot or it is cloudy. This is because it’s at the moment (November till April) rain and cyclone season. From May will be dry season. So I will have to wait several weeks until it is dry season. Not that it is totally bad, because there’s less change I get a sun burned and being in the rain is not as hot as standing in the sun. On the other hand, I cannot make as beautiful pictures now as when the sun shines. Also the air now is very humid, which is not really comfortable. But my hair doesn’t at least get very static. Now in Holland with the dry winter air it would be.
Every week (usually on Wednesday or Thursday) is social event with all the volunteers. On my first social event (Thursday, 29-jan-15) I met almost all the volunteers. We had a social dinner at 6 o’clock at Amanakis Hotel (Amanakis means Hope in another Polynesian language Ana told me). I already knew Kellie from Belgium. The other volunteers were Yakup and Raimund from Germany, Sophie from Austria, Ruby from Australia and Bumbei from Japan. The rest of th volunteers who weren’t there were Birgitta (an older woman) from Sweden and Jessie and Carly from Australia. It was nice to meet some others. You can talk with them, share stories and ask them questions. At dinner everyone ordered a hamburger. Because I still had to recover a little bit from having not eaten much during flight and because of the warmth I wasn’t very hungry I ordered a chicken salad. I tasted very nice though.
On Friday morning (30-jan-15) I went to the Museum of Samoa in town. It was raining the whole day, so I thought I would do something inside. The museum is a small building divided between four air-conditioned, themed rooms: history, culture, Pacific and environment. You don’t have to pay entry fee, but donations are appreciated. The first room I went in on the upper floor was probably Pacific themed. They showed all kind of different miniature boats / canoes. And there was information on how they travelled to other parts of the Pacific. In the history room I came across a nice story. It was called ‘The legend of Lata and the sacred trees’. Basically the story told that Lata should have sacrificed something to the god of trees before cutting anything down. The third room showed what kind of animal life and flora & fauna there is in Samoa and some being endangered. They showed different kind of coral and Samoan shellfish. Then the most interesting room I found, was probably the culture room. The room displayed a miniature Fale, cricket bat and ball (Samoan form of cricket is called kirikiti) and how sennit (fibres of coconut) is made. Also there was information on the traditional art of tattoo. I have put a picture of the poster below. The poster said: ‘Receiving the Tatau: Receiving the male tattoo, the Pe’a, is connected with many rituals and taboos. The tattoo artist, the tufuga ta tatau, is highly respected and will leave the process unfinished, if taboos have been broken. / There are distinct steps in the creation of the male tattoo which have to follow in a certain sequence: The asofaalava (first line on the back) determines the width of the va’a (boat) and the pe’a (bat; design beneath the va’a). The va’a is outlined and completed. The tattoo continues down the back and over the thighs to the back of the knees. The sides of the back and hips are tattooed. The front of the legs are filled in. The finishing parts of the tattoo are the punialo (lower abdomen) and the pute (navel). / During this whole process, the taboos have to be observed. The recipient never is left alone, but has to stay away from his wife or any other sexual relationship. He can only bath in seawater; the pus and blood have to be wiped up continuously. There should be no harsh noise around the house or where the tattoo makes place, and no sick person can stay there. Members of the family will accompany the recipient and comfort him with their songs. They also have to support the process by providing the gifts to the tattoo artist. / The Pe’a can take days, weeks or months, depending on the ability of the recipient to stand the excruciating pain, on the skills of the tufuga, and on the healing process. / At the completion, a ceremony takes place to lift the taboos and thank the tufuga ta tatau with gifts.’ Today it is different and not many people have tattoos made like this. Well I at least don’t have actually seen somebody with this kind of tattoo. Although I have seen someone receiving the Tatau. I didn’t saw it clearly though, because I stood at some distance.
Next day (Saturday, 31-jan-15) I went to the Misiluki Spa in town. I thought it would be a nice relaxing treat and good for the many mosquito bites on my legs. When I made the appointment I asked what treatment is best for me. They told me I should take the ‘Esi’ Papaya Body Wrap. So I said I take that one. It takes one and a half hour and costs $170 tala dollar. A girl my age did my treatment. She started with a coffee body scrub. It helps remove dead skin cells and other unwanted debris from your body. Then I had the papaya wrap. Papaya contains papain enzymes, which naturally soften and revitalize and heals skin when absorbed, and with the help of tea tree chamomile essential oils it works on the main areas such as insect bites and other inflamed skin. After lying for a while in the papaya wrap, I was unwrapped, removed it under a (second) cold shower and dried myself. Finally she put on strawberry soothing lotion with vitamin C. This helps sooth and replenish skin, it’s boost in hydration and helps cell renewal. I went away with my skin smelling nicely of strawberries.
On Monday, 2-febr-15 I had my first day of internship. Faleolo from Projects Abroad brought me to the hospital around 10.00h and introduced me to dr. George, my Practice Supervisor. He showed me the ward and introduced me to some other staff members. Only 1 till 2 hours I immediately got a case. They usually don’t do what the boy have, but because it was in my field they brought him to me. It is actually a real test of what you know. The rest of the day and also the week I was searching information and writing a report. From then on and now still I am getting used to things. Also I learn about the Samoan culture and about the mental health unit. I notice that I have to sit with them, ask question and observe what they are doing. This week a medical student and I got another case. Also a boy. If there will be a new case every 2 weeks, I won’t be able to Goshen Trust. I would also do my internship at this mental health service.
Somewhere on page 100 in my Lonely Planet Guidebook it says ‘Best Places to Stay: - Namu’a Island Beach Fale (p119)’ and on page 102 it says ‘Samoa Highlights: 1. Sleeping in a traditional Samoan fale such as those on Namu’a island (p119)’. Going to page 119 it says ‘Namu’a Island Beach Fale: (Map 104; phone 751 0231; Namu’a; fale incl 2 meals & return boat transfers per person ST90) Namu’a is only a short boat ride from Mutiatele, but once you’re on this tiny private island you’ll feel like Upolu is light years away (even though it’s clearly visible across the strait). Do a circumnavigation of the shoreline (low tide only), clamber up the steep central peak and snorkel the surrounding reef. Fale are open, basic and right on the beach – there’s no electricity so everything is lit by oil lamps at night. Meals are mostly local style (think fried fish and cassava for dinner, and spam and eggs for breakfast). Park your car (ST10 per day) at the shop with the Namu’a sign in Mutiatele and they’ll call the resort to come pick you up.’
Saturday and Sunday 7 and 8-febr 15 I could see the Island with my eyes and experience staying at a fale for one night. So, after being there I can tell you if the information in the book is right. So, first is the phone number. This is correct, but you can also call +685 758-8209. Secondly, I do have to set the price right. Because I paid $120 for one night, that’s incl. breakfast, dinner and boat ride. And for lunch I had to pay an extra $10. Then it is indeed a short boat ride. It only takes 5 to 10 minutes to get to the Island and it is indeed visible from the mainland. When we we’re there we, like described in the guide book, clambered up the steep central peak and snorkelled the surrounding reef. For snorkelling I used someone else’s goggles. Immediately seeing the beautiful coral and fishes, I thought I definitely should buy my own goggles. I have put pictures of Namu’a Island. The weather was not all sunshine, but still it was really nice. Like in the evening there was a sunset with nice orange and red colours. On Sunday three persons and me went up the central peak. Because it had been raining it was very slippery and muddy. But we made it to the top and had a fantastic view from the other side of the Island. We slept the night in three traditional fales. On the Island there’s is no electricity and everything was lit by solar powered lamps at night. I have slept good in the fale. Only two or three times did I wake up. Once in the middle of the night another volunteer was awake. We heard thunder and saw lightning closer than the day before. It has been thundering far away sometimes the whole weekend. So, because we thought it might rain we immediately took everything in and brought everything in safety. Of course, it didn’t rain until the next morning. In the morning we got eggs, bacon, bread, banana and kind of a pancake with a little bit of cheese on it. For lunch we had to’ona’i. To’ona’i is a big lunch on Sunday after church service. It consist of typical Samoan food, like palusami (coconut cream wrapped in taro leaves), fish in coconut cream, breadfruit and papaya. They also eat a lot of chicken here. There has been chicken in almost every meal now. We also had chicken for dinner on Saturday evening. There was also breadfruit (but differently prepared), pumpkin and a sausage.
After this lovely weekend I went back to work at the hospital. On Wednesday (11-febr-15) I finally received my parcel with my study books and dictionary. My father sent it to the office of Projects Abroad and it finally arrived after about 3 and a half weeks. Another thing worth telling from this week is that some new volunteers arrived. Last week’s social event (Wednesday, 04-02-15) was just with Faleolo, me and the new volunteer Yvonne from Germany. We then had McDonald’s (yes, there’s even one McDonald’s in whole of Samoa) and ate it at the seawall behind the old government building. This week’s social event (Thursday, 12-02-15) the group consisted of Ashley from Australia. He is going to teach children at a primary school. And there’s Anja, the journalist, from Denmark. She’s volunteering at the Samoan Observer, the national newspaper here. She immediately got on the front page. We had picnic and played cricket. Katy (UK), the country director of Samoa and Mårten (Denmark), the visiting country director from Fiji were also there. Also the day before I have seen Birgitta, the older lady from Sweden, at the office. Ruby, Carly, Sophie and Yakub are leaving one by one at the moment. The others were traveling or sick. Overall, I think we are now with 7 till 10 volunteers.
When searching in my guidebook for the correct word for Sunday lunch I came across this text ‘The ferries to and from Savai’i can get very full, especially on weekends, holidays and Friday afternoons. Arrive at least one hour early on these days and get in the queue (in your car if you’re driving or in the departure lounge if you’re on foot) or you’ll risk not getting on – the captains are (fortunately) quite strict about not overloading the boats. Crowds at busy times create a crush not unlike the front row of a Justin Bieber concert – it’s one of the only times you’ll see Samoans forget their manners and really push and shove. Boats seldom run on ‘Samoa time’. A 2pm departure means a 2pm departure.’ This is indeed quite true, as my host family (Jacinta-host mother, John-son, Ana-daughter, Alana-granddaughter, Epenesa-granddaughter & Noelani-granddaughter) and me had to rush on a Sunday morning (15-febr-15) to catch a boat after forced to have breakfast at Samoan time at the hotel (they were waiting for the boss). We had stayed at the other side of the Island for one night at the Vaisala Beach Hotel. Close by lives an sick aunt of Jacinta, whom we visited the day before. We luckily also had time for a swim on our small trip to Savaii. We did have to wake up really early (5.30h) on that Saturday to catch the boat at 8am. On the road we picked up Noelani from her parent’s house. Epenesa has been already staying with us since a couple of days. After one and a half hour with the boat we were at Savaii. From the warf it was still a long journey to our hotel. We also stopped a couple of times to buy something at a shop or to go to the toilet. On our way I saw a lot of fales. The animals I saw from the road were horses, pigs, cows, chicken and of course dogs. The one thing that struck me most was the Heineken beer at the shop where we bought some food. I was looking if there was anything to drink and suddenly my eye fell on a word I recognized. Of course I made a picture of it. For all Dutch people who are going to the other side of the world, you won’t miss our Dutch beer. Unless you don’t like it like me or rather have another brand. Arriving at our hotel, we swam in the ocean first, went to the aunt and family, had a rest and went back again. Overall it was a nice short trip. Oh and I got sunburned for the first time. I did put on sun screen (factor 50), but I must have lay in the water for too long.
To end this update, I put some Samoan words I already learned here. There are some more words, but I forgot them and not have written down yet. My Samoan vocabulary is at the moment as followed:
1. talofa - hello / welcome
2. leai - no
3. fa’afetai - thank you
4. manaia - delicious
5. timu - rain
6. tina - mother
tina - Tina
7. tama - father
tama - boy
8. ioe - yes
9. sau - come
10. aiga - family
11. matafanga - beach
I am going to end here. It has already been a long story. But of course there is so much to tell. And please, ask whatever you want to know about Samoa and/or leave comments :D. For now, it is getting used to things for me. As long as I remember that I do not live permanently in the middle of nowhere and later I would be very disappointed if have I left early. Also, I want to explore every little corner of this country. As you can see in the picture, it’s really beautiful.
Naomi
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Here is my first blog written from Samoa!! As you have read in my last blog, I will be staying in Samoa for 5 months and will be doing my internship here.
As with all journeys, my journey began at home. I left home on Thursday, the 22nd of January 2015. I said goodbye to my home and two cats Tarzan and Jane at 14.30h. I tried to hug them, but they weren’t interested. I think I hugged them too much that day. My mother first took me to my father’s office. From there my father and I would go to Amsterdam. Here I had to say goodbye to my mother and left at 15.15h for Amsterdam. At 18h with half hour of traffic jam and searching for the hotel, we arrived at the Van der Valk Hotel Schiphol A4. There we ate a lovely dinner at the hotel and had gone to bed early.
The next day (Friday, 23-jan-15) was the day I would left my beautiful country for real. Awake at 6.30h we had some breakfast and got ready to go to the airport. I arrived nicely on time at Schiphol Airport. My father dropped me off there and from there our ways departed. After this last goodbye I went inside the airport and went to the check-in. At the check-in I already noticed I have chosen a not everyday destination. The woman behind the desk didn’t understand a sentence and had to ask someone for help. Basically it said that I have date-changeable tickets, because the Visa for Samoa is valid for 60 days and when in Samoa you can extend it. So after that was clear, my luggage was weighted (22kg) and I have passed the very first check or control. After that I went to the passport control and the hand luggage control. Finally at 10.00h all passengers were able to go in the plane for flight SQ 323, destination Singapore. Fifteen minutes later than planned we taxied of at 10.45h. At 11.15h we were in the air and from this point I have left Holland. Now I should remind you that because of the long journey and getting through a lot of time zones, from now on the given time is and will be the local time. I found the plane to Singapore pretty luxurious. I was in a BOEING 777-200. A big airplane. Every seat was equipped with a pillow, blanket and headphone. I luckily had a window seat. Back at the check-in the woman had asked me what I preferred. The stewardesses of Singapore Airlines, (wearing very nice uniforms) gave each passenger a warm small towel. Also during flight they gave a menu for lunch and breakfast and a sachet with socks, toothpaste and a toothbrush. Beforehand I was afraid I would have loud noisy neighbours, but luckily I got good neighbours. On the flight to Singapore I sat next to a couple. The woman was from Portugal and the man from Argentina. They told me they worked in East Timor (lies near Bali they said). The flight went overall better than thought. Hallway I got really tired. After that I have slept every time I was in a plane.
After flying for approximately 12 and a half hour the plane landed safely at 06.05h on Saturday (24-jan-15) at Singapore Changi Airport. My ears behaved very well while descending. I did not feel too much the changing pressure while landing. When I got off the plane I went to the first toilet I could find and freshen up. I then went to the right terminal and gate and waited for the next flight. Meanwhile there are a lot of shops where you can buy things. Also you could eat something by getting a food card. When you are done, you could return it and get the remaining money back. However the best thing there was in the airport was a butterfly garden. There were beautiful big black and white butterflies, slightly smaller brown butterflies, etc. They had information signs about what the biggest butterfly and smallest is, the process of becoming a butterfly and that 5% (as I can remember) of the different kinds of butterflies lives in Singapore. Unfortunately, I couldn’t stay forever in that garden and had to catch my next flight. Again there was a hand luggage control and after that I could board again half an hour before leaving. At 9.45h, 10 minutes later than original departure time the plane (an AIRBUS INDUSTRIE A330-300) taxied of at 9.35h and went into the air. During this flight (flight SQ 245) I had again a good neighbour. She had a window seat and I was at the side of the pathway. My neighbour was a girl from Italy (at the site of the Adriatic coast). She was heading back again to Brisbane after visiting her family for 3 weeks, which she hasn’t seen in 2 years. She was also a psychologist just like me. She works with people who have dementia. We both slept the whole flight, because we were both very tired. I was afraid that the landing part would be the most nauseated thing for me, but I was wrong. Every time they came with the food trolley (especially warm food or drinks) I couldn’t stand the smell of it. One of the flight attendants noticed this and gave me a mouth cap. Haha, I felt very Asian wearing this. It did help though. I couldn’t smell the food. I took it off again when the trolley with the collected food trays left and the air was clear again. Phew what a relief. I could always sleep again after the trolley had gone and weren’t shaken during turbulence. Yes, at every single flight there was of course turbulence. Well, 3 hours before landing I got impatient. I really wanted to be in Samoa and found that I have travelled long enough. Unfortunately, I can’t make time go any faster or travel faster, so I had to be patient. On Saturday (still the same day as when I left Singapore) I arrived in Brisbane at 20.45h. Here something really funny happened. The plane had just landed and stood at the gate. Before everybody could get out, there was a voice from the speakers saying: “Will passenger Naomi Levels with a connecting flight to Apia, Samoa report to the ground floor staff” It was something like this the voice said. Of course I did not expect that they would call my name, so I did not catch the whole sentence. My next flight to Apia was to leave in 45 minutes and I thought I could make it. After realizing they were referring to me, I went to the first stewardess I saw and told her I was Naomi Levels. She told the ground staff I was coming and she made way for me from the back of the plane where my seat was, so I could get out. Out of the plane I could follow I woman and she quickly guided my through the airport. First I had to go through the hand luggage control again and then we went for the gate where the plane was waiting. I was almost the last one who checked in. I didn’t had enough time than I thought. It was a funny experience, but I also found it very considered of them. Well, at 21.30h right on time the plane (flight VA 095) leaving for Apia taxied of from the gate and got up in the air. In the plane I immediately made a friend. Because I didn’t had the chance to freshen up in Brisbane I got to go to the toilet at the back of the plane. Only it really smelled bad in there, so I only went to the toilet and get out as quickly as I could. But heading for the toilet an Australian looking surfing dude at the last row began talking to me. He must have been curious. He asked whether I am Dutch, German or Norwegian. My Dutch accent betrayed me and he guessed it right that I was from the Netherlands. Stupid Dutch accent. It sounds horrible is my opinion. It was also the first introduction day in Sweden all over again. Another Dutch person also heard that I was from the Netherlands. The Australian dude, named Robbie, said that he was a volunteer via the Australian government and that there were also other volunteers who were in the plane. Next to the few Australians on board, most people were Samoans. There were no more Europeans or Dutch people, except for me, anymore. Although I learned later that a Belgian girl, also from Projects Abroad, was on the plane. During this flight my neighbour was a friendly social Samoan woman. Again I had no window seat, but there was nothing to see outside anyway. Because the flight wasn’t full this time, there was almost one seat empty between the pathway and window seat. The rows were 3 by 3 seats. I sat in a BOEING 737-800. Right behind the Samoan lady and I, sat a family with a baby. Of course it cried several times during flight. I did get not much sleep then. I have to say that after the third flight you get used to landing, go through all those controls etc. Also at a certain point I didn’t know what time it was or where I was anymore, because of being so tired and of all those time differences (Dutch, Singhalese, Australian and Samoan).
Finally, after many hours of flying I arrived in Samoa at the Faleolo Airport on Sunday (25-jan-15) around 5 o’clock in the morning. Hurray! I made it to the other side of the world! I was really excited! Getting out of the plane I wanted to take a picture of the plane, because I did not had the chance in Brisbane. Only I couldn’t find my photo camera quickly. I thought I left it at the seat behind me, but after getting back into the plane it was not there. I then turned my backpack upside down and voila, I found my camera. Of course I put it where I didn’t usually put it. I went from the plane again, took a picture and got inside to have my Visa. After having my Visa stamp for Samoa in my passport (which made me very happy) at the immigration desk, my suitcase went through the x-ray. I honestly filled in the declaration card. I ticked yes at if I had medicine and food in my suitcase. After reading the card, the security guard only asked if I had brought fruit. I said, no I have sucker, hard caramel candy (Zeeuwse Babbelaars). Oh, I almost forgot! You could collect your suitcase, when you got your Visa. There you were welcomed by a band who played Samoan/Polynesian tunes. So, it is true! You are actually welcomed by a band when you come to the South Pacific! Know I didn’t bring anything illegal into the country, two staff members of Projects Abroad were waiting for me and for Kellie (girl from German part of Belgium). It was also the first time I experienced rain in Samoa. Although it lasted only 5 minutes and it was just drizzling. They women brought us to our host family. On the way my first impression of Samoa was: dark, clam, moist, warm, tropical (palm trees and banana plants). I finally arrived at 7.15h at the home of my host family. When I met my host mother, there was already the first cultural difference. When we were introduced to each other I give her the hand and not thinking straight with my tired head kissed her three times. Very Dutch. She already gave a little distance after one kiss. I saved myself by saying that this is the Dutch way of doing it. After shown me my room, I ate a little and went to bed. Jacinta said that I should rest and she will wake me up for lunch. At 8.15h I had gone to bed while the rest of the family had woken up, gone to church or prepared lunch. First I couldn’t get asleep. At a certain point I closed the window, put the fan on and finally fell asleep. The first impression of the house when I first came in is that I felt like I was in a French holiday house or Australian house. However, looking outside it definitely looked more tropical. Outside a dog and some chickens were walking loosely around the garden and there were also birds and crickets. At 12.10h I was woken up by Jacinta for lunch and met the rest of the family for the first time. I immediately forgot their names when I was introduced to them of course. I only could remember the name of the 3 year old granddaughter, which is Alana. The daughter’s name is Ana Theresa and the name of the son is John. Vaise is their last name. For lunch I only ate some rice and cucumber, while I was still too tired to eat and weak. I then slept and rest again from 13.00-18.00h. Because the air was so humid that day I was very thirsty, sweating and I had to go to the bathroom a lot. Jacinta was so nice to give me my own water, because my European stomach couldn’t handle water from the tap. On Sundays only the supermarket is open. In the evening I went with Jacinta’s daughter, husband and granddaughter to town to do some shopping. In the supermarket they had a lot of things we also have, like cola, meat, Kellogg’s, white beans in tomato sauce, spaghetti, etc. Going to the gas station I experienced another cultural difference. They had people who filled your tank for you. There are only a few gas stations with self-service. Then the last thing they had to do was to take measurements for Alana’s school uniform at a tailor. They all have to wear uniforms when you’re going to school. Even the universities have their own uniforms. We got back to the house. Meanwhile it was already gotten dark. For dinner I ate some toast with pineapple jam. It tastes nice. When finished my dinner, I had a shower and went to bed at 21.45h. I had slept badly because of dogs barking all night.
Somewhere this day I saw the Sunday newspaper. My eye fell on the front page and a name attracted my attention. My own name. The article said that a ferry ‘Lady Naomi’ with 100 passengers from American Samoa to Samoa was stuck for 20 hours. Good to know that my name is familiar in these surroundings. The weather forecast was also in the paper. It said: Evening district forecast for Samoa meteorology division at 3.30PM. Saturday 24-01-2015: Situation: A south westerly wind flow prevails over Samoa. Meanwhile a trough of low pressure lies to the North of the group. For Upolu: Today: Fine and cool night. Few late afternoon showers tomorrow. Tomorrow & Tuesday: Mostly fine apart from a brief showers mainly in the afternoon. Wednesday: Isolated showers.
Next morning (Monday, 26-jan-15) I was awake very early at 06.45h. I got up at 8h and had some breakfast. Faleolo, the placement director of Projects Abroad, called me and said that she would pick me up at 10.15h instead of the agreed time 9.15h for introduction in town together with Kellie. As everyone else got to work, including Jacinta, the ones who stayed home were Alana, the two elderly ladies and a cousin. I read a bit till Faleolo came and pick me up. We first went to the Office of Projects Abroad. She first explained that the Katey Woolley, the country director, was overseas and would come back next week. Faleolo also gave us some forms, t-shirt (probably too big for me), information about the placement and phone numbers of the other volunteers. Meanwhile explaining about the placement of Kellie I could get behind the computer to e-mail my parents that I have arrived safely in Samoa. When there were no more questions we went for a walk through the city. Faleolo showed us the market, post office, bus stop, etc. We also went to the Digicel telephone shop and got our Samoan Sim card with Samoan number. I also got 675 mb data for the phone and could from this moment on go on internet. That also settled Faleolo brought us back home again. I got tired of the walking and a beat weak because of the sun. I therefore went straight to bed when I got home. I didn’t need lunch, while I already ate a nice chicken sandwich that Faleolo paid for me. The rest of the day I had read a bit and slept or rested. At 19.00h I had dinner (noodles) with Jacinta. Normally they eat later, but now I wouldn’t have to eat later than I am used to. Very thoughtful, but in this hot weather I am not really hungry at 18.00h. The rest of the family had a shower and would dine later. Again I experienced rain here in Samoa. Too bad it was only a short cool shower. After dinner I called my mum and dad. I even could FaceTime with my dad. I can also WhatsApp, send a message, go on Facebook and e-mail with my mobile. Glad to have heard my parents I got to the living room with my laptop to start with my weblog. John, the son and another cousin were watching (show) wrestling and afterwards the second part of Johnny English with Rowan Atkinson. Before going to bed Faleolo called me that she had to take another volunteer to the hospital tomorrow. She had an ear infection. So instead of 10.30h, she would pick me up later to show me Goshen Trust. She would show me the hospital another time. By the time Faleolo called, it was already 23.00h. I didn’t notice it was already late. I got to bed and tried to get some sleep. The dogs were quieter tonight, but I still couldn’t fell asleep quickly because of the time difference.
Next morning on Tuesday (27-jan-15) I woke up 06.00h, as also were the chicken. I stayed in my bed and got up at 8.15h. The whole morning I was working on my weblog in the Fale while it was raining. It is a nice temperature there. Now, you must be wondering what a Fale is. Well it is a nice place next to the house where you can sit. On the picture below you can see how it looks like. The wind can come through easily, and it doesn’t feel so hot. But beware, there are a lot of mosquitos there. When I sat there, Faleolo came around 13.30h to take me to Goshen Trust. To Goshen Trust is a 3-minute walk. The CEO and Dr. George (my supervisor) weren’t there at the moment. When we arrived the consumers or patients were just having their lunch. Faleolo introduced me to them, the accountant and another staff member. She also showed me the desk that shall be mine in the main building. I will and can tell you more about Goshen Trust and the hospital when I have actually started to work. I noticed that I felt very tired during the visit and said to Faleolo that I’d rather go home and have a nap. The original plan was that she would take me to town after the visit. So, the rest of the day I spent having a nap, eating dinner (beef with rice and vegetables) and after having a nice shower went to sleep at 22.30h. By the way, they don’t have a warm shower here. It is a luxury if you can shower warm. I thought that it must be nice having a cold shower in this heat, but I didn’t realize it was that cold. So all the times after that I boiled water and put it together with the cold water to a nice temperature. Just for now I would wash myself like this. Mainly because I got a cold. When it is over I try to shower with cold water and try to get used to it. The weather was also a bit nicer. It began raining in the afternoon.
The following day (Wednesday, 28-jan-15) the rain finally stopped. Waking up and getting out of bed at 08.00h I got ready to go to town. Faleolo had showed me yesterday where I could get on the bus. Here you don’t have actual bus stops or bus schedules. You just go and stand where the bus comes by. When I just came to the ‘bus stop’, I saw the bus come by. I was too far to catch it and had to wait for the next bus. The next one (15 min later) came from town. Two people who also waited for the bus said that I could get on this one. You just sit in the bus until you are at your destination. When you are at your destination you pay 1,50 Tala dollar (50 euro cent) when leaving the bus. As well as being able to go anywhere on the bus, you also can go out of the bus anywhere. You just pull the cord, a bell will ring, and the bus driver will stop. And whatever the distance is, you always pay $1,50. The busses also look very nice. I soon will make a picture of it and you can judge for yourself what you think of the busses. Also every bus looks different. The wooden benches inside however are not very comfortable. So, when I arrived in town I went to the pharmacy and supermarket. The most important things I needed were tissues, cough syrup and nasal spray for my cold. I must have got a cold after arriving here from weakness, the airco on the plane, the first cold shower, the fan and warmth outside. Next to having a cold I also got bitten by a lot of mosquitos. So as of today I spray myself with anti-insect, put on after bite stuff when it itches, drink my cough syrup and use the nasal spray. I can also blow my nose again with nice soft tissues, instead of the hard napkins I had to use after I had used all my own tissues brought from home. Being supplied I headed back to my house and took an afternoon nap (siesta ;). Meanwhile the sun was shining again. In the Netherlands I would be happy about it, but now I’d rather have rain. I worked on my weblog again and did some puzzles between the siesta and dinner. For dinner we had eggplant, rice and stirred fried vegetables with beef. The food is not that strange or different luckily. I had a nice shower afterwards and went to bed on time at 22.15h.
Well, that was it for the long trip and first days here in Apia, Samoa. The next blog won’t be so long, because I will be working and see the country. This means I don’t have so much time anymore as I have this week. I will put a lot of pictures and films here. A picture says more than a thousand words they say. Also I probably forget to tell about many things in this blog, but I have to save that for later and not making this blog any longer than it already is.
Naomi
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[message] => En toen waren de 4,5 maand alweer voorbij. Aan de ene kant lijkt het gister dat ik op Schiphol stond, anderzijds voelt het als heeeeeeeeeeeeeeel erg lang geleden. Ondanks de fantastische tijd, gave avonturen, leuke mensen en nieuwe ervaringen ben ik helemaal klaar om naar huis te komen en iedereen weer te zien (ook op mijn eigen bed en douche en nederlandse kaas kan ik me erg verheugen). Eind van de dag stap ik in het vliegtuig in Auckland en zal ik via LA(rare weg) vrijdagmiddag in Amsterdam arriveren, jippie. Maar nu tijd om mijn laatste maand nog met jullie te delen. Mijn laatste blog eindigde in Wellington waar ik een paar dagen gespendeerd heb. Helaas nog altijd met hoofdpijn, maar toch mijn verjaardag even gevierd met een groepje van de bus, hartstikke leuk. Zaterdags de ferry op en weer naar het Zuidereiland om de Westkust te bereizen. De eerste overnachting was in Abel Tasman national Park ( een Nederlander die als eerste europeaan NZ ontdekte maar er al snel weer vandoor ging toen de Maori achter m aan ging). Een super mooi park aan de Noordkust, waar ik met een aantal de volgende dag een 8-uurse hike gemaakt hebben, dit keer redelijk vlak dus goed te doen en heel erg mooi. De volgende dag door naar Blackball een mijnersplaatsje waarbij we nog een rondleiding kregen maar verder echt helemaal niks te doen was. Maar de volgende stop maakte dat helemaal goed: Franz Josef Clacier. Een waanzinnig mooie gletsjer waar ik per helikopter op gedropt werd. Weer een first-time-experience!! Na de helikopter 3 uur lang rondgehiked in volle uitrusting! Eind van de middag nog gratis-entree(bij aankoop van glacier-pass) in de spa's dus lekker zitten badderen. De volgende dag weer een lange dag in de bus, maar gelukkig met heel veel waanzinnige stops. Onder andere bij Lake Matheson, een spiegelmeer waarin je Mount Cook en Mount Tasman gereflecteerd ziet. Later nog bij een waterval, waar de busdriver ons vertelde om 40 sec in de waterval kijken en daarna naar de berg ernaast, waarbij de gehele berg lijkt te bewegen. Aangezien we al in spacende-sferen waren, kreeg ze ons makkelijk te pakken, door te vertellen dat als we nog iets gaafs wilde meemaken, we maar op een bepaald blad moesten kauwen. Dus even later had de hele groep een blad in de mond, waarna na 5 sec iedereen begon te schreeuwen omdat je mond in vlammen leek te staan. Niet heel gaaf dus! Via Lake Wanaka naar het plaatsje Wanaka. Waar we de volgende ochtend naar Puzzleworld gingen, waar ik onder andere 2,5 uur lang door een doolhof heb rondgelopen en de uitgang echt niet meer kon vinden. Op de weg naar Queenstown me laten afzetten bij Anne van Zweeden's huis, waar ik 2 nachtjes mocht verblijven. Heerlijk om even in een echt huis te zijn en lekker te kletsen. De volgende dag ben ik naar Queenstown gelopen, om nog wat spulletjes te kopen en ticket te printen. De weg terug naar Anne's hier verliep echter wat minder soepel. I.p.v. n uur lopen, was ik toch zeker al 2 uur onderweg en kwam ik er langzaam achter dat ik ernstig de verkeerde weg had genomen. Terug had niet veel zin aangezien er niks anders was dan weg, door blijven lopen tot ik half uur later eindelijk in een dorpje kwam, waar ik gelukkig (het werd al donker)een lift heb kunnen strikken. Weer een avontuur.
Nog een avondje op de bank en de volgende dag van Queenstown naar Auckland gevlogen. Om vanaf hier de volgende dag naar Samoa te vliegen. Maar eerst even: een super tijd in Nieuw-zeeland met een ongekend mooie natuur, heel veel aardige mensen en extreme activiteiten. Wel een beetje koud af en toe, dus tijd voor de zon. Ik vroeg om warmte en die kreeg ik ook, met m'n spijkerbroek en jas het vliegtuig uit was het zweten geblazen. Vanaf het vliegveld met een busje 45 min. naar Apia ( de hoofdstad en tevens ook de enige stad). Aangekomen in het Hostel moest ik nog even pinnen, waarbij ik ineens ernstig begon te twijfelen aan mijn besluit om hier heen te komen. Het was een vakantie-dag dus alle Samoaanse jongens hingen op straat. 'Talofa baby psshh psshh' hoorde ik van alle kanten, snel doorgelopen en mijn bed opgezocht. Wat ik het meest ranzige laken aantrof wat je je ooit zou kunnen voorstellen, wat mijn eerste indruk niet veel beter maakte. De volgende dag werd alles gelukkig veel zonniger. Ik kwam er achter dat mensen vooral heel erg nieuwschierig zijn naar waar ik vandaan kom en wat ik hier doe( zijn niet zo heel veel toeristen). Wachtend op de bus naar Saleapaga had ik dus om de 5 minuten wel een praatje met n Samoaan. Het was echter nogal onduidelijk of de bus wel of niet zou komen, maar uiteindelijk ontmoette ik Stef en Mike, engels koppel van 34 en 38, waarmee ik samen een taxi nam. Super lachen koppel met vele mooie verhalen over andere plekker in samoa. 4 dagen in Saleapaga gebleven in Fau Fau Beach Fales (prive-hutje op het strand, paradijs!) Diner en ontbijt waren inclusief, dus ik heb heerlijke samoaanse maaltijden op met vooral heel veel kokosnoot. Woensdagavond Fia Fia, wat feest-avond met traditionele dansrituelen inhoudt. Super gaaf om te zien. Uiteindelijk werd ik ook de dansvloer op getrokken en had ik al snel een aanzoek van een 15-jarige samoaan te pakken. Wat ik na lang wikken en wegen toch maar heb afgeslagen. Toen 2 dagen van storm en regen, regen is hier bizar, na zo'n 0,2 seconde ben je tot op je ondergoed doorweekt. Zaterdags naar Lalomanu doorgetrokken samen met Mike en Stef. Een super mooi strand en relaxte sfeer. Hier heb ik Sam ontmoet, een amerikaanse die 2 jaar op Samoa gewerkt had en er ook nog een Samoaanse vriend aan over had gehouden: 'Tele'. Met nog 4 engelse jongens een avond drankjes zitten doen. Wat eindigde in een nachtelijke zwem met zijn allen. Verder lekker op het strand. Maandags met de Engelse jongens de bus weer in terug naar Apia. De bus is een hele ervaring, gemaakt van hout open en met heel veel kleuren en muziek uit de speakers. Stampensvol en iedereen neemt allemaal goederen mee die her en der worden afgeleverd of opgepikt. Ze doen niet echt aan busstops maar pikken gewoon random mensen op aan de kant van de weg. Dagje in Apia rondgelopen en de volgende dag door naar Savaii(het andere eiland van Samoa) Eerste nachtje bij een hele lieve familie, mensen zijn hier ontzettend aardig, onthouden altijd je naam en komen steeds vragen of alles goed gaat en of je nog iets nodig hebt. De volgende dag met een Duitste en Zwitserse jongen een auto gehuurd. Zij waren al een tijdje samen aan het reizen, dus dacht dat zit wel snor, maar nee ze kregen ruzie, donders gezellig. Maar agh toch een groot gedeelte van het eiland kunnen zien, onder andere de 'Blowholes' waarbij de oceaan golven de rotsen in drukt, waarbij lucht en water met een gigantische kracht uit gaten in de rotsen spuit. Een oud samoaans mannetje liep rond met kokosnoten, dus voor een paar Tala wat kokosnoten gekocht om die op het juiste moment in de blowholes te gooien en ze 40 meter de lucht in te zien vliegen. Moest wel zorgen dat je op tijd weer weg was voordat een golf je te pakken had. Nog 2 nachten in Beach Fale aan de Zuidkust verbleven, waar heel veel samoaanse kinderen rondliepen die m'n nagellak heel mooi vonden. Voordat ik het wist zat ik de nagels van het gehele dorp roze te lakken, waarbij ik er nog altijd niet zeker van ben of ik nou ook per ongeluk een jongetje roze heb gelakt, hij/zij keek me wel een beetje angstig aan. Zaterdags terug naar Upolo(eerste eiland) waar ik in Apia weer met Sam en Tele meette. Nathan een NZ'er die ik op Savaii had ontmoet, kwam 's avonds ook mee naar de club. Een hele ervaring zo'n Samoaanse club, dansen gaat er nogal wild aan toe en ik was erg blij dat ik de jongens bij me had. Toch onwijs naar mijn zin gehad, al eindige de avond nogal ingewikkeld. Aangezien Tele (sam's vriend) ineens Nathan (die op jongens valt) ging versieren, waar Sam uiteraard niet heel blij mee was. Nogal een bizarre situatie waar ik ineens middenin zat , met veel drama, maar najah weer een verhaal. Biseksualiteit en travestieten blijkt ook nogal vaak voor te komen in Samoa. De volgende dag terug met z'n 3'en terug naar Lalomanu beach fales (waar tele werkt) om daar m'n laatste dagen op het strand te liggen. Om vervolgens weer terug te vliegen naar Auckland. Samoa krijgt van mij een 9, ontzettend mooi, lieve mensen, een bijzondere andere cultuur en onwijs lekker eten. Nu dus in Auckland wachten op mijn vlucht naar huis. Time to go home!
Feiten en weetjes NZ:
- Elke zin word geeindigd met "Sweet-as Bro!
- Er lopen ongekend veel schapen rond, zwarte schapen, bruine schapen, witte schapen, witte schapen met zwarte poten, witte schapen met een bruin hoofd, zwarte schapen met witte oren enz. enz.
- Er lopen ook ongekend veel koeien rond
- Elke berg/meer is nog mooier dan de ander
- Het het schoonste land is wat ik ooit gezien heb, ik ben geen enkel stukje afval tegengekomen. Mensen rapen zelfs altijd het kontje van hun sigaret op.
Feiten en weetjes Samoa:
- Er ongekend veel straathonden zijn
- er maar 1 stad is, de rest dorpjes van 10 huizen
- Alles op z'n Samoaans gaat, vooral zonder haast dus
- Samoanen de gehele dag door eten en allemaal ernstig overgewicht hebben
- Vissen op de vismarkt gewoon op tafel liggen (niks koeling of ijs)
Zo dat was het wel weer, er zijn natuurlijk nog veel meer verhalen maar die zal ik gewoon vertellen. Thuis zal ik ook weer is wat meer foto's gaan uploaden, dat duurt hier elke keer uren.
Liefs Anne
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[title] => Fa'afetai Samoa!
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3 maart vlogen we om 20 uur in de avond met Air New Zealand naar Apia op het eiland Upolu, de hoofstad van Samoa..Hoofdstad betekent hier een stadje kleiner dan Schiedam..Bear Grills gaf ons veiligheidsinstructies via een super cool filmpje..Waard om te googlen trouwens..Om 1 uur in de morgen landden we in Apia..Resultaat : Rest van de nacht op het vliegveld met een musquitocoil brandende op de stoep om de nacht uit te zitten..Niet wetende trouwens dat we alle nachten vanaf dan buiten zouden doorbrengen..Alles was dicht op het vliegveld, en via de pijp van ons musquitonet wisten we een map van Samoa te ritselen door de gaten van the tourism office..Je kan dus concluderen dat we goed waren voorbereid..not..
De eerste lichtstralen van een nieuwe morgen schenen op mijn gezicht, aangenaam kan ik je zeggen wanneer je hierop wacht! Om 6 uur in de morgen ging de eerste ferry naar het eiland naast Upolu, Savaii..Eenmaal aangekomen in Savaii kwam de zon door en begonnen we te lopen..Ik nog steeds in mijn lange broek en lange mouwen..Ik had binnen no time mijn eigen prive zwembad om me heen! Ons doel was Menasi, in het noorden van Savaii..Na een stuk te hebben gelopen, concludeerden we dat Menasi te voet wat te ver was, maar wanneer je tussen de locals wandelt en de schoolgaande kinderen, kun je je pas echt plaatsen in het land..
Savaii heeft maar een weg langs de kust van het eiland, dus echt moeilijk is het niet..De local bussen overigens hebben hun eigen timetable : Witte bussen, gele bussen, groene bussen..Welke bus gaat naar Menase??? Na een politieagent te hebben aangesproken, bleek het de groene bus te zijn, die over een uur zou arriveren..Geen busstops hier, geen tijden..Het is echt letterlijk hop on and hop af..De witte bus stopte voor onze neus met zijn voorkant in de richting waar wij heen wilden..Op dat moment spring je in de bus en zie je wel waar die stopt..En ja, halverwege werden we eruit geknikkerd, en begonnen we weer te lopen totdat ergens de groene bus ons zou passeren..Na een flinke tocht kwam daar aan de horizon ons lichtpuntje : De groene bus!
Aangekomen in Menase hadden we ons tegoed gedaan aan een koud biertje en een Fale op het strand : Dit is een traditioneel Samoan open hutje om terug te komen op het buiten slapen..Heerlijk!!! Prima snorkelen hier, en na wat vinnen te hebben gespot aan het wateroppervlakte zelfs nog getracht wat haaien te spotten..tevergeefs, want met low tide ligt het koraal vrijwel aan de oppervlakte, en daar wil je je buikje niet aan schaven ;) In Samoa breken alle golven vrij ver van de kust, wat betekent dat zich daar een rif bevindt..Echt grote vissen komen dus niet achter de wavebreak..Wat een geruststelling!
De Fale’s behoren min-of meer aan een familie..Je eet dus een soort van met de familie..Terwijl je je tegoed doet aan alles wat hier gefrituurd wordt, wordt ondertussen een varkentje of twee in de achtertuin geslacht..Dan verschijnt er een jongen van een jaar of 17 met een groot mes..Het went snel hier..De verhalen die de ronde gaan zijn zo goed om naar te luisteren! Ze vertellen alles met een glimlach en zijn onwijs open..Zo hebben we in het zuiden van Upolu op 2 plekken ook in een Fale geslapen, wat in 2009 door een Tsunami was getroffen ; Wij verbleven hier als enige bij 2 families die het vol hebben meegemaakt, en de enige 2 families waren die het allemaal hadden overleefd..Soort van instinct bij het uitkiezen ervan? Toen de verhalen ter tafel kwamen, kreeg ik best kippenvel..
Ik citeer : ‘De aardbeving was rond 6.45 uur in de morgen en was vrij heftig, nog geen 10 minuten later kwam de golf..We moesten de toeristen wakker maken, en wisten toen de zee zich terug trok dat de golf zou komen’ We renden allemaal de heuvel op, en ik hield me vast aan een palmboom..We zagen later mensen voorbij drijven, die we uit het water hebben gehaald om ze te identificeren..De buren hebben hun twee kinderen van 3 en 5 nooit meer terug gezien’ *slik*Ik vroeg me af hoe deze mensen wisten wat er zou gebeuren (de golf), omdat ze zo geremote leven van de buitenwereld : ‘Mijn broer was 2 weken ervoor bij ons op bezoek en woont in New Zealand..Hij had op het nieuws een Tsunami gezien en vertelde wat er gebeurde. Zodoende keek ik naar de zee na de heftige aardschok en wist ik dat we zsm de heuvel op moesten rennen’
Ik heb die nacht slecht geslapen, wetende dat onze Fale op het strand stond..Voor het eerst voelde ik me wat gespannen en passeerden verschillende scenario’s mijn gedachten..
Ray en ik hebben hier zo geremote geleefd even samen in Samoa..Het strand voor onszelf, mooie snorkeltochtjes langs de kustlijn..Het koraal is zich nu weer langzaam aan het herstellen na de Tsunami..Het is bijzonder om dit zo weer te zien groeien..Vissen waren er genoeg, en sommige koraalbanken waren onaangetast en zo groot als een bus..Ik heb een lesje kokosnoot openen gehad hier, en dit werd onze dagelijkse snack..Het was echt even leven in paradijs..Echt paradijs, want Samoa is (nog) niet commercieel ingericht op toerisme en je hebt dus dagen dat je niemand ziet..
De cultuur is echt om over naar huis te schrijven zo bijzonder hoe deze mensen leven en worden groot gebracht :
- De palmboom wordt ook wel ‘the tree of life’ genoemd ; De wortels kun je gebruiken als medicijn, de stam om te bouwen..Let wel, de stam absorbeert water, dus een vlot is geen goed idee..De bladeren als vloer / dakbedekking, de schors van de kokosnoot is excellent om te ontvlammen, de kokosmelk om te drinken en de kokos zelf om te eten..
- De traditionele tattoo is origineel van onder de knie tot aan de buik..Je bent als Samoan vrij om dit te doen, maar als je ervoor kiest moet je het helemaal afmaken..Doe je dit niet, dan beledig je je familie..Familie is zo belangrijk in Samoa, dat sommige jongens besluiten uit het leven te stappen, omdat de tattooing zo pijnlijk schijnt te zijn en ze het dus niet mentaal en fysiek kunnen afmaken..Dit is de traditionele manier van tattooing..Wanneer je het wel helemaal afmaakt, toon je ultiem respect voor je familie..De tattoo is erg gedetailleerd en als je goed kijkt beeld het oa een speer uit, wat staat voor het vangen van vis, en dus het kunnen zorgen voor je familie..Ik vind de traditionele tattoo bij een samoan echt een vorm van art, prachtig!
- Mensen hebben hier in hun dorpen een rank. Adhv hoe je je leven leidt, voor je familie zorgt, de tattoo word je rank bepaald..Elk dorp heeft een ‘high chief’ en een ‘talking chief’. Eens per maand komen de mensen van het dorp samen in een open Fale voor een meeting. Iedereen heeft zijn eigen plek adhv zijn rank. Hier worden dingen besproken. Wanneer je bijv. Met een bier in het openbaar wordt gespot, wordt dit besproken..Dit is een taboe, ook voor de familie en zo kun je je rank voor de rest van je leven wel vergeten. Hoe hoger je rank in je leven, des te hoger je grafsteen is.
- Er wordt tegen kids nooit bijv. gezegd ‘ga weg bij het vuur’ Ze zijn vrij om te leren, en leren door te observeren. Er wordt niks uitgelegd, en als je mee wilt gaan vissen, dang a je mee en kijk je hoe je vader het doet..Je hebt dus als kind een keuze hoe je je ontwikkeld en zorg kan dragen voor je familie, en dus je rank in life..
Al met al is Samoa een wereld apart en een parel in the south pacific. Ik heb een andere kant van leven hier gezien, en hoe mensen in hun dorp / families voor elkaar zorgen met alle respect. Een hele mooie en vooral positieve ervaring!
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Apia - Samoa 
