Day One (July 17, 2012)

Today was the first full day in American Samoa.  For the next three weeks I will be staying at Nu’uuli (pronounced New Eww Lee) Polytechnical High School.  I am sharing a classroom living space with 11 other girls. We have foam mats on the floor which so far are actually comfortable, but that could be just because I’m so tired. 

However, the cold showers are going to take some getting used to.  I think I broke a personal record for the shortest shower ever taken.  The water was so cold that when I washed my face I gasped for water.  I’m hoping showering mid-day will be better than first thing in the morning.

The school has the ocean on one side and the mountains on the other.  After a quick rain this morning there was a gorgeous double rainbow and the sun setting over the mountain was also spectacular.  

(Outside of the school)

The school has email so I can keep in touch and update my blog, but Facebook is blog.  Subscribe to my blog via email to be notified when I post something new.

The morning started out with “get to know you” activities on the beach.  We then broke up into groups to complete a scavenger hunt and start to navigate our way around the city.  I caught a bus with my group and made it back to the school without getting lost.  I was extremely intimidated by the bus system, but I think I will have it mastered in just a few more rides.

 (Our classroom for the day)

(View from the classroom)

For lunch today I had chicken with the bone still in it.  I know this may not sound like a big deal, but the people that know me well know how big of a deal it is.  I never eat anything with bones in it.  I can’t even remember the last time I did.  The chicken was very good.

Even though it is only 7:30 I am going to head to bed.  Tomorrow I start Samoan Language lessons.  Speaking of language I found out the village I will be teaching in, Leone, is pronounced Lay Own ee.