local resources AND and a Supersized McDonalds

hmmmm..last post january 23, been a long time..new thoughts are here.

in the pictures...the inside of ANZ bank in Apia, very modernized; two workers at AST Industries, selling...many different things.One of my brothers works there. He buys me coke and chips when we ride the bus back to the village together. Hiking down off the mountain where many satellite dishes and cell phone towers live. it was a good hike, with good views. the two people in the picture are an Aussie (lawyer), and NZelander(Risk management at ANZbank).

1/26
talking with another PCV who has been here a while… “mobilizing resources withing communities is what will really be sustainable. And finding the materials and knowledge within country/community.” Something I will try to keep in mind. So much external money coming into Samoa. I hope I can teach some people some computer skills during my two years—a very short time, really. PCVs write a lot of grants—I haven’t done one yet. I guess it can be helpful, but what I really want to od is work with someone from the village that wants to learn how to write grants. The “village grant writer”

So I have yet to try and fix one of the computers that doesn’t work in our computer room/library. I hear there is a computer repair shop in Apia—have not been in it yet.

I played ultimate frisbee with some Austrialian volunteers a few days ago. I guess it will be a regular thing—Mondays/Thursdays. Too bad I’m not living in Apia;( I wonder if there will be much UF intwo years in my village (update—vice principal says next Friday (sports day) we’ll do some ultimate!!) all the australian volunteers live in Apia and work at organizations—different than PCV, many of whom live in villages. One of the Aussie vols said that is their approach—to make sure the government can do it the right way. I guess it takes both kinds—of help (fesoasoani).

It is still hard to find time to be alone, time to read. People are always around me. My definition of personal space is being redefined—especially when I eat. People hover very close to see how I eat.

I’ve been listening to a lot of different music—from other PCVs. I like the music that feels the flowing and stacatto…distinct starts and ends..not jumbled overlapping sounds that get in the way of each other. Here’s what’s on right now: Calexico, Karsh Kale, Bach, George Benson, Mozart, Neil Young, Miles Davis, Despina Vandi.

Writing postcards to my family and friends—I got really sad---started writing I miss home, I miss you. I love you..on all of them.

Fire is what killed Andrew. Fire(spirit) is what I work with..ignite in others. Not just children. Adults can be ignited (again). It’s never too late to teach an old dog new tricks, or a new dog old tricks. We already know then. Forgotten. Amnesia be thy gone from you now.


1/21 McDonalds
The McDonalds experience—expensive fast food. Ice cream. Little kids selling anything from coconuts, to fans, to bandaids, to chips. I had a cup of hot water for my siamini (noodles) and a coconut to drink (which I bought from a kid, not McDonalds). It seems to be thing to do to come to McDonalds and tank on fast food.

There are large boats here in Samoa too (just like the little town of Astoria,OR). One is named the Amsterdam, part of the Holland Cruise line. Richard from FL is on the 180 day shoot around to many different places package…in Samoa for one day. Too much to see. But he said something interesting to me b4 we parted: “thanks for stopping me.”

Now when I look up at the night sky I see the sillohet of the breadfruit tree, our fale—still too much light for me…a lot less than boston.

Bumpy the bus to Apia

Bumpy the bus to Apia
Angry brown river shows white fangs
Little girl swings on scaffolding
As it licks lips, rising to the top
Small puddles now the 1000 lakes of Samoa.
Talking about God.
Not being able to let guard down
Jump on the fantabulous innertube
Bounce on down,
The ocean awaits.

--Matt Crichton
1/21/08


1/16
John’s b-day..we celebrated.it was yummy…mom’s package came. It had lots of stuff in it…$123….mmm..110proof rum + coke + lime= I float away on a coconut dream aboard the manu Samoa lava lava express. When you intake liquid for volume, you have to be careful what you have in your hand.
Contents of the package included: 3 aerobies, presentation covers, 49ers hat, 2 poloshirts, quick dry towel, water bottle holder, pedals from my bike at home, helmet, biking gloves, seat + post, bar ends, underwear!, 8 toothbrushes, 4 tubes of toothpaste, 2 journals, 2008 calendar, playing cards, stickers, 5 notebooks, two 4 color pens, 20 blue pens, push pins, a 4GB flash drive, map of USA and world, Oregon Chai (yummY), santa clause christmas card, and a small bag to replace the current one that was falling apart.