Layover in New Zealand

It’s Thursday here in Samoa and I can hardly remember how that came to be because the day lost has never come back since we lost it in New Zealand.  I do know it is Livvy’s birthday in Idaho, so Happy l5th birthday Livvy!  Our stay in New Zealand was wine and dine, teach a little, wine and dine, teach a little more.  Brother and Sister Jacobsen were amazingly kind and generous people.  

 

We were able to attend a New Zealand Ward, walk along Takapuna beach and and drive two hours to attend the New Zealand Temple.  Brother and Sister Jacobsen had a large van and only three couples would fit in it, so Sister Jacobsen would drive their car when we all went together.  It has been great getting acquainted with the Stonehockers (Sava’i) , Deckers (Fiji), Jacksons (Institute, Apia). 

Arriving in the airport was very surreal and seemed like we were in one of those tourism shots.  The ocean was beautiful, the airport was quaint and surrounded by beautiful flowers and wonderful FRIENDLY coconut skinned people.  Many are members of the church and start visiting with you about their children and missionary service.  A young Samoan elder sat in front of us on the plane and he was actually from Pocatello, Idaho, but also had family still in the islands. 

As we came through customs which was the most simple out of any country we had been in, there was a Samoa group singing with guitars and you knew you were in the Islands.  The Samoans are a handsome and beautiful people, with broad smiles and one does not see so many heavy, big Samoans.  They are tall, but I’m sure do not get the large amount of food like we have in the United States.  The airport was a long drive from the Pesega School.  The only highway is around the edge of the Island with few roads into Apia and very, very, few to the inside of the Island.  As we drove, which was pretty slow, there were tagata(people) walking along the road very close to the cars, even the school children, (many of them dressed in their school uniforms.  There were fales(homes) all along the way with some with the traditional thatched roof and some with the tin sheets that were often patched and rusty.  The houses are totally open so the breeze blows right through.  Beams support the roof to hold up the roof and provide natural air conditioning.  A few had walls and even a few curtains at the windows, but basically one could tell these were people that simply lived off the Island to sustain them .  But for every few houses, there was a fale that was open without rooms and I’m sure that was for all the gatherings of families and tribes for their many social gatherings.  The homes are quaint and rather poor looking but the yards and foliage is beautiful!  It is truly a paradise in the landscape.

Right now outside our apartment they are mowing, weed whacking, and maintaining yards for the school.  When we arrived at our apartment, we started unpacking and I have way TOO many clothes.  It is hot and humid, but it seems to bother Grandpa more than me.  We had some funny little flies, and found a few dead little centipedes in a crisp circle, but no cockroaches.  We did see one in Jackson’s apartment, and they are quick and pretty good size.  I Laughed out loud at Brother Jackson trying to step on it, because they scamper so fast!  After we unpacked a little, Brother Goodlet took us down-town Apia to get a few groceries and get Samoan money at the bank.  I got very few things because I had no idea what to get.  I am now making a list and trying to figure out what I can cook or bake.  Everything is smaller here including the fridge, stove, and bathroom, but it is great after living out of a suitcase.  We ate supper out with four other couples, but we paid for our own this time.  We now face survival of the fittest!  With old couples that is no joke!  Brother and Sister Winters are from Idaho Falls and he is over finance.  He was a banker in Idaho Falls and knows the Driscolls quite well.  Sister Winters seems to have a real challenge walking but never complains.  Well Grandpa is back with a car in his possession and he looks a little pale!  He had to take a sub van because our automatic transmission van is being used and he has a standard shift with the clutch on the right, and of course driving on the right in the car.  The streering wheel is on the right side andgrandpa keeps getting in the left door to drive. I can tell this is going to be a learning experience.  We both have to get drivers licenses later in the afternoon, and I doubt I’ll drive ever!  I will add more to this later because Grandpa ( I better start calling him Elder Hammond) is going to add some pictures so it will be a little cut and paste.  We will call soon on our stalwart “Magic Jack”.  Tofa Soifua!

                                                          "WE ARE NOT IN KANSAS ANYMORE!"