Indifferently

There are a lot of things this true blooded West Texas girl is having trouble getting used to here in American Samoa. I have decided to put these minor to major differences in list form.
1. The geckos on the walls. I know I have stated this many times, but something isn't right when you turn on the light and they scatter all over the walls. I am glad they are here for 2 reasons though. A). They eat mosquitoes. And b). They are company when I am holed away in my apartment by myself. In fact, there is a small greenish gecko what looks minorly deformed that I have named Gimp.

2. The time change is a major downfall. My body is having a hard time adjusting to the time. I am ready to go to bed at 5, but I force myself to stay up until at least 9. The bad thing about that is that at 4 am I am up and at em. I have always been a little on the last minute and lazy side and I am having a hard time accepting that I am up before the birds and the sun.

3. The humidity. I really don't think I have to do much explaining. Right now we are just starting Spring in A.S. and it is only about 85 degrees outside. Coupled with the 100% humidity makes it a different story though. My body is trying to adjust although it's having a hard time. My deodorant isn't working and I actually stink when I come home at night which is a pleasant thought. I would spray myself down with perfume but the humidity changes the way that it smells on my skin to an unpleasant musk.

4. The dogs. The dogs in American Samoa are heartbreaking until they attack with deadly force. I am going out on a limb here, but I think that there may be more stray dogs that American Samoans. The sad thing about this is these are not the cute and cuddly dogs. These look like a cross between dead and hyena usually with all sorts of painful ailments. Its hard to see dogs without legs and with tumors all over their bodies waste away to skin and bone, but these things are vicious. These dogs fight with a vengeance that I have never seen. I am woken up 3 or more times a night because of it. It is scary. I don't go anywhere near them if I can help it.

5. Tuna. Both Starkist and Chicken of the Sea process and package all of their tuna here. They package it in a string of warehouses. I went on a tour of the island and had to drive past the 5+ warehouses, and I was nauseated. It is a stench that is worse than anything I have ever smelled. All of the workers are outside rotating though breaks so you don't want to hold your nose while you are driving though, and it's too far to hold your breath. So inevitably you end up breathing it in. Even if you happen to breathe it in your mouth, you taste a rancid smell. I really intended on coming here and being open to new foods, but tuna isn't one of them. I know you are never supposed to say never, but I can almost guarantee that I will NEVER allow tuna to touch my lips.

6. Coke. I am using coke as a broad term here for any caffeinated beverage. I went to the knockoff Sams (Cost U Less) yesterday fully intending to purchase a Coke product of some kind, because I have not had a Coke since I stepped foot off the plane. That's 4 days for those of you who were wondering. Anyway, a 24 pack of Coke here is 18 US Dollars. That comes out to 75 cents for 12 ounces or 6 cents an ounce. I just can't do it. Mr. Pibb was even like 15 dollars for a 24 pack. Who drinks Mr. Pibb?


The island is great though just different than I am used to. I am so thankful that I am here though. Beautiful scenery and friendly people. I am really excited to live and learn this culture for this year.