Samoa [Part 1]

3:00 AM, somewhere in the middle of the Pacific

After processing the impressions of the last few days in Hawaii, where feelings like loneliness and homesickness could not arise due to constant sensory overload, I slowly realize, 'Fuck, what am I actually doing here.' Instead of sitting on my camping chair on my balcony in Karlsruhe, just a few steps away from the refrigerator and REWE, I am currently flying to a Polynesian island without any preparation, without any idea how to get from the airport to my booked accommodation for one night.

6:25 AM, approaching Samoa

After hours of darkness over the Pacific, without any signs of human life outside the plane, I can sense the silhouette of Samoa through my window based on the lights of the two streets of the island. My doubts haven't completely disappeared yet, and I am very curious about what awaits me. Fortunately, I have brought the Aloha spirit from Hawaii, just letting everything come to me. After landing, we were greeted by a Samoan band and although I dutifully answered yes to some questions on the customs form (Yes, I have food with me, and yes, I went hiking in the last few days), I passed through customs without any problems. I still remember this calmness from Hawaii. However, doubts remain.

6:55 AM, in front of the airport building

And my doubts are gone. The similarities with Hawaii are limited to flora and fauna, but the friendliness of the Samoans puts a smile on everyone's face. After briefly explaining the bus system in Samoa (yeah, you just wait by the road and a bus will eventually come and you get on. They all go to the city), I stood by the road and surprisingly, a 'bus' came quickly. I then sat down on one of the two beer crates with my luggage. Clever of the Samoans to adjust the seats to their waist sizes. At least that's what I thought at first, until I realized that these benches are meant for two people. And so it happened as it had to, on the remaining 30cm next to my luggage and me, an ample Samoan woman sat down without warning, half on the seat, half on me, and I was pressed against my luggage. As it turned out later, it was the death of my toothpaste tube.

8:00 AM, Apia

After a unique bus ride with deafening, but very good music, I finally arrive at my accommodation, exhausted and after a short taxi ride. While in the Western countries of the world, one would have been kindly referred to check-in times from the afternoon and with luck, the storage of luggage would have been offered, I was brought to breakfast after a warm welcome, as if I were the lost son finally returning. It was then revealed to me that my Fale, a small wooden hut with a mattress, needed to be prepared quickly and that it was being done now, and my breakfast would be served. Afterwards, they would pick me up and bring me to my finished Fale, so that I could sleep peacefully for a while.

As said, so done, but after breakfast, I was drawn to the pool, where I lay alone with another girl who looked quite German. We quickly got into a conversation, and actually, no matter where you are in the world, you always meet Germans. More reports and pictures from Samoa will follow.

P.S.: due to my flight crossing the date line, which the Samoans independently moved some years ago and eliminated December 30, 2011, I am now ahead of you in time and no longer behind you. http://m.spiegel.de/wissenschaft/mensch/neue-zeitzone-samoa-laesst-30-dezember-ausfallen-a-805814.html