Our first move to the Pacific Islands was to WEstern Samoa!

Before I came to Samoa, I was at dinner in California with some friends when they introduced me to the concept of cross-dressing Samoan style. They had heard through a friend who had once visited Samoa that there is a culturally acceptable version of cross-dressing. Well, this is in fact true. The Samoan word for these men is fafafine. (I am sur...

Today is the 100th day since setting foot on this beautiful island! I was apprehensive about returning to my village last Monday. Not for any other reason than fear of the unknown. I had spent 3 nights there already, but none of them consecutive. I was about to immerse myself in the village for a four day stretch without the company of other vol...

Today was my favorite training day so far. We went out on a boat for "water safety" but ended up only snorkling. It was the first time I saw the island from a distance. It was indescribably beautiful. We anchored out on a tiny island next to Upolu. I had a blast. Me, Amy, Mark, and Josie are all going to get SCUBA certified once training is over...