What a pleasure it was to spend the day with Senerita and her husband Senio. They arrived in LA after an 11 hour flight from Samoa. Senerita's first comment to me was "This country is very, very big." She had heard about the size of the city from the airplane arriving, but I guess that doesn't mean much until you see it for the first time. We headed straight to their hotel in Santa Monica, a very nice place right on the beach. Here's their reaction to the lobby...
After settling into their room, we took a walk on the beach and then up to the 3rd St. Promenade for a little flip-flop shopping (they got matching flip-flops from a surf shop), a latte and some eye-opening stops in places like the Apple Store. There were so many little things that made me realize how different their life is in Samoa. For example, when we stopped at the coffee shop and I asked if they wanted to sit down or walk, they were confused. After a while, they let me know that only people that have 'nothing in their head' walk when they eat or drink. Sitting for a cup of coffee was a bit unusual for me...made me realize that we are accustomed to very different paces. However, as for similarities, they reassured me that they had some drunk people on Samoa too after a crazy guy walked by yelling at imaginary enemies. Here they are on the 3rd St. Promenade.
After a nice long walk, we returned to the hotel so they could drop off their old shoes before going out for some dinner. We met my wife at a good fish place and after about ten minutes, they proceeded to give us beautiful gifts from their village. Senerita gave me a traditional Samoan shirt (which will clearly be the hit of any Luau Party) and then proceeded to give my wife a traditional wrap and a handmade necklace. After admiring how nice the necklace looked, she then took off her earrings and gave them to my wife. She then took out her hair thingy (I have no idea what it's called) and gave that to her...and then her ring...It was like she was so enjoying giving these gifts, she didn't want to stop. It was really quite beautiful.
Tomorrow morning, we're on a plane to Philadelphia. It was interesting explaining to them that they'd be receiving a wake up call and then breakfast delivered to their room before I picked them up.
And to bring it all down to Earth, the first thing they both wanted after arriving at the hotel was a good smoke outside in the fresh air...at least I convinced them to get American Spirits. They did like the idea of a cigarette without chemicals.
After settling into their room, we took a walk on the beach and then up to the 3rd St. Promenade for a little flip-flop shopping (they got matching flip-flops from a surf shop), a latte and some eye-opening stops in places like the Apple Store. There were so many little things that made me realize how different their life is in Samoa. For example, when we stopped at the coffee shop and I asked if they wanted to sit down or walk, they were confused. After a while, they let me know that only people that have 'nothing in their head' walk when they eat or drink. Sitting for a cup of coffee was a bit unusual for me...made me realize that we are accustomed to very different paces. However, as for similarities, they reassured me that they had some drunk people on Samoa too after a crazy guy walked by yelling at imaginary enemies. Here they are on the 3rd St. Promenade.
After a nice long walk, we returned to the hotel so they could drop off their old shoes before going out for some dinner. We met my wife at a good fish place and after about ten minutes, they proceeded to give us beautiful gifts from their village. Senerita gave me a traditional Samoan shirt (which will clearly be the hit of any Luau Party) and then proceeded to give my wife a traditional wrap and a handmade necklace. After admiring how nice the necklace looked, she then took off her earrings and gave them to my wife. She then took out her hair thingy (I have no idea what it's called) and gave that to her...and then her ring...It was like she was so enjoying giving these gifts, she didn't want to stop. It was really quite beautiful. Tomorrow morning, we're on a plane to Philadelphia. It was interesting explaining to them that they'd be receiving a wake up call and then breakfast delivered to their room before I picked them up.
And to bring it all down to Earth, the first thing they both wanted after arriving at the hotel was a good smoke outside in the fresh air...at least I convinced them to get American Spirits. They did like the idea of a cigarette without chemicals.
Welcome to the States. Enjoy your stay.
Woahh those are some sweet gold shirts. I can't wait to meet Senerita and Senio tomorrow at the Kiva Launch Party!