I woke up to a tap on my shoulder from my friend Dan and was surprised to see that we were already here at the Taufua Beach fales (south-east end of Upolu). As soon as we arrived, we were welcomed by two girls named Silia and Balo who introduced us to the area and surroundings while the others quickly made up the hut for us.
Opening up the tarp door to our fale was like releasing my childhood memories. Recollections of forts my friends and I used to construct when we were little and camping adventures with my family streamed through my head. Fales are like spacious tree houses on stilts. Their roofs are thatched with tweed and the sides sectioned by tar (to block the wind and rain). Inside lie 3 single mattresses, a standard overhead light, and mosquito nets to vend off the bugs. One would imagine this place as a prime tourist accommodation, but that’s not the case at all here. These Samoans seem to be truly happy the way they are and very satisfied with the life they live. At least everyone I talked to felt that way. I was interested if they ever got bored of their jobs: seeing, meeting, accommodating new travelers’ every day, however their answer still remained, “no, not at all.” This strikes me as a surprise! I believe it’s that initial exposure to travel and seeing a new beautiful place that ruins our stability. Do not get me wrong; I love this place! Honestly, this place is paradise, but there is no way I could be stationed in Upolu forever.
After dinner, we decided to go on a little night stroll. As we were leaving, I could have sworn I heard a faint stutter of my name in the distance. Then it repeated and I realized I was not actually going bonkers. “ah.. Jill?” Silia replied from out back of the office. “Where are you all going?” she shouted. I quickly recognized her friendly voice and replied, “I’m not sure, exploring?!” Frightened she might persuade us way from our adventure because of certain dangers. This wasn’t the case at all! “Can I come?” “Yeah of course!”
The first night was awesome-as! She gave us the full tour of her village: the church, police department, hospital, her home/fale (even introduced us to her cousins), as well as less expensive markets to buy vodka for 22 tala as opposed to 30 at the market nearest our fale. Silia then traded us off to one of her good friends to walk us back as she left to go home. Never did I feel so safe in the night! It seemed as if we always had people looking out for us and protecting us as one of their own.
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