Aloha Fridays: Stories from the South Pacific.

I may not have all the details exactly right, but I do know the facts.  My mom gave away my baby sister to a Samoan family (without realizing what she had done) and then had to "buy" her back with a case of beer and canned meat. 

We moved to Samoa, the first time, in 1977.  February, I think.  As we were unloading our few belongings from my grandparent's truck and packing it into the house next door, a strange Samoan woman offered to hold the baby (my sister M who was about 6 weeks old at the time) so that my mother could work unhindered getting us set up in the house.

A few hours later, when we were settled in and ready to enjoy dinner that my Samoan step-grandmother's house girls had prepared - my mother realized that the baby was missing.  A frantic search of the villages nearby located my baby sister sound asleep in the arms of her "new" Samoan mother.  My step-grandmother spent a few minutes negotiating with the woman and finally, with a case of beer and a case of canned meat, the woman reluctantly handed the sleeping baby back to my relieved mother.

I was three and a half and had only two little sisters at the time.  My sisters and I all had light blond hair, which fascinated many of the residents of the island.  Whenever we were out and about the island, strangers would reach out and pet our heads and finger our long blond hair.  It terrified me.  I had no idea why they wanted to touch me, but as a toddler, this attention would make me cry and I would cling to my mother and father, situating myself between them to prevent being touched.

L to R:  Me, Gary and A.

It was also about this time that I discovered ice-cream cones.  I was absolutely amazed that after I finished my ice-cream, I could actually eat the funnel shaped holder it came it.  I remember it was a hot, balmy evening and we had just seen the first Superman movie and as we were walking back to the market to catch a bus home, eating my ice cream, I heard singing up the way and listened in rapt attention to the beautiful voices calling out Samoan folk songs.  I came to understand that Samoans (some of them at least) love to sing.  They sing a lot and have naturally beautiful signing voices. 

And Samoan boys can sing so beautifully it would melt your heart.  I loved listening to the singing.  One such Samoan boy, that I fell in love with when I was five years old, was my uncle who was only two months younger than me.  But I loved him and wanted to marry him anyway.  I was crushed when I learned I couldn't marry him.  Gary has a beautiful singing voice and has produced at least one album I know of.  Check out his website: http://www.myspace.com/garykingmusic

Until next time, eat well, be well and be happy.  Tofa soifua.