WOW We have a house

WOW we have a house! On budget so farJ The place where we are staying is in the village of Lotopa (Law Tore Par) There are a number of primary schools within walking distance and Peace Chapel is just down the road. The heat makes a 1 km walk seem like 3 but we’ll handle it. It is about 2 – 3 kms from Apia and the travel is flat. The house we have is very basic, No hot water, 5 rooms with 2 very old beds. It is as close to the Samoan lifestyle as possible. It is a family home on a family compound. The easiest way to describe it is: The traditional family land has been divided between family members and each has a section and house. Ours was the first original house so it’s pretty old. Family members can either live on their allocated lots or rent out? Prayers have been answered! There isn’t any internet access so it’s a matter of flash driving photos and updates to the local internet café.

We are finding that renting out houses is a common thing thanks to our rental car lady, Daphne originally from LA. We needed a rental car to go to go down to the local reality agent so Elizabeth sent me up the road to “CAROLINE RENTALS” and it all started from there! Not only did Daphne get us a rental car she also got us a rental house! It’s not what you know, it’s who you know! Pretty good deal on the car as well.

We are just deciding what school to send the children to and it isn’t as straight forward as back home. Schools can either run by semesters or ¾ terms so some schools are in their 1^st 2 weeks while others are on their last 2 weeks. It’s very expensive. The least expensive quote was $300.00 tala (tar la) per child for the one term to $700.00 tala per child with a one off payment of $400.00 tala toward the schools building fund. School starts at 8:00 A.M and finishes at 1.15 PM because of the heat. All of the schools we went to teach class in English and have a separate Samoan class that students can learn the Samoan language. Very multi cultured school, Fijian, Tokoluan, USA, Australia, NZ and so on!

To celebrate we went out for dinner to a Pizzeria across from Insel Fehmarn, called the Giordanos. Wonderful pizzas and the salads were tops!

The photos are at the back of our house, our rental car, before we went out and at the Pizzeria.

More photos to come of where we are staying after Saturday. Tomorrow Friday we’re going to do a drive around the island and check out some spots!! If you’ve ever watched “The Amazing Race” and seen how other countries drive….Samoa tops the lot, Elizabeth says!!!

Yep our rental vehicle!!













All dressed yp ready to celebrate our "Yes we have a home!!












Outside Giordians just across from our hotel......2 more sleeps and then we're into it!! The real Samoa!!











This is the back of our 5 bedromm basoc home!! It's how many others live and have lived for a long time! It's not a traditional fale and the area we live in is not governed by Fa'a Samoa. I'll more photos available soon. It is Basic!!!!









After dinner all filled up and happy! The pizza's were just great with Salads!!! Yummy












Waiting for our wonderful meal!!

Talia and Latia are mising home, Nana and School heaps...

Until next time God Bless and thanks for your prayers!!

Emile for the Grey Clan.

When I get the internet thing all sorted I'll have more Pics of around Samoa, Apia and off the tourist track!!