Bucket List...Teuila Festival and Marching band

A couple of months ago, Mike and I created a "bucket list" of things we wanted to do while on our mission.  This week we made great progress on our list.  The next couple of posts will be devoted to some of the fun things we have done this week.

We wanted to watch the long paddle boats on the ocean.  (I know that is not what they are called, but I can't remember their real name.)  They were practicing for the races across the harbor.  Listen carefully and you can hear the drum beats to encourage and help them row together as a team.

We wanted to get a picture of one of the beautiful rainbows we have seen here on the island.  This is one of the only full rainbows I have ever seen.  It was breathtaking.  

We were downtown because it was the Teuila festival, which is the national flower for Samoa.  As part of the festivities, we got to watch these woodcarvers as they produced beautiful wood pieces.

This young man is hand carving a kava bowl.  For months, I have believed that it was done by machine because the carvings were so exact.  What a surprise to be able to watch this art form in process.

During the festival, they sit on the ground, sometimes on top of a woven mat, and work.  We were able to see plates and bowls in various stages of production.   What talented people! 

We have long wanted to watch the marching police band that performs everyday.  We were lucky and ended up standing in the perfect place for pictures.

It was really a thrill to finally see this band in action!

There was also fire dancing. After we got home, Mike told me that they were knives, not just batons.  I am glad I did not know this while we were there. I would have been very anxious. 

I was continually amazed at the singing and dancing.  For Samoans, this is a way of life for them.  Singing, dancing and bright, beautiful costumes.  (More to come)

In the middle of the evening, it started to pour and we suddenly had a tent full of wet spectators who had scrambled up from their spots on the grass.

Ten minutes later, the show went on...It was a wonderful week.