From a local Samoan’s viewpoint
With wide eyed wonder I listened to Miko’s story. He is Samoan, a tsunami survivor and tour guide. He invited us to join him for a day and learn about plants, herbs, natural medicines, preparing and cooking local food and family life. With sadness he told us his story of leaving his son at home while he went to Apia, Samoa’s capital city, without knowing it would be the last time he saw him. En-route to the path leading to his house we passed 6 little graves – his neighbour’s children.
Watching the activities around me, it was hard to understand their attitude. They were sad; frustrated at the lack of funds they had received, unsettled and living on someone else’s land. Yet they laughed easily, sang as they worked, spoke with optimism. I complain when my local shop runs out of my favourite rice and I have to walk across the road to another shop to buy it. They walked a mile with energy and purpose to buy stale bread. I get irritated if I have to eat the same meal twice in a row. They were so thankful to have enough coconuts for snacks, drinks and main meals.
Sitting on the rough ground learning how to open coconuts, make traditional food, listening to the family’s story I felt humbled. Here they were building their lives, grateful for their family and starting their own business without complaining, without trying to gain sympathy or feeling sorry for
Responsible Tourism
Another thought that struck me as we talked was how Miko earned an income. He wanted to provide tourists an understanding of the natural environment they were staying in. Tourists descend on island paradises bringing their array of baggage expecting to enjoy the luxuries of home without understanding the impact on the environment by putting unnecessary pressure on fragile ecosystems, wasting precious water and leaving their rubbish to pollute the environment.
Miko was hoping to show tourists another side to island life – local life and share local knowledge. However, he said often his invitation to join him was met with blank stares and a dismissive wave of the hand. He found that most people were only interested in swimming in the sea, eating at the hotels and not putting anything into the local community. Though tourism is an important money earner, sadly not much of it found its way into the local community.
Sitting on the resort deck watching the sunset I examined my own attitude to travel, the environment and local community. It was challenging and I extend the challenge you.
Do you travel lightly, leaving only the imprint of your friendliness or do you leave a more fragile environment filled with your unwanted rubbish? Do you buy local, eat local and take part in local activities or allow yourself to be cocooned by international tourist operators that rake in the money but don’t spread the wealth locally?
As travellers let’s benefit the land we explore!
Other posts on Samoa that you might like:
What you need to know about Samoa
My take on Samoan road rules
A place to escape to