Hawaii resident impressed with culture

By Soli Wilson 21 December 2018, 12:00AM

Hawaii resident Frances Draut is in Samoa for the first time and is finding the country “hot and humid” but she likes it here.

She is in Samoa for two weeks and is staying at the Coconuts Beach Resort at Maninoa, Siumu.

“A friend’s friend of mine owns a resort, her partner didn’t want to come so she brought me along for a visit,” said the 60-year-old tourist.

She said she loved snorkeling with the giant clams at the marine reserve and seeing waterfalls on the eastern side of the island.

“I have been doing a lot of relaxing and I can’t say swimming because I can only float,” she said and laughed. 

While trying to learn the local culture during her stay, she discovered that Samoan culture is different from what she is used to.

“It’s [a] very different culture here; families are really important here and that’s nice. It’s very nice. It’d be difficult for me, because I make my money and I take care of myself but you folks care for your whole family. 

“You make the cheque, you work overseas and you send it back for the family, so that’s just not one person.

“I don’t know about it being hard, but it would be very different for me because I’m from a big family also, but everybody makes their own money and do your own,” she added. 

Originally from Chicago, Frances has now lived in Hawaii for more than 40 years and says she is enjoying her relaxation time in Samoa.

“In Hawaii there are too many cars and too many people, but here it’s nice because there are not too many people. And the people have been beautiful so far, very nice too and friendly and everybody speaks English so it’s easier for me,” she said.

When Samoa Observer asked Frances what she would love to take back with her, she said she was looking for cotton sarongs to take back home.

By Soli Wilson 21 December 2018, 12:00AM
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