The rain was chubby.

Chubby rain.

This picture has absolutely nothing to do with American Samoa.

Chubby rain was one of the first things that I thought when I landed in Pago Pago.

The rain was chubby.  Big fat drops beating down...minus Eddie Murphy.

I left Honolulu on Monday at 4:40pm.  I sat next to this weird lady.  She was dressed in a suit and heels and pretended like I didn't exist.  She was sitting originally to a young man, and flirting with him.  Then she saw me and I was like that is my seat.  He left. And she looked me up and down, and made no attempt to hide her disdain we would literally touch elbows and breathe the same air.  Oh, this is going to be fun...

Instead - I just put my headphones on, blasted my favorites songs, finished reading Bossypants, and whipped out my gourmet meal that I prepared...yeah, lady, I know it looks good...it's prime rib with au jus, roasted asparagus and carrots..and chocolate banana almond cookies.  And if you weren't so mean girly to me I might have offered you some.

Anywhoooo - I took a nap and woke up just before we landed.  It was pitch black and I couldn't see anything out the window though I squinted and tried.  It was freakin' hilarious...the moment that we touched down, the windows immediately began to fog up and beads of condensation streamed down.
It was 88 degrees and 80% humidity at night!  Of course, duh doy!

We exited the plane via stairs and walked across the tarmac to immigration, where I tried to squeeze into anything resembling a line.  I waited about 30 minutes..dressed in my heaviest clothes - I was dying.  Finally I presented my passport and was waived through.   Baggage claim was right next after the immigration.  I had a feeling that my luggage would be the last to arrive since I had departed from Sacramento.  So I found a good corner, took off my backpack, polished off my water and got comfy.
Anyone coming to American Samoa I strongly suggested you drink as much as you can beforehand and bring a water bottle.  I guarantee that by the time you make it to baggage claim you WILL be dehydrated!

I think I was sitting there for 30-45 minutes. I really don't remember.  I saw the crowd thin out.  And when it was a handful of us - I saw those beautiful purple stripes sashay down the runway.
With its many well-placed handles, I easily snatched them off the conveyer.  And bless the man who invented spinner wheels because I didn't have to drag or roll those babies behind me. Instead I pushed them in front of me like they were on a cloud!

My ordeal was not over yet.  I still had to go through customs.  Thankfully, the guy just wanted to chit chat.  I laughed at every joke, and he finally waived me through.  When I exited the building, I eagerly scanned the welcome signs for my name - sadly none.  The airport was a complete zoo - it felt like the chaos that happens after a concert or major league game.  I placed my luggage against pillars and leaned on them... I felt so sticky and heavy with sweat.  I stared at the fountain and wondered if I could overcome my germ phobia enough to stick my feet in there...the answer is hell no.

Then is started to rain....chubby rain. making loud smacking sounds.
And of course, at that moment, my supervisor appears.  We ran to her truck and threw my luggage in the back.  You can only drive 25 mph on the island.  My housing was not ready so she decided to take me in.  I was apprehensive at first because after a 15 hour transit, I really wanted just to be alone and be disgusting in private.  But I was very grateful. For at the end of my journey waited a clean and warm home with everything I could possible want.

I stayed in her daughter's room. With my luggage and her love for Dora the Explorer, they looked like they belonged to her!  I had a nice long shower and put on my pajamas.  We laughed and joked for a bit, and said good night.  With a cool fan and a cool breeze, the chirping of a million crickets lulled me to a deep sleep.

The next morning I woke up at 6AM...I had a choice...lay around all day or start working.
What do you think I chose?

Yeah....I'm a glutton for punishment.