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I've lived there. It's not quite what you expect. Imagine a country totally dependent upon handouts from the American Government to survive. Whenever a new governor or Speaker of the Fono takes over, he appoints all of his friends and relatives to all the Government Positions. Of course, all of the relatives of the former Speaker are all still there, so you have several people doing the work of one. A lot of patronage- of the governmental and the commercial variety. But still, a wonderful place where the people can be quite friendly and loving too. Here's a list of To Dos:

1. Buy the Lonely Planet Guide to Samoa, published by your folks down under. The best guide. Read the section on manners and protocol. Contrary to popular opinion, there is a lot of protocol and strict behavior codes in Samoa.

2. DOnt expect the people to laugh at anything more sophisticated than slapstick humor.

3. If you're an atheist, for heaven's sake don't tell anyone. Even agnostics will get pressured till they break down and express a preference for a single religion, at which time everyone will breathe a sigh of relief.

4. Never throw a party featuring a food buffet or a no host bar. The first 3 people down the line will pull out plastic bags, throw all the food in the bag, and then happily go home.

5. Never let someone live with you "for a short time until they get on their feet." You'll be supporting them until you go home.

6. Overlook pilfering. Its going to happen, and its considered not dishonest, but "sharing."

I'll write more when I have time.

Oh yeah,

7. Bring some of that medicine for body lice (scabies) cause you're going to catch it sooner or later. You'll most likely catch it in some hotel or "western style" home.

8. The cleanest, freshest, coolest place to stay in is someone's fale. These native houses take full consideration of the environment into their planning design- unlike western brick houses which are stuffy, hot, and insect filled. Take a mosquito net- they sell them at Ikea.

I met a Samoan family newly immigrated to the U.S. several years ago. Their son skipped a few classes at school, and the parents were mystified why the school didn't send someone to haul him to class every morning. They said that "at home" the government always does that.

I found the family to be very friendly and capable, but extremely dependent. The father was from one part of Samoa, the mother from the other half, I can't remember which was which, now. The dad was a bantam, dark and edgy, but friendly and anxious to be helpful. The mom was tall, very calm, actually very beautiful. They said they'd been dreaming of moving to the U.S. for many years.