Pictures from the 4th of July

I know its been a long time since I’ve posted, but my mobility has been decreased because of a painful boil thats developed on my foot. A boil is an infection at the base of a hair follicle. The body sections the infected area away from the rest of the body and it continues to grow until it burts (or you pop it). My father told me not to put a picture of it up, but I thought the graphic description would be enough. Being on my foot its really painful to walk. I was given antibiotics pretty early on, so hopefully my body can kick the boils ass before it starts pussing. Its already much better and I think my guys are winning.

Anyway, I know that its been a week since the 4th, but I would have posted this earlier had I been able to get to Apia. I think that all Peace Corps would agree that it was a great time. The festivities were held at the Robert Louis Stevenson Museum. There was a US Navy boat that was in town as well, and it was decieded that we would have a friendly softball game between Peace Corps and the Navy. Not to gloat too much, but we kicked their butts 14-4! I even got an run and an RBI.

Following the game we were treated to a BBQ dinner that included hot dogs, fuly cooked chicken and beans without tomato sauce*. Both the Prime Minister and the Samoan Head of State were there. Then streamers were handed out (unfortunately fireworks are not allowed in Samoa). A good time was had by all. Enjoy the pictures:

Me at bat

Me on second after my double

The Final Score

The food tent

Matt’s looking sophisticated

The Navy band

Miss Samoa and her sister sang the national anthem

Getting the streamers out

Having fun with long exposures

*This has been a real problem for me, as all the canned beans I’ve bought here has always been in tomato sauce. I even found this can that claimed to be “Boston Baked Beans” and it was also in tomato sauce.  Being from the Bay State, that made me very angry.