I stopped to take a few pictures of a parade tonight, only to get caught up in a fundraising effort "to pay for our bus fares tomorrow". Only in Samoa!
These guys make a real song and dance about their fundraising - literally. The girls danced to the brass band and the parishioners put their donations in the bowl. It's counted after each dancer. I'm sure they compare them all.
The church I got caught up in is in Saleimoa village half way between the airport and Apia. The Catholic church is right on the main road with their Mary statue lit up all the time. It's quite a sight actually so it was nice to see the inside of the church. Hmmm. Actually the service is held outside so inside this church is actually inside/outside.It was quite special sitting there in the balmy outdoors watching the whole thing. Even the passing rain didn't cause any of us a problem.
Their parade also began on the main road - yup the main road - and ended up with a rosary outside in the rain. Not being a Catholic and not speaking Samoan, this was a 45 minute challenge!
The procession was the band followed by an old car covered in Tapa cloth and the entire congregation.One of the parishioners collared me (Samoan women have no worries about being forward) and her sister, cousin, friends and Pastor all got hold of the Palagi for photos or something.
Lui the pastor made it clear that the "rich" Palagi was going to help them all with their fares. It is the only day I didn't have any money - just a dozen coins. He got them all.
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