Two Days with Rory- in American Samoa

 

 

Point to Ponder: The people we meet every day is to teach us the dos and don’ts in life. It's really amazing. – a comment in last week’s reflection from CJS -Malaysia

Story Line: As I came down the elevator and entered the lobby of our hotel in Pago Pago, a tall white gentleman greeted us, “Hi! I am Roy West. You can call me Rory. I am going to take you around today.” For a minute it was a surprise because I was expecting a Samoan person to be our tour guide. But then I realized that the place was American Samoa; a part of USA territory. Samoa, an independent country was two days away per our itinerary.

The first place he took us was a garden nearby and introduced us to some local plants, herbs and fruit trees. In a later conversation we found out that he had graduated with specialization in a field of Botany from SF State.  As we drove through the beautiful tropical scenery with rainforests, volcanic mountains, majestic views of the ocean, beaches and small towns, Rory told us that he is originally from Oklahoma. At the age of 22, during a trip to Samoan islands, he fell in love with the area; nature, people and the lifestyle. He decided that it is the lifestyle he wanted and moved to American part of Samoa. He earns his living through landscaping and tourist guide professions; both in alignment with what he loves.

During the day he told us about the history of Polynesia, Culture, Plants and Wildlife. We noticed some beautiful homes that seemed abandoned. Rory explained that some of those belonged to outsiders who had moved to AS for its lifestyle but did not integrate with the local culture. That created resentment and noncooperation from locals and eventually outsiders got frustrated and left. Except for Pago Pago, the largest population city (appx 5000), American Samoa is made of many small villages with village councils as administrators. Understanding their rules, protocols, hierarchy is very important to be accepted; which he himself had done well. He lived in the remote area in the woods, his children and grandchildren went to village schools, he respected and followed cultural norms and mixed well with the local people.

Every town we went, people knew Rory. Even on a mountain top with a majestic view, where Miss Pacific Islander was doing a photo shoot, every one including her knew Rory. Rory has ten children and many grandchildren. While passing by a small town, we noticed kids playing in a school yard. Rory stopped and introduced us to two of his granddaughters. In a conversation about future opportunities, Rory said “All that you have to do is to teach your kids Farming, Fishing and Fixing essential things. Then let them go through their own thinking and they will figure out.”

A while later, when we had a compelling need to use restroom, Rory just pulled his car in to one small village home. He told us that we can use the restroom in the house. It belonged to his ex Wife. His elder son welcomed us and gave us drinks after we had accomplished the main purpose.

Rory’s stories were plenty and very captivating. After eight hours we still wanted to hear more. While dropping us at our hotel at Sunset, he invited us to join his wife and friends for the country music concert that night.

We had connected beyond the normal customer supplier relationship.

We went to our room to take little rest. Next thing we know is our room phone was ringing at 8 AM the next morning. It was Rory. He had assumed that we were jet-lagged and must have fallen asleep. But it was a new day and he wanted to know if we would like to join him and grandchildren to visit western part of the island. He came with some more grandchildren and a son we had not met the previous day. After enjoying majestic beauty of turtle and shark beach, we went for lunch where we met another one of his granddaughters and also more locals who knew Rory.

An hour later as we were clearing Immigration at Pago Pago airport to head to Samoa (an independent country), the immigration lady asked if we had enjoyed our stay. When I mentioned our experience with Rory, she said with excitement “Rory? Rory West took you around? My brother is married to his daughter.”

Even on our last stop, someone knew Rory. (Reminded me of that famous Maxwell house coffee ad “Good to the last drop.”)

Reflection: In one conversation during the day through the rainforest, noticing Rory’s very basic features cellphone, I said something about the Silicon Valley and Steve Jobs. Noticing no reaction from Rory, I said “You know who he is, right?” Rory replied, “I know who Rory West is; the person who believes in the life, liberty and pursuit of happiness for all.” Then he looked at me and said with a smile, “Of course I know who he is, but you will hardly find anyone here who really knew who he was.” I understood. He was telling me to be in the present. Here. Now. Today. Out there Silicon Valley made no difference; not in the beauty and the wonders that were all around me.

Well, for the rest of the stay, I immersed myself in the surroundings and carried a bounty of wonderful memories to last a lifetime.

 

High Resolution Version of the video American Samoa

Comments

[Amy]

Rory’s life is called contentment. He lived a simple life and made sure he is happy and satisfied. As far as the outsiders who did not integrate with American Samoan too sad. Outsiders must want to bring their western American way of living, in short, wants to live free like they used to or they want to, ignoring the ancient culture. Nice great story and adventure!

[Ash]

AAh, great read; enjoyed it. Sounds Rory has found his home!

[Oregonian]

Very good reflection!

[BHSC]

You are a great storyteller, my friend.. always enjoy your essays and the slide show. Thank you!

[Nguyen]

Truly inspiring, thanks for sharing Anand.
Enjoy always J

[Humble Warrior]

I would like to be a fly on the wall listening to great story tellers like Rory and Anand!

[microCEO]

That is quite a story. Thanks for sharing your memories and images in Polynesia.
I feel that Anand's open-mindedness is exactly what invites such good fortune and enables meeting such interesting and friendly people.
Many of us go through life too busy to enjoy this, almost as if we are too busy trying to get through a meal to actually enjoy the flavor.

“The truth knocks on the door and you say, "Go away, I'm looking for the truth," and so it goes away. Puzzling.” -Robert Pirsig.

“I know a planet where there is a certain red-faced gentleman. He has never smelled a flower. He has never looked at a star. He has never loved anyone. He has never done anything in his life but add-up figures. And all day he says over and over, just like you: 'I am busy with matters of consequence!'”
― Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, The Little Prince

[FR Singapore]

Anand, enjoyed your article on Rory and American Samoa! Rory is a gem. Good reminders for me.

[Malav]

This one is excellent
Juicy with video/ nature
Beautifully written
Thank you

[not conflicted]

Lovely reflection!
This gentleman Rory seems to have found the greatest Success! Contentment. I want that for my sons.
And BTW- I know another person who knows everyone and everyone knows him! He has casual coffee with Presidents, and hangs out with Beauty Queens :)