Nothing beats the open museum of being in Samoa...

Samoan artefacts on display in Auckland War Memorial Museum

Last weekend, I was a driver for my beloved's class field trip to the Auckland War Memorial Museum and although I have been a few times over the past few years with my class, there's always something new to view or to learn about.

We all went to see the Pacific section with the various Pacific Islands artefacts on display and although there were many symbols of Samoan culture, the displays don't quite capture the vibrancy of the culture and the intricacies of learning faaSamoa.

So although it is always interesting to learn something new from the artefacts I'd say that the best way of understanding and learning about Samoa is not from books and Museums (although they do have a place in society) but travelling there and experiencing the culture, the food, scenery, faaSamoa in action etc. nothing beats the open museum of experience in Samoa.

And that's why we hope to continue taking our children on regular trips to Samoa, to learn where their ancestors, grandparents and parent (dad) were born, to taste the foods, meet our families, experience village life and learn about things that they wouldn't otherwise learn about whilst living in New Zealand.

I thank my parents and also my beloved's family for giving us this space to share with our children as it is such a privilege in knowing that there are many diaspora (overseas living) Samoans who no longer have connections to family in Samoa or homes to visit and instead stay at resorts (although often it is the preferred option).

I'm so thankful to God that we have a home in Samoa in the village of Fasitoo-uta that we can now connect with as well as our families in the various other villages that we visit upon our travels. Being able to stay in the village, speaking Samoan to our families whilst visiting and experiencing the lifestyle which is quite different to Auckland is always humbling.

Visiting the open museum of Samoa rather than a museum display of Samoan artefacts wins every time...