Samoan Hospitality

At the end of last week and after my third day of a medical malpractice trial, I chanced upon a Samoan woman in a traditional puletasi at the EOB right outside our office. (Most Samoan women who work in the EOB dress that way every day, while men where short sleeved button down shirts with lava lavas, or formal wrap skirts.) The woman recognized me as someone she had not seen before (that happens a lot) and inquired as to which office I called home. We got to chatting and, as it turns out, two of her children live in Clovis, outside Fresno, CA. She was excited to meet someone who just moved from Northern California and could not believe I actually knew where Clovis was. She also happens to work in the Treasury Department, which is just down the hall from our office. I left our conversation pleased that I had met such a nice lady who works close by.

This morning, as Jay, another co-worker, and I approached our office, that same Samoan woman called my name and so I stopped to chat with her. She presented me with an absolutely beautiful ula made of orchids, kissed me on the cheek, and welcomed me to the island. Her Samoan hospitality was a wonderful way to start the day!