12 October Friday Evening
The Harbor Master has family in California--Colma, Daly City, Antioch and Vacaville and often visits them and drives his family from the SF Bay Area to and from Las Vegas and Lake Tahoe. Needless to say, he was extremely friendly and check-in was hassle free. We’ll pay the minimal fees for anchoring in the harbor when we leave. In addition, he guided us through the rest of the check-in process: Custom’s Office and Immigration Office. Again, everyone was abundantly cooperative and friendly. Stamping us into the country, waving us warm welcomes, and asking us to just stop in when we are ready to leave and then pay the minimal fees for our entry and departure. “How long can we stay? Hey, you’re American citizens, how long do you want to stay?” For us, it is a mere 20 day visit, but the option still stands that we could stay for as long as we want, get jobs and make this home.
Later, we would learn that the presence of Uncle Sam for so many years and USA infusion of funds has become a blood line that has shaped the culture and changed the society; for better or worst is a much debated point of conversation. Several locals have asked us if we are going to visit Western Samoa, where the USA presence has been nil and the society is more traditional and rural. As tempting as that might be, the Captain is concern that this would be too far west for us to get back and above the invisible line to zones of shelter from the upcoming Hurricane Season.