First Impressions

We arrived at the Pago airport tired. Finn was tired and crying hysterically as Levi and I waited for our bags at the baggage carousel. Normally collecting bags is no big deal, but in Pago it is hot and humid, crowded and non air conditioned and it usually takes awhile. Add in a crying three year old, and it becomes not fun. Finally we collected our bags and made it out of the airport, where our landlord's liaison Henry greeted us.

Henry is a Filipino who we discover immediately to be very friendly and helpful. He helped load our bags and drove us to the house we'll be living in for the next 10 months.

Henry gave us a quick tour (I had checked the house out briefly three months prior) and left. I looked at Sarah and saw her eyes well up with tears. "I don't know if I can live here for the next 10 months!" she said. We noticed holes in the screens, and a gap under the door where insects could get in. We both were bothered by the toxic odor from the recent fumigation and paint job. I was a little shell-shocked as I ran to the store for some food and considered my options.

Upon my return, we talked about it for awhile, decided that we'd try to get some rest and perspective, and went to sleep.

That night I woke up to get a drink of water, and I heard a distinct sound in the cupboard. I tapped a box of tea, and a large cockroach skittered away. Perfect. I didn't mention it to Sarah and went back to sleep.

After a couple of hours of sleep, Sarah and I talked it over and decided that we'd make some changes and "tighten the house up", but in the end, sit tight at the house.  We know that roaches are a part of life in the tropics, but the fact that we saw one the very first night when the house had fumigated and empty for two weeks left us wary of an infestation. Also that morning we did notice mosquito bites on the kids and realized mosquitoes and other bug may indeed be getting in through some of the screens. 

A week later, the toxic smell has faded somewhat, the roaches aren't regular guests, and the screens have been replaced or fixed. Sarah is feeling better about the house; in fact, there are things we like better here over the last house. People familiar with the house say it is one of the better houses on island, and we realize that we are lucky here. The kids love the yard.  They love playing hide and seek, watching the bats swoop down in the evening, and exploring. What a difference a week makes.