The Magic Circus of Samoa

Last weekend (11^th-13^th) was a pretty darn good time as our friends teaching out on Manu'a all got flown in for the weekend for an inservice. It was really nice to get to see everyone, especially KC and Courtney as we hadn't seen them in five weeks. Friday we decided to go out for some delicious dinner at a Korean/Chinese restaurant called Manuia since KC and Courtney had forgotten the taste of fresh vegetables. WE had a great time catching up, and as usual KC and Courtney's presence brought out the crazy in me and before long I somehow found myself shooting spitballs back and forth with KC and Courtney in our little private room. Of course as soon as KC dared me to hit the mural the waitress walks in, and just stares at me in disbelief. I am like a deer in the headlights – but manage to blurt out an apology and luckily she thought it was hilarious that a teacher was caught shooting spitballs instead of a kid.


Thoroughly embarrassed, I was glad to leave and we thereafter headed to the Leone game. It was a great game as we crushed 44 – 0 and KC and Court were loving seeing large groups of people and some sports. After the game we hung out and crashed at Julia's. The good fun actually came the next night when we decided to go the "Magic Circus of Samoa" which had been set up in Lions park near where we stayed for our orientation. It was only around for three weeks so we figured we would go to check it out. As we arrived we noticed that it was the perfect quaint little circus size, and it was pretty cool because it was a circus but definitely was Samoa style.

While the circus was interesting, even better was the fact that I was kicked out.

Yep, you heard me – I was kicked out of the circus.


Here's the story: So everyone knows that you can take pictures at the circus, just not any flash photography because it can distract and endanger the performers. I knew this, and they made announcements about it about a million times. However, the people in front of us used their flash a couple of times and the security would come over and yell at them. Then they were using their phones and the security thought they were recording the performers (which you cannot do). Near the intermission I had just opened up my camera to take a picture and forgot that since I had powered off and on again that I would have to again turn off the flash. One flash later the security was on me.


"Madam that was your last chance you have to leave."


"But that was the only time I did anything!"


"You have had too many warnings."


"No. That was the people in front of us!"


"Madam, please, you have to leave the boss said so." He mentions as he points to the ringleader who apparently pointed and me and made the 'get out' sign.


"Uh. Ok."


Frustrated at the injustice of it all, I tell my friends it's cool and that I will meet them after the show, and leave before I can be escorted out. I get out of the big top and had a seat on a bench near the road and start to think of where I should go at this point. I just decided to head over to a birthday party for one of our group when the security guard who kicked me out came over to me and asked what I was doing. I explained to him that I was about to call my other friends and meet them. He asked me why I kept using my flash when I knew it was against the rules and I politely explained to him the circumstances. He seemed understanding and told me as much, but it was the boss's call and I guesss once he makes it he doesn't change his mind. We end up chatting for a while, me asking him what it's like to work security for the circus and him asking me what the heck I was doing in AmSam anyways. After a bit he tells me that he can sneak me back in if I will just wait a little bit, and when the coast is clear go sit on the other side of the tent. Another guy comes out and we chat, and soon after the guy peeks into the side of the tent and gives me the all clear to sneak back in. With a fist-bump of thanks, I head back in to watch the show.


Twenty minutes later at the intermission I meet up with everyone and my security friend tells me that I can probably go back and sit with them without being noticed. Luckily the rest of the show passed without incident, or any of us risking pictures. Looking back I would say that the night was far more interesting and memorable with the getting kicked out so I feel as all went well for the night. Final moral: Ringleaders = mean, security guys = awesome.