American Samoa vs. U.S. Virgin Islands

[solarstorm]

[politicus]

American Samoa is unfortunately a pretty terrible place, so US Virgin Islands by default.

[solarstorm]

American Samoa is unfortunately a pretty terrible place, so US Virgin Islands by default.

In what way is AS a terrible place to live?
Regarding the remoteness? The political climate? The typhoons?

[politicus]

American Samoa is unfortunately a pretty terrible place, so US Virgin Islands by default.

In what way is AS a terrible place to live?
Regarding the remoteness? The political climate? The typhoons?

"In the 21st century, American Samoa is a very sad place. Two tuna canneries harbor Asian ships and hundreds of illegal workers. Local youth hang out aimlessly around a capital city that increasingly resembles a U.S. ghetto. There are abandoned and burned-down buildings. Graffiti is ubiquitous. Everything is in a state of general disrepair. City residents are moving out to the suburbs. The only hotel in town recently shut down one of its wings."


"“Many people want to serve in the U.S. navy or army. They want to make money but they also want to join the army to escape boredom – to experience adventure that they are being promised. Many people are very poor, working for three dollars an hour. We have over 400 inhabitants here on the island, but every week someone leaves for the United States. To some it doesn’t matter what they are going to do on the mainland: whether they wash dishes or go to the military barracks."


Andre Vltchek - novelist, journalist, filmmaker, and playwright, editorial director of Asiana Press