Where are we today? Saipan/Managaha
Hafa adai! It feels like we are moving closer to Asia in culture. Saipan is part of the US, but it’s a part in which English is only one of several official languages. Nine-tenths of the people speak a language other than English at home. Signs remind people 1) not to spit Betel nut juice in public places and 2) not to attempt to use an American style toilet by trying to squat as you would for a Chinese one. A little island in Saipan’s harbor where we went to snorkel was filled with Japanese tourists, and the signs in the snack shop were written in Multiple Asian looking alphabets along with English. For lunch, Dave and I wandered into a Chinese restaurant where we had to pint to pictures to communicate with our waitress and only chopsticks — no forks — were offered. I love these peeks into how people live, shop, travel, and spend time with their families in other places. We started the day with a snorkeling excursion to Managaha. This beautiful islet in Saipan’s harbo...