Guam : Land of the Noble

    

After spending ten hours island hopping from the Marshall Islands to Guam yesterday, we arrived at 9pm last night. We asked the airport taxi to stop at a grocery store and were surprised at all the American food products for sale. One of the customers even had a Las Vegas grocery bag. Our airplane felt like a party bus full of local Marshallese colorfully dressed with flowers in their hair. They got off and on the plane at five different island stops along the way. The plane was full all the way to Guam with a variety of passengers. They kept changing seats and the flight attendant would send them back. They traveled with boxes of who knows what and it was a non-stop party. It was the most exciting plane ride I've ever been on! 

Today we walked down the 100 or more wooden steps to the beach below our Air BnB. The clear blue water is shallow and so clean that you can walk out forever. Chuck snorkeled and there was no one else at the beach. Luckily, there is a washer and dryer here which was welcome. The owner has lived next door for 25 years. The taxi driver gave us a new water thermos to use. Everyone is so friendly here! Luckily, there is a washer and dryer in the garage that we can use too. However, we are far from civilization and will have to call a taxi to take us anywhere. The taxis are not cheap here! 

Even though Guam is known for its military bases, beaches, coral reefs, and ocean diving. It's not too far for the Japanese to come over for a long weekend according to our landlord. Tourism has slowed down during the pandemic, but the airport was very busy yesterday. There are high-rise condos and spacious beach homes along the coast. How did the United States become involved with the faraway island of Guam? The U.S. captured Guam a long time ago in the 1898 Spanish American War. It is known as the 'Land of the Chamorro" which translates to Land of the Noble. Their culture dates back to the indigenous Pre-Hispanic forms as well as the influence of the American, Spanish, and Mexican traditions. Guam became a U.S. territory in 1898 and is under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Navy. It sure seems like a nice place to be sent to serve in the U.S. Navy. 

The island life is relaxed and is as breathtaking in person as in the colorful photos! Here is our window view of the ocean and the steep stairway to the beach below! We will continue to explore and learn more about this idyllic territory of the United States. Hafa adai is the local greeting from Guam! 🌴🍍🌸