Tag Archives: Saipan

What you can get for $20USD on Saipan!

“What’s the cost of living on Saipan?” “Can I survive on my $700/month SSI?” I get questions like that a lot on my www.saipanliving.com website. So, as a public service for those seeking to relocate here, here’s what you can get for $20 on Saipan, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, as of Saturday, July 12, 2014.

cost of living on saipan
1 pineapple ($2.60)
1 watermelon ($4.50; ~7lb @ 0.65/lb)
1 pack peppers (1.00; 24count)
bananas (0.75; small bunch)
1 papaya (2.00)
guavas (1.60)
avocados (1.50)
sweetsop (2.00; plate of 6)
soursop (1.00)
mangos (1.00; bag of 5)
dry coconut (1.00)
Total: 18.95

…purchased at the Sabalu Market* on Saipan! (*every Saturday from 6am to noon next to World Resort/Hanwha Hotel and Naked Fish Restaurant). If you hurry you can still catch it!

Narcisim Alert:
That list also answers another frequent question I get: “What on earth do you eat, then, you crazy vegan nutjob?” Well, for the past 44 days I’ve been doing a completely raw food diet; nothing fried, poached, steamed, boiled, baked, or barbecued. Simply fruits and vegetables (including sprouted lentils). Except for coconut water, lara bars, Terra chips, and my “Jamaican-Superman-please-stop-I-can’t-take it anymore” Coleslaw (top secret, but if you ask nicely, I’ll share it) that list is pretty much all that I eat. That purchase should be completely consumed by about Tuesday–just in time for the Tuesday Market in Garapan!

If you’ve ever wondered what you’d look like if you ate completely raw for 44 days after being completely vegan since 1992, here’s a sample (your mileage may vary):
vegan on saipan
Vegan nomad eats raw; Fries brain with cell phone

Jamaican on Pagan: First Farewell!

On the final day of the Pagan adventure, we pack our gear and say our goodbyes…


JR, Ern (boat captain) and Sandy share a few laughs

We head north up the west coast of the island and circle

down the east side…

passing the southern end of the island


Pagan in the mist

The dolphins gave a brief send off as flying fish also escorted us on our way!


Dolphin and flying fish send off!


Final look at  Pagan

As I take my final look at the amazing island of Pagan and settle in for the 18-hour sail back to Saipan, I know there is more to come. There’s much of the island I didn’t get to see and experience. There’s more of the history of the island, the story of the 1981 volcanic eruption, the lives of the displaced residents, the story of the resettlement efforts, the US Navy’s plans for using the island for war games as well as more of the lifestyle and ecosystems on the island! So much more, in fact, that I’ve vowed to return to help tell the story in its entirety. There are still interviews and photos I haven’t blogged about, as well as the unique contribution of a Saipan resident and well-wisher (Atty. Joe Hill) to the island’s new era of ecotourism! All this and more shall be told over the next few months here on this blog as well as in other media, including, perhaps…wait for it….wait for it…a book! (You knew it was bound to happen!) Stay tuned!


“…to boldly go where no Jamaican has gone before!”

[Bob Marley painting by Analee Camacho Villagomez]
More to come? 

NOTE ABOUT THE FLIES: Before I embarked on my Pagan adventure, people on Saipan were warning me: “I hope you like flies!” “Watch out for the centipedes!” As a result I bought a special hat with netting and high-top sneakers in preparation.

Well, I can now report that–for whatever reason–there are no flies on Pagan! Of course, if you chop up freshly-killed boar and cow, or prepare a meal out in the open on any tropical island, they’ll come uninvited. However, the great infestation that people have associated with Pagan (co-captain Waki told me that the last time he took the trip, “As far as three miles out at sea, the ship was still covered with flies!”)–that level–at least as of April 2014–is no more! It is now the stuff of legend!

And while one fellow did get bitten by a centipede while I was there, I personally only saw ONE centipede the entire time I was there! (and that one was in a crate, caught by someone who wanted to show me how big they grew!)

So, pack your bags, leave your fly fears and centipede cautions behind and take a trip to Pagan!

Make sure you didn’t miss any of the adventure: Visit Jamaican In China! and check out the China, Singapore, Laos and St. Thomas adventures if you missed them!

Discover about the military’s plans for the island at

SAVEPAGANISLAND.ORG

Learn more about Chamorro people and culture at

CHAMORRO.COM

Book your own adventure to Pagan at

DISCOVERPAGAN.COM

View my slideshow at

Transportation!

Next item on the checklist: Transportation!

Okay. Let’s do something different this time! I’ve done Canada by car, Laos by bus, China by plane… What’s next? I know, let’s do the boat thing!

 

Uh-oh, waitaminit!! Last time I did Tinian by ferry back in 2007, I started to get nauseous, but I’m willing to give it another adventurous Jamaican try! In the spirit of the great Jamaican explorers of past and present, I will explore strange new worlds, seek out new life and new civilizations; boldly go where NO JAMAICAN HAS GONE BEFORE!!! Um, sorry…got a little carried away there. Ahem.

 

So, where to find a boat? Hmmmm. Well, I’m on a little island in the middle of the Pacific. Shouldn’t be too hard!

Voila! a boat:


Inspecting the boat with a few curious passengers



Discussing logistics with the owner and captain

Cool! Cool! Cool! Seems like I’m all set. I’ve got my tent. I’ve got my boat. Packed a few things of tremendous importance (i.e. Lara bars), and I’m almost ready to push on through!

The only question that remains: Where on earth is this nomadpreneuring, minimalist, vegan Jamaican heading this time???? Patience, my dear friend. Patience. Stay tuned!

Walt

 p.s. If you know of any NATURAL anti-seasickness remedies or advice (no drugs, no patches), please let me know (just hit reply)

 

The “Jamaican on Pagan” Series
Transportation
Day 3 Meet the pioneers

Somewhere’s calling!

Note for folks on Saipan: For a split second a few days ago, I  thought to myself “Ruth is going to enjoy these new emails!” Then I quickly remembered that my late friend, Ruth Tighe now has a much wider vantage point from which to enjoy this adventure, and so I dedicate this new adventure to her! (Her email comments throughout my last 6-month adventure in China have been immortalized in the book Guess Who’s Coming to Dim Sum: The Jamaican in China; full color pdf download; Also available in Paperback on Amazon!)

Jamaican’s Log: April 1, 2014

Yes, it’s time for a new “Jamaican in Somewhere” adventure! I’ve been to Jamaica, the US, Canada, Mexico, China, Singapore, Laos, Virgin Islands, Saipan, Guam, Tinian….but where next? This is a critical question, you see, because I’ve got to  fulfill the United Nations mandate that requires there be at least one Jamaican on every land mass in the world…at all times!

Somwhere is calling!

First, however, I must prepare. First stop: Fishing Tackle and Sporting Goods on Beach Road here on Saipan!  Checklist item #1: sleeping tent! If I should ever be without accommodations like I almost was when I was homeless on Hainan, I’ll have a “Plan B!”

I chose the size that fits two people (hey, you never know if I might have to entertain a tent guest!)

Dan the man at Fishing Tackle shows me how to set it up!
It’s easy once you know how!

Yep! That’ll work! Hmmm…Now, what’s next on my pre-adventure checklist? Transportation! Stay tuned!

You don’t want to miss this one!

Walt
The “Jamaican on Pagan” Series
Transportation
Day 3 Meet the pioneers

Food heaven’z now on Saipan!

Ever since my escape from America in 2006, and since arriving on Saipan and launching my nomad travels, I’ve had a few milestone culinary experiences that stand out in my mind.

The first was finding a box of healthy, wheat-free, dairy-free cookies amid the sugar-laden treats at Joeten supermarket. Second, was discovering that the Payless supermarkets on Guam carried a range of health-food items including Ezekiel bread! (That was a game changer) which led to me having the good folks at Joeten order it for me here (as chronicled in the Bestseller bestseller Jamaican on Saipan, now available at Bestseller bookstore next to Joeten)

The third–which was actually in China–was discovering a vegan restaurant in Beijing during my first few days of being Jamaican in China! (as chronicled in Guess Who’s Coming to Dim Sum: Jamaican in China)

Fourth, was discovering the vegetarian paradise of Singapore!

Well, now, with Lara bars, Terra chips and soy yogurt available here on Saipan to satisfy my decadent packaged-food cravings, I’ve been content to continue preparing my own natural meals–whether in coffeepots or woks–as I’ve done for years.


Perhaps one of the last meals I’ll prepare for myself!

I’ll share a secret: The fact is, I’ve never actually eaten at a restaurant on Saipan. Well, actually, a few years I did have a meal at the now defunct Magic Lamp Restaurant because Victor and Linda were aware of the style and requirements of my daily diet and prepared something special that was not on the menu. Well that, my friends, may be about to change.

A few days ago, I discovered something that left me speechless! After returning from a two-year detour in New York, I discovered (thanks to my friend, Joe Hill) that Saipan has made a significant change. This change, I tell you, this newest milestone in culinary and dining experiences on Saipan may trump all others combined! Are you ready? Wait for it now.

A few days ago, during day 6 of my water fast, I discovered TROPICAL BLENDZ!!! That’s right! Tropical Blendz Restaurant/Juice bar on Middle Road. From the brief conversation I had with partner, Svetlana, they’ve been on island for about a year, opening up while I was gone.

So, what’s so special about a little juice bar cafe on Middle Road?” you ask.

Well, I’ll tell you!

This is not just any juice bar/health food cafe. They’ve got fresh juices using local fruits, protein and fruit smoothies with spirulina, moringa powder (malunggay), maca and other superfood names I never thought I’d hear anyone else utter here on Saipan! But that’s not all! They’ve got meals–veggie burgers, salads, soups, wraps and more! They’ve got desserts–wheat free, dairy-free, raw desserts! My heavens, I think I’m in heaven!! If I weren’t in the middle of a fast at the time, I would have purchased just about everything on the menu! Heck, I might be camping outside the door every night waiting for them to open up the next morning!

Svetlana, herself, is a raw foodist, so she understands the lifestyle of fanatic vegans like myself, and even takes it a few steps further by advocating enzyme-rich, uncooked, raw food for sustenance! Finally, (as a tear rolls down my cheek), someone who understands me!

This is the sort of establishment I’ve always wanted to see on Saipan. It’s the sort of restaurant I would open and run myself if I weren’t addicted to my nomadpreneur lifestyle running around Asia! I’d rather support them and share the news and encourage you to pay them a visit. Tropical Blendz is across Middle Road from Sugar King Park (the same street (Gold’s Gym and the park are on the east side of Middle Road, and Tropical Blendz is o on the west side)


The view from the inside


The view from the outside

Wow! All this excitement and I haven’t even eaten there yet! But that, too is about to change. Now that I’m going into Day 10 of my fast, and will probably start transitioning back to solid food over the next several days, I’m looking forward to writing another post about specific dishes! Get your cameras ready! If you stop by and see me there, you’ll get one of the only photos of me actually sitting and eating at a restaurant on Saipan! Stay tuned! More to come!

Fasting for health….on Saipan!

[Sorry, no pretty pictures in this one!] In preparation for an upcoming trip, I decided at the last minute to do a water fast. I stopped eating solid food on Thursday at 5pm, so now, I’m in the middle of DAY 8 of eating nothing solid, and consuming only water and lemonade for the past 8 days. I’ve also been using an ionic foot bath in order to do a full ion cleanse detoxification, which gets rid of the toxins that have built up in your bloodstream. I must admit I’m feeling much better already.

I’m doing the Master Cleanse, which you can read about here, which is part of my Yesterday’s You! How to Reverse Aging, protocol. It’s now 3:20am on Friday morning, I had planned to officially end the fast yesterday at 5pm which would have concluded 7 full days. However, still feeling great and starting to notice some of the STAGE 3 changes described below, so I might continue! I was ALSO going to share my fasting log of how each day was proceeding, but perhaps I’ll link to that later. Meanwhile, for those of you who may be considering fasting for health, detoxing and rejuvenation, here are the Stages of Fasting from a post on Curezone.com.
(And, very important, the protocol I’ll be following to BREAK the fast is here:
https://mastercleansesecrets.com/blog/after-the-master-cleanse/what-to-do-after-the-master-cleanse/105/)

Stage 1 (Day1-2)
On the first day of fasting, the blood sugar level drops below 70mg/dl. To restore the blood to the normal glucose level, liver glycogen is converted to glucose and released into the blood. This reserve is enough for a half day. The body then reduces the basal metabolic rate (BMR). The rate of internal chemical activity in resting tissue is lowered to conserve energy. The heart slows and blood pressure is reduced. Glycogen s pulled from the muscle causing some weakness. The first wave of cleansing is usually the worst.Headaches, dizziness, nausea, bad breath, glazed eyes and a heavily coated tongue are signs of the first stage of cleansing. Hunger can be the most intense in this period.

Stage 2 (Day 3 to 7)
Fats, composed of transformed fatty acids, are broken down to release glycerol from the gliceride molecules and are converted to glucose. The skin may become oily as rancid oils are purged from the body. People with problem-free skin may have a few days of pimples or even a boil. A pallid complexion is also a sign of waste in the blood. Ketones are formed by the incomplete oxidation of fats. It is suspected that the ketones in the blood suppress the appetite by affecting the food-satiety center in the hypothalamus called the appestat. You may feel hungry for the first few days of the fast. This effect is temporary. The desire to eat will disappear. Lack of hunger may last 40-60 days.
The body embraces the fast and the digestive system is able to take a much-needed rest, focusing all of its energies on cleansing organs and the lungs are in the process of being repaired. Periodically, the lymphatic system expels mucoid matter through the nose or throat. The volume excreted of this yellow-colored mucus can be shocking. The sinuses go through periods of being clogged, then will totally clear. The breath is still foul and the tongue coated. Within the intestine, the colon is being repaired and impacted feces on the intestinal wall start to loosen and are autolyzed.

Stage 3 (Day 8 to 15)
On the latter part of an extended fast, you can experience enhanced energy, clear-mindedness and feel better than you have felt since childhood, On the downside, old injuries may become irritated and painful. This is a result of the body’s increased ability to heal during fasting. If you had broken your arm 10 yrs before, there is scar tissue around the break. At the time of the break, the body’s ability to heal was directly related to lifestyle. If you lived on a junk food diet, the body’s natural ability to heal was diminished.
During fasting, the body’s healing process is at optimum efficiency. As the body scours for dead or damaged tissue, the lymphocytes enter the older-damaged tissue secreting substances to dissolve the damaged cells. These substances irritate the nerves in the surrounding region and cause a reoccurrence of aches from previously injured areas that may have disappeared years earlier. The pain lasts as the body is completing the healing process. The muscles may become tight and sore due to toxin irritation. The legs can be the worst affected as toxins accumulate in the legs. Cankers are common in this stage due to the excessive bacteria in the mouth.

Stage 4 (Day 16 to 30)
The body is completely adapted to the fasting process. There is more energy and clarity of mind. Cleansing periods can be short with many days of feeling good in between. There are days when the tongue is pink and the breath is fresh. The healing work of the organs is being completed. After the detoxification mechanisms have removed the causative agent or renders it harmless; the body works at maximum capacity in tissue proliferation to replace damaged tissue. While a short fast will reduce the symptoms, a longer fast can completely heal. Homeostatic balance is at optimum levels. The lymphatic system is clean except for a rare discharge of mucus through the nose or throat. After day 20, the mind is affected with heightened clarity and emotional balance. Memory and concentration improve.

Stage 5(Day 30 to ?)
(Breaking the Fast with the genuine return of Natural Hunger) Shelton.
The Breath, which during all or most of the fast has been offensive, becomes sweet and clean.
The Tongue becomes clean. The thick coating which remained on it throughout most of the fast vanishes.
The Temperature, which may have been sub-normal or above normal, returns to exactly normal, where it remains.
The Pulse becomes normal in time and rhythm.
The Skin reactions and other reactions become normal.
The Bad Taste in the mouth ceases.
Salivary Secretion becomes normal.
The Eyes become bright and eye sight improves.
The Excreta loses its odor. The Urine becomes light.

The primary indication that the fast is to be broken is the return of hunger; all the other indications are secondary. Often one or more of these secondary signs are absent when hunger returns, but one should not refrain from breaking the fast when there is an unmistakable demand for food, merely because the tongue, for example, is not clean. Inasmuch as all the signs do not inva
riably appear in each case, do not hesitate to break the fast when hunger returns.

Have fun!
Okay, okay! Since you asked, and since this IS Saipan, after all! Here’s a pretty picture of how I spend my days while fasting.

Loi Krathong on Saipan

[Text from Wikipedia; Photos from Saipan Nov 17, 2013!]
[wikipedia] Loi Krathong (also written as Loy Krathong or Loy Gratong, Thai: ลอยกระทง, IPA: [lɔːj kràʔ tʰoŋ]) is a festival celebrated annually throughout
Thailand and certain parts of Laos and Burma (in Shan State). The name could be translated “Floating Crown” or “Floating Decoration”,
and comes from the tradition of making buoyant decorations which are then floated on a river.


Full moon over Saipan

[wikipedia] Loi Krathong takes place on the evening of the full moon of the 12th month in the traditional and they do this all evening on the 12th monthThai lunar calendar. In the western calendar this usually falls in November.


Thai girls and guys and friends gather at the fishing dock


Loi Krathong are lit and readied

[wikipedia] Loi means ‘to float’, while krathong refers to the (usually) lotus-shaped container which floats on the water. Krathong has no other meaning in Thai
besides decorative floats, so Loi Krathong is very hard to translate, requiring a word describing what a Krathong looks like such as Floating Crown, Floating Boat, Floating Decoration.


Jamaican joins the ceremony


A prayer before launch, while the candles from other Loi Krathong shimmer on the water


[wikipedia] A small coin is sometimes included as an offering to the river spirits. On the night of the full moon, Thais launch their krathong on a river, canal or a pond, making a wish as they do so. The festival may originate from an ancient ritual paying respect to the water spirits.

For more about Loi Krathong in Thailand, visit https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loi_Krathong

Return to Saipan 2013

NEW YORK TO SAIPAN!
In our previous episode, we left Jamaican on Saipan, Walt Goodridge, on a layover in Hong Kong. Following a four hour flight to Guam and another 4 hour layover, we resume our adventure with the final leg of the Escape from America reprise: The Return to Saipan…2013!

A few highlights of the past 4 days:

On the tarmac toward the last plane to Saipan.
On the tarmac toward the last plane to Saipan.

Saipan from the sky!middle of the Pacific! Just a few seconds more!!!
Saipan from the sky! a secret little rock in the middle of the Pacific! Just a few seconds more!!!

RECAP: I left my apartment in New York at 7:15am Saturday NY time. Fly from New York to Hong Kong to Manila to Guam to Saipan. I arrive 8:05am on Monday Saipan time. Saipan is 14 hours ahead of NY. Hmmm…now with the 14 hour time difference …. carry the 2….that makes exactly 35 hours from door to door! Whew! I know, I know, but it feels sooooo good when you land!

Based on the above, here’s my idea for a new tourism marketing campaign:
“Welcome to Saipan. You can’t get here by accident!”
What do you think?

attorney Joe Hill, Saipan at the restaurant formerly known as Bobby Cadillac's
Catching up with friends. Me and attorney Joe Hill, Saipan at
the restaurant formerly known as Bobby Cadillac’s

attorney Joe Hill, Saipan at the restaurant formerly known as Bobby Cadillac's
Joe is the reason my initial transition to Saipan living back in 2006 was so smooth! Thanks, Joe!

Picking Malunggay (Moringa) growing fresh, raw and wild
Picking Malunggay (Moringa) growing fresh, raw and wild a short walk from my apartment.
Wonder how much this would cost back in the states?
Will chop and sprinkle raw with the evening meal.

Noni just an arm's length away from on my bedroom balcony.
Noni grows on Saipan
Noni just an arm’s length away from on my bedroom balcony.

Returning to my favorite contemplation and cooking spot.
Returning to my favorite contemplation and cooking spot on Saipan
Just as I left it

contemplation on saipan
Contemplation.

Cooking on saipan
Cooking.

COOKING???? Yep. Ahem. Let me explain:
An easy-to-follow recipe for Jamaican Turnover
Take one medium-sized Jamaican (recently refrigerated)
Peel outer covering
Place on hot rocks in oppressive heat
Let bake for approximately half hour.
Turn. Repeat.
Remove when rejuvenated.
Voila!
Serve hot and enjoy at leisure!

Note: works just as well for other flavors of travelers and nomads

What's cookin' inside? Chopping locally-grown pumpkin
What’s cookin’ inside? Chopping locally-grown pumpkin, curried cabbage, boiled green bananas

Hafa Adai Shopping center in Garapan
Hafa Adai Shopping center in Garapan

The world famous Thursday Night Street Market at its new location on Beach Road
The world famous Thursday Night Street Market at its new location on Beach Road

Canton Restaurant's stall at the Street Market, Saipan
Canton Restaurant’s stall at the Street Market, Saipan

While walking through the Street Market, the event emcee, and all-around nice guy, Gordon Marciano, spotted me in the crowd and gave me an on-mic shout out and welcome back! Pretty cool, except that my cover of anonymity and secrecy is now blown!

Yep! This is what I like. A slow, simple life with friendly faces, warm weather, beautiful “distractions” where everybody knows your name. It feels great to be back!

NOTE: To receive future emails and follow this continuing nomadpreneur adventure and experience Walt’s unique experience of a lifestyle you can create by following your passion, join the mailing list at www.Jamaicaninchina.com!

[QUESTION: “Walt. Are you going to continue referring to yourself in the third person as if we don’t know you’re the one writing this?”
ANSWER: Yes, he will]

The Jamaican in China rides again!

There are people–average, everyday folk–who, when they travel, manage to pack their suitcases the night before, or perhaps even days before, so that when the day of departure rolls around, they can wake up as usual unhurriedly, sit in their living rooms, comfortably, while chatting or sipping tea leisurely as they wait for a taxi.

Um, I would NOT be one of those people.

As it happens, this morning–the day of my 10:00am “Escape from America”  flight from New York back to Asia (have to be at the airport at 7am, they advise), I found myself up at 4:00am cleaning the apartment, packing my bags, and then by 6:00am I was heading out the door and down the deserted streets of Queens, New York on my way to the Home Depot (ran into my friend, Steve D., who works there) a few blocks away. I had to purchase some special flood lights for the apartment before I left. Then, from there, it was off to the Rite Aid Pharmacy where I had to pick up some toiletries for a friend on Saipan. It’s always like this. Now, is it just me?

Well, I finally head out at about 7:15am, walk to the train station with bags in tow, hop on the JFK airTrain, and arrive at Kennedy Airport’s Terminal 7 for my Cathay Pacific flight to Hong Kong…

waiting in JFK


Cathay Pacific plane


The flight route

…And now, one long 15 hour flight later, I’m in the Hong Kong airport for a 2 hour layover, awaiting my connecting flight to Manila, Philippines (Total JFK to Hong Kong to Manila: $788 one way) FYI: There’s free wi-fi in the Hong Kong airport!

So, let the adventure and festivities begin anew! The Jamaican in China….and Beyond rides again!

Saipan day tour for visiting cruise line passengers! Let’s do it again in 2013!


It’s been in the works since July of last year when the first cruise ship customer contacted me! It’s true! The Jamaican in China will be returning to Saipan once again to conduct a special tour for visitors from a major cruise line! The last once we did was a raging success! This one will be better!

If you’re one of the passengers scheduled to arrive on Saipan, CLICK HERE to arrange your day tour of Saipan! I can arrange a special World War II tour, and private tours for even a single person, so there’s no excuse!

Saturday on Saipan!

Riza Oledan-Ramos is a children’s book author living on Saipan. A while back, she attended one of my “saipanpreneur” workshops and expressed to me her desire to publish her first book. She became my client, and a few months later, after a few coaching sessions, she launched her website and published her first book, The Boy Who Dreamed to Be With His Parents on Saipan,  a unique based-on-real-life children’s story that even adults have found compelling and emotional.

The book is available in paperback from her site, as well as on Amazon.com and BarnesAndNoble.com in Kindle and Nook formats, as well as in Bestseller Bookstore on Saipan.

Last week, Riza, now a published author with her book on Amazon, and in two languages, made her book signing debut at the public library on Saipan! And, while I’m sorry I couldn’t be there to share the moment with her, here are a few photos of the event she sent me! Enjoy, then pick up a copy to support a new author! https://www.rizaramosbooks.com

 

If you’re going to do an outdoor book signing, there’s no nicer place than a tropical island!

“Sign my copy, please!”

Greeting the public!

Sharing the book’s original art by Rodante Guardia! Great idea, Riza!

 

We also translated it into Spanish!

 

Celebrity smile!

The kid’s arrive!

Sharing the spotlight with other authors: Seated: L-R- Riza Ramos, Honora Tenorio, Jose Sanchez; Standing L-R- Joanna Aquino, Lino Olopai, Catherine Perry, Kurt Barnes (names and spellings not verified)

Photos by Riza’s coworker, Lilia! Thanks for capturing the moment!

Ode to a friend: Ruth Tighe is virtually always on my mind…


There are 301 emails in my outbox to Ruth Tighe (There would be more, but I changed computers in 2010).

As I spent some time this morning going over all those emails, I’m reminded of Ruth’s many acts of kindness as well as countless virtual conversations we shared that have endeared her to my memory. I’d like to share a few snippets of those memories with you.

From the day we first met at a Beautify CNMI meeting a few months after I arrived on Saipan in 2006, she’s been a consistent supporter of my writings, blogs, books and projects and has always gone out of her way to keep me informed. In her last email to me on October 5, 2012, as she typically did, she forwarded me a copy of something she thought I would be interested in. This time it was Congressman Gregorio Kilili” Sablan’s newsletter that I was unaware existed, and to which I am now a subscriber.

My fellow Saipan resident, Ruth, was one of the panel of volunteer (read: drafted) experts (of a grand total of about 3) for the SaipanLiving.com website, and answered email questions on a wide range of topics from where to find honey on Saipan, to CNMI marriage law, to how to deal with mosquitoes! (Her thoughts on island life are featured and immortalized in the book spawned by the site, Saipan Living.) Here’s what one couple wrote back to me after I assigned Ruth the task of answering their questions about starting a business on Saipan:

Thanks for your referral of Ruth – very knowledgeable, articulate and responsive to our questions. She is certainly an adjunct Chamber of Commerce asset.”

My friend, Ruth, shared books on a wide range of topics she thought I’d be interested in (actual physical copies as well as links on the internet).

My number one fan, Ruth, offered feedback to my weekly column in the Saipan Tribune, and graciously mentioned my projects in her On My Mind column. Those mentions were a welcome validation and appreciation of my efforts–though she didn’t know how just how eloquent, well-crafted, and well-received they were. I know because here’s what she once wrote as a p.s. after praising one of my books on Saipan.

RUTH: p.s. As you may notice, I am oddly inarticulate when it comes to praising anyone, anything. It all comes out so stilted. But then, I’ve had trouble with that ever since my kids, as kindergartners, brought home their crudely drawn art efforts………….and I’ve not yet gotten any better…………….I guess one could say I’ve never learned the art of flattery? Anyhow. I plan to mention it in my column……….–ruth

My blog follower, Ruth, was the most frequent commenter on my Jamaican in China adventure, following my blog posts from the beginning, even offering her home for me to crash when it seemed I might be homeless when my departure from Saipan to China might have been postponed after already giving up my apartment.

Then, once I actually ended up in China, Ruth continued to be a recurring, behind-the-scenes character: While in China, through a series of random encounters and after an invite I almost turned down, I met an American fellow in a club in Beijing. The exchange went something like this:

WALT: “So, have you ever heard about Saipan?”
STRANGER: “Yes, actually. I know someone who lives there.”
WALT:“Really!? Who?”
STRANGER: She’s family, but she doesn’t have the same last name. My father’s brother is married to her sister. The name slips me right now, but she’s been there a long time. She’s into politics. Wait, it’s coming to me….R-ru–“
WALT/STRANGER: [in unison] “Ruth Tighe!”

So, turns out that in the heart of China, in a city of 20 million people, at a smoke-filled event I had all intentions of missing that night, I’m introduced by a woman I only spoke to for the first time that afternoon, to a man she only met two days before, who, it turns out is related to my number one blog fan on the island Saipan where I’ve spent the last several years! That stranger, Ben Partan, is now my friend, and we keep in touch regularly!

As she became more and more of a follower and commenter on my blog, I would find myself composing and customizing the format of my emails with her in mind, just so she could have a hassle-free existence reading them. (She once described herself as a “luddite,” and from the way she described it, she must have been using a 286 Computer circa 1980s that always seemed to react weirdly to my emails, and just couldn’t seem to handle the image attachments. Nevertheless, she found the necessary ways and means to email me regularly, order books, vote for my blog for blog of the year!)

My fondest memories of Ruth involve our exchanges over what I imagine constitutes our mutual respect for and love affair with the English language. After reading one my articles or blog posts, Ruth might send me an email that would begin something like this:

RUTH: …being a teacher of English myself at one time, I struggled to parse your first sentence.
Pray tell, what is the subject of the verb “has”?

Thus would commence a nuanced back-and-forth debate that only language purists would appreciate wherein we would advocate on behalf of this or that grammatical case and convention, rule or precedent, and through which one of us would invariably introduce the other to a word hitherto not in his or her vocabulary (eg. She introduced me to “nonce.” I introduced her to “epicene.” Look ’em up!)

Ruth was my “reality check” for how my writings were being perceived by “regular humans” and offered her insights and interpretations.

We would often share and compare ideas on random topics in life and living. In one exchange back in 2010, Ruth and I discussed the purpose of the news media and the individual’s role in social change:

WALT: People fault the rich for not doing more for this or that cause. They fault their neighbor for not joining in the struggle against this or that injustice. While it’s true that the world would benefit if more people took up the mantle for a given cause, one of the things I think activists often overlook is that not everyone is called to the activist “life theme.”

RUTH: In thinking about this, I could agree that not everyone is called to be a leader. But not called to do good, to right wrongs, to help others, to try improve life on earth for all its living creatures – and plants/trees? I would agree that many don’t accept or recognize that “responsibility,” if you will, but I have trouble accepting that they don’t have that responsibility….”

Those of us who knew her will recognize that as an apt description of how she conducted life.

In September of this year, I relaunched the WeLoveSaipan.com site with the new banner “We STILL Love Saipan!” and sent Ruth an email requesting an updated description of why she, too, “still” loved Saipan. She replied:

RUTH: Nice idea, and I’d love to participate, but at the moment, I am barely functioning – I’ve hit a down phase in my health – they call it an “exacerbation” – and I have no energy, have a hard time catching my breath, and cannot think all that deeply, clearly. You’ll note, I’m not putting out my column……..
So my contribution will have to wait til I feel stronger again…………

ruth

Ruth didn’t get around to submitting her contribution. However, she did compose one testimonial for me a few months prior especially for Saipan Living:

RUTH: For someone who grew up in land-locked territory, the closeness to the sea is, I think, what attracts me the most – an attraction that has not worn off after 28 years of living on Saipan. The ocean in all its moods and colors, reflecting the clouds above, and the clouds themselves, offer an ever-changing panoply of color, images, beauty and is visible from nearly everywhere on island.

It’s green year-round, with plumeria, or hibiscus, or bougainvillea always in bloom. It’s warm, and sometimes rainy – but often that brings rainbows.
It’s a small island, made up of small, close communities in each village, and friendly people.

Despite its surface appearance as being just like southern California or Florida, it has its own culture, its own idiosyncrasies – and in order to survive and get along, it is necessary to understand, accept and embrace the differences. Living can be as cheap or as expensive as you want it to be – it depends on a person’s life style, and his or her willingness to try new things, to adapt to the local setting.

Paradise has its drawbacks: occasional typhoons, termites, ineradicable ants. But that goes with the territory.

Politically, it is no different than the mainland U.S. – here, though, it’s on a smaller scale, and “in your face” – the corrupt politicians are not in the distant capital, but are your friends and neighbors. Different, fascinating, ever-changing….[end excerpt]

Because of this ever-changing, virtual world we live in, and this nomadic life I’ve chosen, I’ve actually only had about 5 physical face-to-face meetings, one ear-to-ear phone call, and taken just a single photograph with my friend Ruth Tighe since I first met her in 2006. However, I consider her an ally, my biggest supporter, and I feel so very fortunate that this one person on a little 5 x 13-mile island in the middle of the Pacific, whom I would never have known otherwise, emerged from anonymity and into my life. It has made all the difference in the world.

Thanks, Ruth. Sorry I wasn’t on island to see you off, but I’m sure I speak for many on Saipan when I say….You’ll always be on my mind!

Walt F.J. Goodridge
Honored Friend of Ruth Tighe

p.s. With all the references to my books and sites and blogs and columns, I’ve realized that it’s challenging to write about all the ways a person affects your life without appearing to speak inordinately about the details of that life. I think Ruth and I shared the similar purpose of sharing information with others through the written word. In my case, that purpose manifests in the books and sites and blogs and columns I’ve created. Ruth’s impact on my life, therefore, is most evident in the ways in which she supported me in these and in the fulfillment of my purpose. I hope, in some way, I was able to help her in hers!