Join host, Catherine Rosario Perry as she interviews nomadpreneur and Jamaican in China, Walt Goodridge on Saipan’s Power 99.5FM’s “Your Humanities Half Hour” radio program. Click on image to view youtube video of interview
Tag Archives: Saipan
If you happen to be on Saipan this Sunday, May 29th…
Grab a radio and tune in!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Local author and entrepreneur to appear on “Your Humanities Half-Hour”
SAIPAN, CNMI— The NMI Council for the Humanities will feature author, entrepreneur and former Saipan Tribune columnist Walt F. J. Goodridge on its weekly radio show this Sunday, May 29, on Power 99 FM from 2:00 to 2:30 pm.
Goodridge will discuss the personal journey that led to his life of writing and travel. He will also share ideas about how writing in this age of advanced technology and global connectivity can empower local writers and artists to share their work and passion beyond the CNMI.
“Writing, blogging and a little internet savvy can expose the work of local writers and artists to a global consumer audience,” says Goodridge. “My goal is to share some success stories, some ideas and some secrets that I and others are using to do just that. It’s much easier than people realize.”
Originally from the island of Jamaica, Goodridge is a former civil engineer who hated his job, followed his passion, walked away from his career and, in 2006, “escaped” from New York City, where he lived for most of his life, and moved to Saipan. He is the author of 20 books, several blogs, and is the founder of the WeLoveSaipan.com website.
“Your Humanities Half-Hour” is supported in part by a We the People grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities and is directed and hosted by noted media personality Catherine Rosario Perry. The weekly show features local and visiting humanities scholars, students, community organizations, and other special guests who discuss humanities projects and issues of interest in the NMI.
According to Rosario-Perry, Goodridge’s insights and experiences on this week’s show will “help people to make the connection between culture and communication, to develop ways to write about, and thereby preserve the culture while incorporating technology in a world that requires certain modern skills in order to survive and prosper.”
For more information on the Council, visit www.nmihumanities.org.
Passing the time on Sunny Saipan
In addition to the usual jogging, writing, sleeping and shopping that I do here on Saipan, there are also a few things to spice up the weekends!
Friday evening, a quick stop at Saipan’s GIG nightclub
Watch a little dancing, inhale a bit of second-hand smoke, call it a night!
Saturday: grab an hour of direct sunlight….(note to self: take photo first, disrobe second)
Saturday evening: attended high school graduation for Saipan International School
Proud family and friends
Then, more fun at the annual Taste of the Marianas
Fire dancers!
Watched a performance at World Resort….called it a night
Forgive me for asking, but….
Forgive me for asking, but….let’s just say, hypothetically, of course, that I’ve come to realize that the man I chose is not quite the one I really want..um,… (SAIPAN)
Want to read more Forgive me for asking, but…jokes?
Taste of the Marianas on Saipan!
Every Saturday in the month of May, from 6pm to 10pm, Saipan is host to an event called “Taste of the Marianas!” Hotels, restaurants and independent vendors gather to sell food, while various organizations sponsor and offer entertainment for all to enjoy the summer!
Chicken Feathers excerpt featured in French textbook!
[Encouragement for self-published authors] While I was in China, I was contacted by Editions Bordas, a French textbook publisher requesting the rights to publish an extract of Chicken Feathers and Garlic Skin: Diary of a Chinese Garment Factory Girl on Saipan, a book I co-authored with former factory worker, Chun Yu Wang, and that I published independently. (Order on Amazon)
An excerpt of the request letter reads: “We are currently preparing a school book entitled Missions 1re Lycée (code 732771) which will be published in paper form in April 2011 and designed for 16-17 years old pupils….
We would like to obtain your permission to use and reproduce an excerpt taken from Chicken Feathers and Garlic Skin: Diary of a Chinese Garment Factory Girl on Saipan by Chun Yu Wang (Please see below) in this textbook in all formats and for all countries…..this extract will be used for our school book by students who are studying the English language….We would be most grateful if you would grant us this permission for the period of exploitation of the textbook…. Please note that the excerpt will be used for pedagogical purposes by teachers and students in the French education system.”
We corresponded and negotiated the licensing fee via email, I provided the requested information, and now, after much anticipation, the book is finally available! Here are some images showing how the excerpt is being used. Click on image to view enlarged
The topic of the lesson is understanding the “American Dream.” Here is the single page featuring the excerpt:
full two-page spread:
In the phraseology of mentor of mine, “I share this not to IMPRESS you, but to IMPRESS UPON you…” just what is achievable even as a self-published author!
I wish much success to the publishers and to the students learning English! If you read French, (or even if not), you can learn more about the publishers at the Editions Bordas website. (Thanks to Anabelle and Audrey at Editions Bordas for their help!)
Swim free, little fishies! Swim free!!!
After my ritual morning run on the beach here on Saipan, I returned to my beachfront desk to do some brainstorming for a few projects including Living True To Your Self.
As I approached my usual spot, I heard the sound of a plop of water behind me, and turned quickly to notice a second plop and what appeared to be something hitting the water from an angle that, if it had been thrown, would mean someone out in the ocean had thrown it. I was puzzled, as there was no one on the beach or in the water for as far as the eye could see.
I gazed towards where the object had entered the water, and it was then I saw something dark and mysterious near the water’s edge. (hey, didn’t someone once describe me that way?). I thought it might be seaweed, but wasn’t quite sure. I walked towards it.
As I got closer, I was delighted to discover that it was….fish! Hundreds of them. No, thousands! Several undulating black pools of small fish near the water’s edge. Doing their dance of life.
1. Something dark and mysterious by the water’s edge!
View the mysterious video!
They were so close to the sand at the edge of the water that it almost seemed as if they were about to recreate their distant ancestors’ apocryphal transition from sea dweller to land dweller right before my eyes!
But then, I heard the telltale ominous music playing in the background. [Think: Jaws, the movie]. I scanned the horizon, and then quickly discovered the reason why. About 5 or 6 feet from the frolicking school of small fish, was a larger, sword nosed fish that seemed to be enjoying the display as much as I was–but, as I was soon to learn–for entirely different reasons.
I watched as swordnose sailed out of the water and dove into the unsuspecting school of smaller fish. (Caught on film) The school dispersed for a moment in the area of swordfish’s entrance into the shallow water, a bit of chaos ensued, but things quickly returned to normal and the predator could be seen swimming away with a fresh meal in its sword mouthed grasp.
2. Swim, little fishies! Swim!! (Attack of the swordnosed fish!)
View video of attack!
A few moments later, while I was still contemplating the predator-prey paradigm as it plays itself out in life and in nature, along comes a fisherman. I thought to myself that he’d probably seen many such displays in his years of fishing along Saipan’s shores. However, he too, uttered a “wow” and stopped to watch the schools of fish.
We acknowledged each other, exchanged a few pleasantries, and soon, he did what fishermen do, and cast his net into the waters to claim and augment his own catch for the day.
As he walked past me back to his bucket with a few small fish in his net, a few of them dropped out and onto the sand. I reached down and rescued those I could and tossed them back into the water.
We were next to each other. He standing, reaching into his net, tossing fish into his bucket. Me, crouching, reaching down to the sand, tossing fish back into the water. He didn’t seem to mind. Nor did I. (I couldn’t help thinking of Elsa the lion and the movie Born Free.)
Soon, we smiled, said our goodbyes and he walked away.
I think he said they made a nice soup.
Saipan Beachfront Office. Act now!
Act quickly! This one may be gone tomorrow! Are you a writer who needs to escape the hustle and bustle and noise of city life to be creative? Do you dream of having your very own tropical island getaway with a view of the ocean to inspire you? Has a fiji vacation been on your mind, among other islands? Are you just an overworked and underpaid working person who dreams of escape? Well, now you can!
Forget about expensive villas and vacation condos! All you really need is right here!
Wake to a thrilling Saipan sunrise, and after an invigorating run on the beach, (same Jamaican, different beach)
return to your office to get some work done!
Sand-colored floors (colored with real sand); Pine wood walls (provided by real pine trees); stone desk and comfortable stone chair, this open air office is just the ideal setting for your escape.
It doesn’t get any more beachfront than this, folks! Ideal for the minimalist! (However, if you want some more normal accommodations on Saipan, visit www.destinationSaipan.com
Year built: pre-civilization; desk added within last century
Living area: as far as the eye can see
Tenure: Free; Simple.
Land area: all of it
Monthly taxes: $0
The Evolution of a Saipan Sunset
Now that I’m back on Saipan, I’ve had time to process all the experiences and observations of my last six months in China, Laos and Singapore. The pace of life here on Saipan is a bit slower. My days are spent catching up on a lot of loose ends (answering emails, updating websites, etc.) that had been left undone during the Jamaican in China adventures.
Here on Saipan, there are secluded spots as well as not-so-secret beaches where I can sit or stroll for hours and never see another human. Admittedly, that may not be such great news for a mass-marketed tourism economy, but it’s great for getting an exlusive “ring side seat” as the sole observer of the evolution of a Saipan sunset.
April 18, 2011. Saipan’s spectacular secret sunset show begins about 6:00pm every evening
Come early grab a wooden seat.
See you tomorrow. Same time.
Friends in High Places…skewing the distribution
URGENT MEMO TO ALL AFFECTED PARTIES:
Somewhere in the western Pacific there exists a little island of 46.5 square miles in total size. A mere thirteen miles long by an average of 5 miles wide, Saipan, CNMI (Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands) is home to an indigenous population of Chamorros and Carolinians, as well as Filipinos, Chinese, Koreans, Japanese, Thai, Vietnamese, Bangladeshis, Sri Lankans, Australians, Americans, Russians, Canadians, Yapese, Chukese, Palauans, and other Pacific islanders. The total population of Saipan is approximately 40,000–but varies depending on whom you talk with.
8,794.6 miles away in the Caribbean Sea, exists another island of 4,411 square miles. 146 miles long by 51 miles wide, Jamaica is home to an indigenous population of Arawaks, as well as displaced Africans, Maroons, South Asian Indians, Chinese Americans and Brits who all proudly call themselves “Jamaican.” The total population of Jamaica is approximately 2.5 million.
Jamaicans can be found in every corner of the planet. This is by design. It is our job to integrate the global community to make everyone aware of our greatness. In fact, the JPDPD (Jamaican Person Dispersal Prime Directive) requires an even distribution of Jamaicans across all latitudes and longitudes and on all continents. We’ve been given the task of holding key positions in politics (Colin Powell), music (Bob Marley), sports (Patrick Ewing), revolutionary thought (Marcus Garvey), etc., and of occupying the full range of professions and industries. So it should come as no surprise that there is at least one Jamaican on the tiny, remote island of Saipan. The plan demands it.
According to said plan–the details of which remain closely guarded on a “need to know” basis– there should be at least 1 JPPM (Jamaican Person Per Million) people in every population.
However, it appears that somewhere in the Jamaican Person Dispersal Prime Directive Personnel Department [that would be the JPDPDPD], there was a miscommunication, a misdirected memo, or some type of clerical error. For on April 9, 2011, on the tiny, remote island of Saipan, CNMI, with its population of only 40,000 people, there were not the minimum requirement of one, not two, but THREE Jamaicans, all clustered in the same room!!! Furthermore, if that weren’t bad enough, TWO of them held the coveted position of airline pilot! TWO!! (We’re not quite sure about the occupation of the third one, but our investigation is continuing).
This is not an “even distribution,” people!!
Somewhere on the planet, there’s a population missing a Jamaican!! I don’t need to remind you about the ramifications of this! I want a full report on my desk by 5:00pm!
Heads will roll!
Winston Delroy Trevor Courtney Bogle, III
Policy Director, Jamaican Person Dispersal Prime Directive Personnel Department
[That would be the PD of the JPDPDPD]
(click on image to enlarge)
Friends in High Places. Ben, Ron McFarlane, Walt, Cardiff and Chris. Japanese, Jamaican, Jamaican, Jamaican, Japane–Waitaminit! What the—???? Quick, get me a camera! Better yet, get me the PD of the JPDPDPD! There are more Jamaicans per capita on Saipan than, well, even in Jamaica!!
The short happy tale of 41 Australians and the Jamaican on Saipan!
Now it can be told! One of the reasons I returned to Saipan from China specifically when I did was to arrange a special tour for a group of visiting Australians to the island of Saipan. Way back in October of 2010, while I was in Beijing, China, I received a request through my DiscoverSaipan site from Narelle M., one of the activity organizers on a 45-day Sun Princess Cruise Lines tour originating in Sydney, and then continuing to Hong Kong to Japan, a few Pacific Islands and back to Australia. (One of the beautiful benefits of running internet-based businesses is the ability to do so from any location on earth with internet access).
Narelle and I continued our communication throughout my China adventure and we built the excitement as the date approached. However, by the time the cruise kicked off in early March, Narelle was not able to be physically present on the cruise, so I continued organizing with Gaye H. As things progressed, the “Cherry Blossom Tour,” as it had been billed, had to cancel its stops in Japan due to the recent events there. However, the Pacific island leg of the tour was still on!
Most of the arrangements for transportation were made back in November (Thanks for the assist, Miki!), and as the number of interested cruise passengers increased, I had to add more and more vans to handle the ever-increasing group.
Once I returned to Saipan, I met with Scott Russell and Merced Alda of the Mariana Council for the Humanities, as well as local saipanpreneur, Catherine Perry, and Gordon Marciano of PDI, who graciously helped pull things together in the few days before the ship was to arrive.
I wanted to offer our visitors a Saipan experience unlike the standard “big bus, big guns” tour most visitors receive. I wanted to show them the Saipan I fell in love with: the fantastic scenery, the local culture, the warm-hearted residents, and simple daily lifestyle that make Saipan a secret paradise and coveted escape from the ills of modern living. For that, I would need to assemble a special team.
Both Catherine and Scott suggested “Uncle” Lino Olapai as a representative of Saipan Carolinian culture (Lino is author of a book entitled The Rope of Tradition, which can be ordered here; Saipan residents may purchase at Bestseller Books), and John Castro as a representative of things Chamorro.
John (left), Lino and I meet at Java Joe’s a few days before to discuss the tour
My friend, Norman Xing, suggested a Chinese NMC liberal arts student and former tour bus driver who would also be part of the team.
And, to add some feminine energy to the team, John recruited Catherine Shai, homemaker and former cultural dancer.
I awoke on the morning of Tuesday, March 5, 2011, to an auspicious Saipan sunrise. The past three days had seen rain and overcast weather which, if it continued, would threaten the fun and excitement of my Saipan in a Day Tour.
The sunrise on the actual morning of the tour.
We learned a day or two before that, due to an issue with a faulty engine, the ocean liner was delayed and scheduled to arrive at 11:45am.
Vans are picked up…Thanks, Cheryl and Jenny at Microl Toyota!
More vans are picked up…Thanks Layer and Monica at Hertz!
The team met, vans were picked up, logistics were arranged, and all was proceeding well.
The A team: Chamorro Korean Catherine, Chamorro John, Carolinian Lino, Chinese Tom, Jamaican Walt. Thanks Doug! Great Photo!
By 11:00am, the ship could be seen making its final approach to Saipan
We arrived at the dock, and as the members of our 3-van/1-SUV caravan waited for our turn to enter the restricted area, a torrential downpour began at about 12 noon!
Storm clouds gather ominously
After about half hour of rain, the clouds began to pass and we were able to see breaks of blue sky coming in from the south. I knew this would be a good day!
By the time the passengers started to alight, the sky over Saipan was a stunning blue!
We met our group, headed out to my favorite spot, did our special welcome, and did our thing!
Lino leads the group of visitors towards our vans
Welcome, introductions, flowers, mwars and the fun begins!
As I told the visiting Aussies (and New Zealanders and at least two Americans): There is only ONE Lino Olopai on Saipan, and we’ve got him! If you want local expertise on Chamorro culture, there’s only ONE John Castro, and we’ve got him on our tour too! I assured them, that once they returned to the ship and compared notes with the other passengers, they would have had an experience like no other!
Looking on intently
I’ll have to keep some of our Secret Saipan tour, well… a secret, you understand, but I’ll just say that based on the feedback we received, as well as the happy goodbyes, a good time was had by most!
An adventurous ten took Walt’s trek to the best scenic spot on Saipan
Sacred spots and more!
As it was requested by some of our guests, we decided to incorporate some of the big guns into their experience
Next to a big bus….”Ok, where do we go next?”
Bird island
Lino holds court at the Micro Beach Pavilion….history, culture and more!
As the evening drew to a close, I noted to myself that the cloudy evening sky obscured one of Saipan’s greatest assets: the famous Saipan sunset. However, almost on cue, even with an invisible sun, some streaks of hot pink emerged to color the sky and water in front of Micro Beach seemingly just for the benefit of our guests. It lasted no more than 5 minutes, but was enough to elicit some oohs and ahhs from the crowd, and provide a nice end to a special day!
Sunset makes a special brief appearance just for us.
We dropped our visitors back at the dock and said our goodbyes….You should have been there!
And thus concludes The Short Happy Tale of the 41 Australians, the two Chamorros, the Carolinian, the Chinese, and the Jamaican on Saipan!
“What’s up with Saipan?”
That’s what the Immigration agent in Guam asked me, as he leafed through my passport seeing all the entry stamps when I landed, on my way to Saipan. I’ll tell you the same thing I told him: “Pretty women, nicer weather.” (He gave me a shocked look implying, perhaps, that most folks aren’t as honest when asked that question)
So, what am I doing on Saipan? Well, for now, I’m staying with a friend while I look for a new apartment. I also have an event coming up on April 5th that I’ll tell you more about as the date approaches.
In the meantime, I’m just basking in the heat and sunshine, enjoying the scenery, reconnecting my cell phone, reconnecting with friends, and chopping open coconuts.
Thailand-style veggie meal! I’m so lucky!
