Our Hometown
|
|
Greetings from Guam The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quiet, alone with the heavens, nature and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be ... amidst the simple beauty of nature. As long as this exists, and it certainly always will, I know that then there will always be comfort for every sorrow, whatever the circumstances may be. And I firmly believe that nature brings solace in all troubles. - Anne Frank (1929-1945), German Jewish refugee, diarist. I arrived here on Guam in early August of 1997 with the intent of staying "for a year or two." Well, that is what I told myself, my family and friends at the time. Now, as my two year anniversary approaches, people, both in the states and here, have been asking me how long I intend to stay. I shrug it off and reply with the safe, but standard, "I don't know. I'm just playing it by ear." But, as my two-year teaching appointment expires and I am having to jump through hoops to remain certified to teach here, I have been conducting my own personal cost-benefit analysis to determine, as the Clash so aptly put it, "Should I stay or should I go now?" I sat down about a week ago and made two columns on a sheet of paper, labeling one 'Con' and the other 'Pro,' and set about to weigh my fate. Here is what I came up with. Con - Cost of living: Gas, rent, electric bills, fresh produce. If you think gas prices are bad where you are, think again (unless you are reading this on the net from Yugoslavia, in which case you are right - your gas prices are BAD). I pay $1.74 a gallon for 91 octane. Remember what a gallon of gas use to cost before the OPEC oil embargo started in the fall of 1973 (which was a result of our support of Israel during the 1973 Yom Kippur War - always the history teacher)? Let me refresh your memory - 28 cents a gallon. Yeah, them were the days alright. - GovGuam (almost anything run by our local government): Power, water, education, trash collection, Department of Corrections. Power and water outages are as common as coconut trees here. Now, this is not necessarily a bad thing because, while we do have frequent outages, many are a result of making improvements in the power and water systems (most are scheduled outages) - but a drag just the same. And in regards to the Department of Corrections...well, what I am about to tell you is a real mind-boggler (to me, anyway). It was reported recently that a man convicted of a rather brutal double murder a few years back and, subsequently sentenced to life without parole, was allowed to go visit his sick grandmother on Mother's Day - ALONE. Alone. Like unescorted alone. He was also let out last year, this time under armed escort, to go get married in his church. When this story broke, there was no big uproar of any kind. I think Michael Dukakis could revitalize his political career here if he wanted to. - Guam Drivers: Most of whom are color blind when it comes to the color red. - Children in local movie theaters: Got a child who won't stop crying or one that is super hyperactive? Take 'em to the movies! I am not a person who complains a lot. As a matter of fact, I get angry and annoyed at those who spend all their time and energy pointing out the negative aspects of any situation. Actually, I feel sorry for those types of persons because, while they are whining about this and that, life is passing them by. It is too easy to point out the faults of people, places, and things. The challenge is to identify and appreciate the all the good around us. With that said, let's take a look at what makes Guam a special place to live. Pro - Local Politics: I have been through one gubernatorial and legislative election and it looks like I might be around for the "do-over" gubernatorial election, once the courts have their final say in the matter. It's a long and complicated story...we re-elected our governor in November...but he wasn't really really re-elected. I told you it was complicated. Anyway, local politics, whether you are running, watching, or trying to ignore it all, is a gas. It' like having the circus come to you whether you wanted to go see it or not. To an outsider like me, it is an entertaining spectacle. - The People of Guam: In terms of hospitality, generosity, and friendliness, no one group, country, clan, or cult can compete with the wonderful people of this island. I have lived in, and visited for a prolonged period of time, a few different states such as New York, Illinois, Kentucky, and Florida. I have visited some foreign countries such as Canada, Spain, France, and, even lived briefly, in New Jersey. Then there was the 1991 summer tour with the Grateful Dead which covered many states...but I can't seem to recall which ones exactly. But the point is that I have found the people in all these places to be kind and friendly for the most part. But when you come to Guam, the difference is apparent immediately. One word epitomizes the friendliness and generosity of the people of Guam: Fiestas! - Nature and the natural beauty of Guam: I recently ran across the Anne Frank quote I used at the beginning of this article and, for me, that is the magical ingredient that will keep me here for a little while longer. I have had little stress in my life since I arrived here. Sure, I get stressed out over the same things we all worry about - parole hearings, finances, job, finances, and lost car keys, but the stress lasts only minutes for me, not days and weeks like my pre-Guam days. There is so much natural beauty here - the key is to stop and appreciate it. We are a tropical island! Beautiful pristine beaches, lush dense jungles, scenic mountains and river valleys, dazzling coral reefs, and bright beautiful sunshine. I can not count the number of sunrises and sunsets I have watched, but all have bordered on mystical. Lying on a dark, deserted beach and gazing up into a sky alive and dancing with stars...stress doesn't stand a prayer. Even the hurried and rushed stress that results from racing from school to get to swim practice or to the bank before it closes, is easily defeated by a casual glance out at the ocean as I motor along Marine Drive. All of the sudden, I find myself easing off the gas as the calming effects of the Pacific Ocean take over. So I don't get to the bank today? Or I'm late for swim practice? So what? I'm taking time to stop and smell the roses. Life is good, but Guam is better. Hafa Adai Copyright © 1999 |
       |
