Saipan. It's hard to believe I've made this my home away from home since 2003. A lot has changed on the island and most is not for the better. Over the last 22 years, all the garment factories have closed. What a hit. On top of a rough local economy, there were two super typhoons and covid within a five year span. Therefore, things didn't stand a chance for improvement. So the island just continues to deteriorate. I drove by the movie theatre today. Closed. I drove by DFS Galleria. Closed. Favorite stores and restaurants. Closed. I learned last week, that many of the hotels (the ones still open...Hyatt closed while I was here last summer...and Kensington will soon close its doors) are low occupancy and therefore running on half staff. So when I tried to go for sunset smoothies at one of my favorite hotels, I was not all shocked to see the sign "Happy Hour Temporarily Closed." (I think I would have been more shocked had it been open.) Finally, friend after friend waits to hear how long they will have their job. It's tough on island.
I wasted no time in adjusting to local life. My local ID is updated making me golden for local discounts for the next five years. I have a temporary phone. (A girl can only break down in a boonie car/van so many times when it's just best to go get a temp phone!) I have had my pedicure, massage, and pancit. I've been crafting with the old gang. And now I'm sitting here sweating listening to the neighbors play their local music. Yep, I'm an islander again.
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