Lately I've been trying to adapt to Guam. Agressive drivers, the hype of luxury cars and getting back to Catholicism (Sunday Mass). It's funny, I was born here, in Agana (or is it now called Hagatña?), and it's a little different than what I'm used to. Growing up in Saipan I was told that most Guamanians try too hard to assimilate to American culture, which was frowned upon by the "culture-rich" Chamorros in Saipan. But after spending a few days here, I realize why they're so receptive to being "American." It's mostly a result of the strong military presence and influence here as well as the federalization of the island.
This military presence is scheduled to get even stronger and could possibly dominate the island (in others eyes, it could also further dilute the Chamorro culture). A friend of mine, writer and blogger Desiree Taimanglo-Ventura, has ingeniously expressed her stance on Guam's current state as a U.S. Territory on her blog
The Drowning Mermaid. She defends her culture and people in her most recent entries. She represents a certain mindset that may not be obvious to the Guam visitor.
Check it out.
We still have to do lunch Des...
