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Saipan celebrates soggy Thanksgiving Day
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Posted on Nov 26 2004
“Rain or shine, we’re going to celebrate.”
So said Garapan resident Maximo Phillips, who celebrated his first Thanksgiving on Saipan yesterday, as the sound and aroma of sizzling slabs of steak rose from a barbeque grill stationed under a tarp.
“I arrived from Chuuk this year, so this is the first time [I] and my family will celebrate Thanksgiving here. I don’t have to work today, and there’s a lot for us to be thankful for, so we’re going to party down,” he said.
Despite the inclement weather, Phillips’ family was not the only one crowding the public pavilions on beaches around the island as many others also gathered and set up grills and tents along Beach Road.
San Vicente resident Vince Sablan Jr., his family, and friends were among those who decided to take their feast to the beach.
“We almost cancelled and moved to our house in San Vicente, but you know what, it’s okay…we can take this,” said the 28-year-old Sablan Jr. as his family and friends dined at Civic Center. “During hot days, people would crave for rain and now it’s raining, so let’s take what we can get and just enjoy each other’s company.”
The Sablans did just that and, with roasted turkey, gravy, fried chicken, red rice, papaya coco, pumpkin pies, sodas and alcoholic beverages, spent hours chatting, singing, and enjoying their rainy Thanksgiving gathering.
Several also spent the day with departed loved ones at the Chalan Kanoa cemetery.
“This is a special day, and every Thanksgiving and other holidays, I would bring my family here to pay our respect and offer our appreciation to my parents,” said Jared Lizama. “After here, we’re going to my brother-in-law’s house in Kagman to celebrate.”
While many were cutting pieces from turkeys, security guard Mohammed Alam was on duty, manning his post at a poker establishment in San Antonio.
“Yes, I work today and I like it and I am happy to have my job,” he said. “I have a Chamorro friend who told me to go to his house after work for party, so maybe I’ll go there and join his family.”
