Insight from a mistaken stranger

Last week I stepped foot on Saipan for the first time. I was on the second leg of my journey throughout the Pacific Islands, and had expected the Mariana Islands to be an intriguing, albeit minor component of a “sushi-themed” travel book that I am writing. I had anticipated my brief stay on Saipan to include multiple visits to various restaurants, and other informal events that might offer opportunities to taste local fare. This plan was interrupted by an odd, although not unwelcome, encounter with an eccentric resident named Clark. The 16 hours I spent with Clark revealed an island steeped in zesty politics, mixed cultures, and exciting future prospects. I am writing this letter as a testament to what I believe is a Commonwealth full of potential. In fact, I believe the Northern Marianas to be a pivotal template in which new, exciting ideas can be meshed with rich cultural roots. In all my travels for culinary journalism, I have never seen such a perfect petri dish for a novel paradise. Please pardon any foolish assumptions or asinine comments that I offer herein. I am simply an outside observer, and a commenter by trade.

Now, the reason I spent 16 hours with Clark is due to a common gaffe. I share not only a name, but a remarkably similar physique, facial composition, and vocal array to the actor Bill Murray. In many countries I have unintentionally fooled scores of people my age into believing I am the high-profile Hollywood persona, although the astute observer could easily call my bluff (assuming I was bluffing to begin with). Clark was not one of those observers, and he instantly took the cognitive leap from my introduction as “William” to the informal “Bill.” It was obvious he was attempting to subdue his excitement, so I decided I’d spend a day living out an alter ego: I would be Bill Murray, and hopefully receive a Hollywood star’s tour of the Island.

I met Clark atop your beautiful mountain (Tapochau?), when he awkwardly interrupted my morning meditation. He was kind enough to explain the layout of Saipan, describing the historical spread of development between villages, and the various occupations that have left their respective cultural marks. I must say that I have yet to find a comparable flux of identities anywhere. We spent the day wandering the various tourist collection points as I did my best to recite popular lines from well-known films with Bill Murray. I’m not sure Clark enjoyed it, but I certainly did.

While the sights and sounds of Saipan were all noteworthy, it was the current state of affairs that fascinated me most, and that is what I wanted to pick Clark’s brain about. Having lived here for a few decades, he noted that the current and expected growth, and the accompanying demographic transitions, were sailing the CNMI into uncertain waters. I had read enough of the local news the previous day to understand that there was a mix of feelings about the directions in which the CNMI might be heading, but what I did not perceive was optimism. In all my travels I have noticed that optimism is a primary ingredient in the recipe for energetic work and progress. Clark told me that such optimism certainly exists on Saipan, yet it doesn’t break the surface of that sea of criticism that seems to drown out other sentiment. I am hoping that in contributing this letter, and explicitly highlighting the vibrant potential of the Marianas as a natural, cultural, and economic drawing board, that some hint of optimism finds its way into print, and perhaps lodges itself in the back of a few brains. Godspeed, and apologies to Clark for posing as a famous actor.

William J. Murray
Decatur, Illinois