Elger Invasion

Unfortunately, the prohibitive cost of holiday travel ($2500 RT per person) prevented Liz and I from returning to Georgia for our Christmas break.  However, we were fortunate enough to have quite an alternative present itself.  Bracketing the holiday season would be visits from the Elgers (Dec 2-16) and Smiths (Jan 21 – Feb 2), bringing a little bit of Habersham to the islands to soothe our souls.  Jan and John came first, followed closely by Thomas and Tab (the middle week of the two week period).  All seemed to enjoy the hospitality and sights of the island.  Highlights included the endless flow of Asian snack foods and beverages(Thomas and Tab), great snorkeling on hidden beaches (Thomas, Tab, John), affordable cleaning and drop-off laundry (John), endless supplies and varieties of tea (Jan, Thomas) and time mothering her sons and daughters-in-law (Jan).  All four were ready to move after their short time there, and found themselves beginning to understand the strange pull that this delightful, frustrating, gorgeous, third world, small town America place known as Saipan can have on somebody.  It was sad to see them go, but exciting to have one more group of people who (even in a small way) understood the unforgettable experience provided by the CNMI. 

The Elger Clan in Saipan

John in the backwoods of Saipan

Thomas taking photos in the Japanese Communications Building on Tinian

Tabitha at a Japanese Monument on Tinian

Jan on Saipan