Bananas, Betel Nut, and Boonie Dogs

Saipan is a very unique place, and we often find ourselves very puzzled by its quirks.  There seems to be no rhyme or reason to how things operate.  The cost of living is generally higher than we expected, yet many things that are expensive in the states are very cheap here, and vice versa (For example, jumbo size name brand shampoo is like $4.  A pack of sharpie markers is around $18).  Banks are open until 3 every day, except Friday when they stay open until 6.  Huh?!?

There are fresh fruit and veggie stands all around the island which boast local products at cheap (and negotiable) prices.  There are all sorts of fruit on Saipan: mangoes, coconuts, bananas, etc.  The Saipan quirk to the fruit - everything is fun-sized.  No idea why that is, but any local fruit is a miniature version of what we get - its fantastic - food is always more fun when its either tiny or oversized.  Why is that?

Quirk #2 - Betel Nut.  More of a foul habit than a quirk.  Betel nut is a nut (surprise!) about the size of a large walnut.  The locals smash the nut and mix it with tobacco and lime, then roll it in a banana leaf and chew like chewing tobacco.  Its generally banned at schools and in businesses, for obvious reasons.  The spit from betel nut is blood red since the inside of the nut is red in color, so the streets of Saipan constantly look like the aftermath of a mass bird suicide.  The other crazy thing about betel nut is that its widely used and acceptable.  In the states, chewing tobacco is generally frowned upon, but here you'll see little kids, middle aged businessmen, grandmothers - anyone and everyone.  Younger chewers' teeth is stained red, but as they age into seasoned chewers their teeth gradually becomes charcoal black.  Even after giving it that sparkling of a recommendation, I still want to try it once.  When in Rome, right?

Finally, but rest assured there will be several other installments of Saipan quirks, are the hundreds and hundreds of boonie dogs that find their home on Saipan.  They're literally everywhere, and although one would usually equate something like this to a third world country, you get used to them being around really quickly as just another part of life.  For the most part, the boonie dogs live normal healthy lives - people feed them, sometimes even "adopt" them as their own.  As the saying goes, it truly takes a village to raise a boonie dog. 

We, in fact, have our own boonie dog who lives in our apartment complex.  I named him Lloyd (although later found out his name is Billy - which is lame so I call him Lloyd).  Lloyd is a great looking dog, the protector of Coral Island, and generally a good-natured, kind animal.  I feed Lloyd every day, and we've gotten to the point that he's there waiting with tail wagging every morning for me.  We're not at the level that I pet Lloyd yet, although that's not a bad thing because Lloyd smells like he may have died two or three weeks ago.  We've never experienced such a smell like Lloyd. Colleen can barely keep it together as she runs past him to the car every day.  Lloyd may smell like wet rotten feet, but he has quickly found his place in our hearts.