Marpo Heights, roosters and trees

Today's walk was back up 'the hill' towards the airport, then east to explore Marpo Heights further. I discovered two things: first, I discovered two homes actually being worked on! Since moving to Tinian, we have noticed all kinds of homes, in different stages of construction, yet have yet to actually see any homes being built or worked on. Most homes were in one of several categories: bombed-out building, tin shack, house with tin roof, concrete house half completed (with rebar or blocks on top of the concrete roof, with the intent of adding another level), and the finished concrete house.

Today I continued to see this mix of homes, but then saw one concrete home being built, and one concrete home that was adding another level. This two-level home was quite a mansion, sitting high on the ridgeline of Marpo Heights, and can be seen from almost anywhere in the valley below.

There are some beautiful homes here, and it made me think of the home we left in Utah...

It's funny how things change. We loved our home--a home built by our own hands (or should I say, by Terri, since she was the one who did most of the work!), and specifically designed for our needs. Over the years we had collected a lot of 'stuff' to fill our home, and had become very comfortable in our life. It seems a long time ago now.

When we moved to Connecticut so Terri could go to PA school, we began to rid ourselves of all of our unnecessary 'stuff'. While in Connecticut, we lived in a one-room studio apartment. While preparing to move to Tinian, we were surprised how much 'stuff' we had to get rid of! So, once again, we began the process of simplifying our lives. Time and again Terri and I have returned to a theme we both believe in: a simple life is the best life.

Terri's family is from the Ohio/Pennsylvania area, and so are very familiar with the Amish and Shaker communities. Terri and I lived in Ohio for a few years (in Shaker Heights), and learned to love the simple life the Shaker people lived. One of the songs the Amish/Shakers sing--a song Terri and I have often gone back to as a 'theme song', is called "Simple Gifts":

'Tis the gift to be simple
'Tis the gift to be free
'Tis the gift to come down to where you ought to be
And when we find ourselves in the place just right
It will be in the valley of love and delight

When true simplicity is gained
To bow and bend we won't be ashamed
To turn, turn will be our delight
Til by turning, turning we come round right

I have learned that the people that seem to be the most happy, are those who can find pleasure in the simple things of life. By finding joy in simple things, life's ups and downs don't seem to matter: if you become rich, you are happy; if you lose everything and become poor, you are still happy because it is not material things that bring you happiness.

Along with the many flowers I have been noticing on my walks, the trees here are also quite beautiful! Of course, the most famous in the area are the flame trees, but many other kinds are also found here.

I mentioned that I had seen a cock-fighting arena on the island. Occasionally you will also see the roosters that are used for fighting. Although there are hundreds (if not thousands) of chickens on the island, it is easy to know which birds are used for this sport:

- they are usually larger than most other chickens
- they are well cared for, and most have houses or sheds built for them
- they usually have one leg tied with a string, to keep them from leaving--they are worth too much money just to let roam free!
- they are beautiful animals, having been washed and cared for, not covered with dirt

Terri and I hope to see a cock fight sometime. We are not sure we will like it--but are interested to see what all the fuss is about (especially since there has been so much said about this sport on the mainland due to Michael Vick being arrested for cock fighting and dog fighting.

My father and I traveled to Mexico to visit my son Isaac, who lives near Mexico City with his wife Jackie, and while there, we attended a bull fight. I found it fascinating, and brutal. It felt as though I was going back in time--like I was permitted to witness some ancient ceremony, like when it was common to sacrifice animals on altars. There are a lot of people who are offended by these type of rituals and sports...but then run down to their local MacDonald's for a hamburger! As long as we are all meat-eaters, I'm not sure we can be so quick to condemn people who have different traditions and mores as we do.

Well, it's the weekend, and Terri does not have call at the hospital, so we should be able to get in some good snorkeling and beach time!