Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands

Probably stranger than you expect.

You might be wondering where this place is. It’s way out there.

This is what you see as you leave the airport.

So, why am I here? It’s to canvas for Bernie Sanders. These territories don’t get a vote in the final election, but they do in the Democratic primary. My vote in California is meaningless, of course Bernie was going to win the primary there.

But there’s a catch. I had to book the ticket before I knew the rest of it. By the time I got there, I knew it was kind of pointless. That made me rethink the US political process. Biden won Democratic votes in the primary by winning states that will never vote Democrat in the election. Depressing, and lesson learned.

It was still worth doing. That little shack by the beach is a small restaurant. I asked why there were so many cargo ships. The lady behind the counter said it was way more than usual. It was the beginning of COVID-19.

This is the Imperial Water Fountain hotel/casino, which now seems to be closed. It was all marble and fountains inside, but they were not fans of me taking pictures. That place worked by letting Chinese people on package tours in with a special visa. But it seems that relationship has broken down.

This place sells swords and guns. It was surprising at first, but I guess you can just go to Walmart on the mainland.

Turns out the fire department needs trucks and boats here.

I can recommend The Original Lucky Bill, a Thai restaurant that also sells supplies.