my parents left vietnam 35 years ago in april 1975, just days before the fall of saigon. they were among millions of boat people who pretty much left all their belongings behind, crammed into a small boat and said farewell to their homeland. after being picked up by a u.s. ship, first stop guam, and there, anderson air force base, where i just visited yesterday. like the few other air force bases i've been to, it's sprawling, encompassing pretty much all of the northern part of guam, and well-manicured, with wide swaths of beautiful green grass (probably the only green grass on the island). drive a little further out, though, and you can't believe you're on a u.s military base..the tropical plants, the cliffs, the hot, humid weather, and the gorgeous, gorgeous beaches.
it's a little surreal to think that i was actually on this island with my parents back then, as a 2 month old baby. my friend jokes that she can't believe they didn't trade me for a bowl of rice. and then she thought, they prolly did trade me for a bowl of rice and these aren't my real parents after all. regardless, i'm incredibly grateful for all that i've received thus far and the opportunities that have strangely led me back here.
it's a little surreal to think that i was actually on this island with my parents back then, as a 2 month old baby. my friend jokes that she can't believe they didn't trade me for a bowl of rice. and then she thought, they prolly did trade me for a bowl of rice and these aren't my real parents after all. regardless, i'm incredibly grateful for all that i've received thus far and the opportunities that have strangely led me back here.
No comments:
Post a Comment