In the summer of 1996, my mother took me to Guam, a tiny island sitting on the southern left edge of the Pacific Ocean. The island is known for its military bases among Americans, but for us Japanese, it was known for shining beaches. Mom booked a late-night flight from Narita, and we arrived on the island in early morning. When we landed at the airport, the island was still asleep, wrapped in dim blue, steamy air. Trees with deep green leaves that stood around the runway were the first ones to greet us.

https://guam.stripes.com/travel/my-paradise-my-first-taste-united-states-was-guam

#stripes