Relationships with Yap

Historically the Japanese and Yapese have not gotten along very well. When the Japanese came to Yap in the 1940s they came with the attitude that they were far superior and simply could take and do whatever they wanted. Some of the local Yapese said that the Japanese policemen would beat the Yapese without any cause or they would take things from them whenever they wanted. They said they would see a crab run into a sacred statue to hide. Well the Japanese saw no problem tearing down the statue to get the one little crab, no matter how important the statue was for the Yapese. These kinds of actions have not been forgotten and is a big reason why the Yapese are opposed to having outsiders come in and build a mega resort. They are very passionate about tradition and they felt as though outsiders will disrespect their values. I think one of the reasons that Queens has been so successful on our trips to Yap is because we do respect and value the Yapese opinion and beliefs. Like we discussed in class, we ask what needs to be done instead of telling the Yapese what needs to be done. We show a genuine interest in what they want and need which is why we have the relationship we do with them. As long as we continue to show respect for their beliefs and values I believe we will be welcomed back for years to come.  However the same cannot be said for the Japanese and Chinese. Their actions ruined any chance they had for successfully negotiating with the Yap people. 

Betel Nut

      There has been a lot of talk about Betel Nut ever since I have heard about Yap. I remember coming to Queens my freshman year and hearing former students talk about how awesome Yap was. In all of their stories they would talk about Betel Nut and how all the locals chewed it and it would stain their teeth. They talked about how they would try it and it was like a mild head high. This along with their other stories really is what first attracted me to Yap.

The areca nut is the seed of the areca palm, which grows in much of the tropical Pacific, Asia, and parts of east Africa. It is commonly referred to as betel nut, as it is often chewed wrapped in betel leaves. The areca nut is not a true nut, but rather a drupe. It is commercially available in dried, cured and fresh forms. While fresh, the husk is green and the nut inside is soft enough to be cut with a typical knife. In the ripe fruit, the husk becomes yellow or orange and, as it dries, the fruit inside hardens to a wood-like consistency. From there it is cut up and wrapped up in the betel nuts palms. It produces a mild stimulant feeling very similar to drinking coffee.

The Yapese start chewing betel nut very early and as a result it stains their teeth red or orange. It is a social norm that is followed and it is a way for them to calm down and relax after a long day. They have been chewing this for thousands of years and it is really embedded in their culture. The reason why this betel nut is so interesting is because of the social impact that it has within their community. When I researched around I found that being too stingy or too giving is frowned upon. I also discovered that being offered betel nut by the islanders is a sign of acceptance and should not be taken lightly. It actually shows you are welcomed and esteemed within their community. I can imagine bonding with the Yapese people while chewing with them was a great experience for the former students. Id imagines the bond and stories shared while experiencing the betel nut is what made it so great. 

 

Im going to be so wet in Yap

When I told people I wanted to go to Yap they all looked at me like I was talking about going through the wardrobe to Narnia. Most people have absolutely no idea where Yap is or that it even really exists. I end up having to explain to them that its in Micronesia….which means I end up explaining where Micronesia is and the only thing anyone understands is that its near Guam, and im still not confident most people I talk to could point out where Guam is on a map. Then the conversation usually goes to why I decided on Yap when I could have gone to Spain, Italy or anywhere else in the world. I simply explain I want to go where nobody else has gone and for the world class diving. Now I must admit that the original reason I wanted to go to Yap was solely for the diving but after learning about the people history and culture I think there is so much more to learn, but this blog is about my unparalleled excitement to dive so we will talk about that later. 

 

Diving in Micronesia is at the top of most divers list due to the great marine diversity, clear waters and its exquisite beauty. While diving in Yap you are almost guaranteed to see some Grey Reef sharks, which is not as common as most people think. Ive been diving for a number of years and have dove about 50 or so times and may have seen six sharks. Either way they are absolutely beautiful to watch in their environment and you gain a different understanding of how these apex predators really operate. They aren’t mindless killing machines but are very precise and calculated with their actions. I don’t know its sounds cliché but once you guys actually are under with them you will understand what im talking about. I had the opportunity to do a shark dive in Hawaii a few years ago. The dive master took us to the ocean floor and broke out a huge bucket of chum that attracted the sharks. As you can imagine quite a few came and ate the chum. I was fairly oblivious to anything happening around me besides what was in front of me but while I was watching the dive master I felt a solid punch in my rib. I looked over and saw a nurse shark had ran into me and was floating right beside me. I looked around a little nervous but the dive master informed me that this particular shark liked to have its nose scratched.  So I began to stroke her nose, which was by far one of the most surreal moments in my life. She just laid in my hands until she decided she was ready to move on to the next person. This opportunity is really what gave me a completely different outlook on how sharks really operated compared to what everyone had seen in movies and on shark week. Another huge attraction to the Yap diving scene are the Manta Rays. Mantas are truly gentle giants regardless of how intimidating they may look or be.  Mantas can weigh up to 5000 pounds and span 25 feet wide.  They are filter feeders so they consume a ton of plankton or small creatures daily. According to a lot of websites they are actually very curious friendly creatures that aren’t bothered by humans and will actually come very close to you. Ive never had the opportunity to see one of these magnificent creatures but I can only imagine what it would be like to see a giant Manta gliding through the water.

 

Needless to say im so excited to have the opportunity to go to Yap and experience all of its island culture and its people. I really feel like this is a once in a life time opportunity and I plan to make the most of it. Ive got to be honest though….im super excited to get under the ocean and explore Micronesia’s diverse marine life. Like the title suggests, I plan on getting super wet in YapC