For some reason the whole idea of being marooned on a desert isle has intrigued me since I was a kid. I remember loving "Gilligan's Island".
The whole story inspired many hours of make-believe play sitting in my father's fishing boat that was parked on it's trailer in the driveway.
Then there was The Swiss Family Robinson.
I loved that movie...and imagined myself as one of the family members living in that tree-house they built.
And what about Lord Of The Flies?!
Creepy but I was drawn to it!
So this whole conversation I had with my daughter about her friend that lives up on Pagan alone got me thinking.....mulling this idea over and over again in my mind....
I'm actually thinking of seeing if I can join an expedition and go up there to the Northern Islands and stay for a bit....not now of course. We've got to shove off for Japan soon...
But, later on...after things settle. My friend the boat captain leads expeditions in the summer time when the vulcanologists come out.
I was talking to my adult ESL class about it (turned out to be quite an interesting topic for conversation) and they thought I was off my rocker! None of them would even think about doing anything like this.
Would you?
Would you, given the chance, spend at least two weeks on an uninhabited island?
I dream about it. I imagine having all day every day -with no trace of civilization. No phones, internet, stores or daily chaos.
My students asked me what I'd do all day....well..aside from hunting and gathering (or opening a few cans and making a fire so I could eat) I'd write.
I'd write down every thing I did, saw, felt and thought. I'd try and document as much as possible so I could share it with my children or grandchildren....or whoever was interested enough to read it.
What a great and challenging way to get to know what you are really made of.
What an awesome spiritual experience it could turn out to be!
I have not discussed this with hubby...I'm assuming after he recovers from a massive coronary-I'll have to sweet-talk him into letting me go on a trip like this.
He should look on the bright side- I won't need a lot of pocket money!
So...would you do it?
4 comments:
I don't know if I could. In theory I would love to - such a rare opportunity, and one that will be even rarer as the years tick by and we continue to f*** more of the planet up. You should go for it - as long as there's no big wild animals. hmmmm. I automatically think of Survivor.
It sounds tempting, but no, I would not.
I might have done it while I was young, but even then I'd be too scared to be totally on my own.
I once stayed on a hut in the wooods for a week with no known neighbors.
Boy, I heard so many walking around the hut in the darkness..
It was long before the time of the cellphones, so I had no way of communicating with the outer world.
I brought with me an old fashioned typewriter, but hardly wrote a single word.
No desert island for me, neither dark woodland.
If I were not so spongy, I can imagine it might have been a great experience though.
I would do it! Absolutely!
And may I tell you that I LOVE your blog! I've been researching Saipan as there's a slim chance I may get offered a job there and want to be prepared just in case. I randomly found your blog 3-4 days ago and have been reading my way through it ever since.
You're a great writer and I wanted to tell you how much I appreciate reading your story! I can relate to you on so many points. This Oregon gal thanks you!
Ahhh...come on Gaijinwife! We could go and "rough it" together...you, me and a couple of bottles of umeshu...no hubbies or kiddies...no translation projects...yep I'm seriously thinking about it-what a great writing project it would inspire!
Felisol...lol...well, at least on an uninhabited island I'd know no one else was there! There is only one place to land a boat on the island...you can hear a boat approaching a mile away. Now if PIRATES decided to land...well...that might be a problem. :)
TRIPMUTT! THANK you for visiting my blog! I'm so glad it was helpful (?). If you have any questions about Saipan feel free to go to my profile and give me an email...I'll see if I can answer your questions!
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