Mango Festival

Trade expanded from just the Pacific islands to beyond (thanks to the Spanish). And where people go, food follows. One of those was the mango. Many varieties were brought to Guam and contributed to a diverse collection. Although, recently the number of trees have been dwindling. This past year in particular, a storm blew through and knocked off many of the developing flowers that would have turned into fruit now. The result is a lower number of mangoes this season. However, it also results in a late bloom. So all the excitement for this season has been postponed.

The festival itself was exciting. Tour buses brought people from all over the world and service men and women from the military bases came out too. Locals of course came out to enjoy the fun. Carnival rides and bouncy-houses greeted the children. Local radio stations took turns MCing and contestants running for Miss World Guam came out and showcased their talents.

Local food vendors worked together to get you ready to eat. They tickled your noses with an array of smells. They excited your ears with pops of frying, crunches of ice, and yelling to one another for more food.

I went around and got full off the free samples alone. As I did, I heard countless conversations in different languages; English, Chamorro, Chuukese, Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Russian, various dialects of Tagalog, and a handful of others I do not recognize.

All the vendors I came across were local. Started by the people of Guam and run by them too. Greeted by a “hafa adai” (hello) and a smile, conversations were meaningful and genuine.

It wasn’t before long that my family and I ran into a person we knew. A small conversation about how each of us was doing took place before we resumed to our day.

We got left after getting a bag full of mango, hutu, and some rosekette.

: Mangoes still on a tree as we past by.

: “Mannge'” means cold in Chamorro

: These tags show who’s property they grew up on.

: These tags show who’s property they grew up on.

: These tags show who’s property they grew up on.

: These tags show who’s property they grew up on.

: These tags show who’s property they grew up on.

: These tags show who’s property they grew up on.

: These tags show who’s property they grew up on.

: These tags show who’s property they grew up on.

: These tags show who’s property they grew up on.

: These tags show who’s property they grew up on.

: Strawberry, Mango, and Pineapple samples from a vendor

: BBQ

: Drinks with chunks of fruit are always present at any festival. You simply cannot have a drink without anything to eat in it.

: Drinks with chunks of fruit are always present at any festival. You simply cannot have a drink without anything to eat in it.

: Drinks with chunks of fruit are always present at any festival. You simply cannot have a drink without anything to eat in it.

: Bubble tea

: Mangoes, Hutu, and Bananas from a local vendor

: Sweet, smooth, and cold. the $2 was well worth it.

: McDonalds has a vendor and they give out samples of their smoothies. They pale in comparison to the others.

: Pastries from a local bakery.

: Screens keep the flies off the food, and give a sense of sinfulness. To see and smell them, I cannot help but feel like a fly myself.

: Screens keep the flies off the food, and give a sense of sinfulness. To see and smell them, I cannot help but feel like a fly myself.

: Behind all the vendors, the cooks work behind a curtain of smoke to keep up with demand. Always cooked fresh on site.

: With sweetness fried to perfection, I can see why the line for this vendor is 50 ft long.

: Growing up, I can only remember unmarked trash bags. Nothing was sorted, it was all trash- plastic, food, cans, etc. This shows the shift and effort that the island is making- one in the right direction for sure.

: Growing up, I can only remember unmarked trash bags. Nothing was sorted, it was all trash- plastic, food, cans, etc. This shows the shift and effort that the island is making- one in the right direction for sure

: Spice is life here on Guam. My family bought 2 jars and I don’t think it is going to last 3 weeks.

: Sweets next to pickled mango. Candy stores on island bring in candy from the mainland, all throughout Asia and even features local candy. Colourful and flavourful aisles raise my blood sugar levels just by walking through them.