Business trip to Siapan 
Well I had to go to Siapan this weekend for business. Arrived ~10 AM and didn’t get to see my room until 9 PM ( 
). Meetings/explainations/introduction and socializing the whole time. All in all it was a very good day.
Everyone was VERY interested in the IntSmarty and what it was, how it worked, and how it was going. Most of the developers I met and am now working with had never heard of or used Smarty so I also had to explain how that worked so I could then explain how the Intsmarty worked. It was fun talking about (and at times arguing about) error handling, the security I am using for the site and it’s database, coding/DB naming conventions to be followed (I managed to win some fights and lose some - so I guess it all worked out right ), what they were working on and how and if it may connect to my site, Smarty and IntSmarty, and finally the databases and database designs .
All in all it was a very good time (though I would have liked to talk more about what they were doing - it looked interesting). And I am very pleased that the Software Engineer likes my coding style. I always thought I coded well and clearly, but it is nice to have someone else verify it. Went to dinner with Jun (the Marianas Resort and Spa programmer) and had a lot of fun. The restaurant he took me to was excellant and we sat and catched up with each other.
It is interesting and at times frustrating to be working with such an international group of programmers and engineers. With the language and custom barriers we sometimes run into, we all definately have to remember to relax and go slowly. This whole project is teaching me alot - in coding, in working with a team, and in working with others from a different country and culture. I still do not know the proper way to be introduced to someone from Japan. From what have observed - I am to hand the person my business card with 2 hands (holding only the top corners) so the card faces the person and bow. If I am receiving the card - I am to grasp their card with 2 hands (touching only the bottom 2 corners) and bow in return. *Sigh* There is so much to learn.
December 25th, 2004 at 4:05 pm
Is there any cheep motels on Saipan?
I only found two listed both over125 a day.
do I need a passport to go there?
Is it not usa terr like Guam?
December 25th, 2004 at 6:29 pm
I am sure there are. Have you contactd a travel agent? Most of the hotels online will be the higher quality ones - thus the more expensive ones.
Yes - you will be required to have a US passport to get there. Siapan is not a US territory - it is part of the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands (CNMI) though it does use the US dollar as it’s currency.
Hope that helps.
June 4th, 2005 at 5:28 am
Actually, the CNMI is a US territory, the same as Puerto Rico.
February 15th, 2006 at 10:56 am
The CNMI is not the same as Puerto Rico. It is a country in union with the United States. Puerto Rico is a US territory. Depending on where you are from depends if you need a passport. If you’re coming from the US mainland, you probably need a passport as connections are generally in Korea or Japan though you might be able to snag a flight mainland to Hawaii to Guam to Saipan and not need a passport.
Saipan, always try to ask for the local or government rate. Cheaper by a lot. $180 vs. $40 in one case.