Earlier this week, North Korea announced a detailed plan to launch four Hwasong-12 ballistic missiles at the ocean around 35 kilometers off the coast of Guam, an act supposedly completed by Mid-August. In retaliation, President Donald Trump has threatened even greater destruction to be rained down upon the government of North Korea and was quickly backed by Japan and South Korea, who would not tolerate such a display of arms from the North.

The deliberate choice of launching the missiles off the coast of Guam seems odd, since attacking anywhere near as U.S. Territory would lead to swift annihilation; why not attack the island directly, or any of the military bases that take up over a third of its area? We can't pretend to understand the motives of Kim Jong-un or anything that goes on in his head at all, but we can understand the very real fear* of the residents of Guam.

*read: stoicism

Citizens of Guam actually don't seem to care that much about said threats. For years they have been grimly resigned to the fact that if North Korea ever wanted to make an attack on the USA, they were prime pickings. However, the fact that the plan is so incredibly detailed and has a "due date" does leave the people feeling a little more threatened than usual, but not by much. The Guam Pacific Daily News went to a few stores in different cities around Guam and found out that instead of stocking up on emergency supplies such as generators, flashlights, and non-perishable goods, the islanders are displaying normal shopping habits, picking up items for barbecues, toilet paper, and the everyday essentials.

This attitude of resignation is not to be mistaken for insouciance. While they are aware that this threat seems greater and more provocative than any before, they have faith in the abilities of the military bases surrounding them, on the mainland, and in Japan and South Korea. The only anxiety most of them report is the worry that "China or Russia [may become] involved on either side." Any attack from or on North Korea could very well result in a war that extends beyond the nation's own borders and lasts longer than a single strike from the USA.

Guam has been a popular getaway for Asian and American tourists alike for years, and it is interesting to note that local resorts and hotels haven't reported any cancellations or vacancies since North Korea's plans were announced. Life is proceeding as normal on the island, as people weigh abandoning their jobs to flee less heavily than repercussions from said courses of action. In fact, some entrepreneurs in the area are even making bank off of the threats.

At Infusion Coffee, the baristas have begun making mushroom cloud latte art, and the coffee is selling pretty quick. The staff knows that it's not truly a joking matter, but a chance to lighten up and enjoy life, laugh in the face of possible danger, is exactly what they feel the citizens of their country need. In the end, who is to argue? We can only wait and see what August holds for the world. Here's to hoping that nothing more than latte art and memes come of it.