At least technology-wise.
We have wireless at home, but we can't use it with voice over IP, so no Skype, Facetime, etc from home. We can use the free wireless at the library, coffeeshops, bowling alley, etc., but it doesn't work with my iPad 2 because of some compatibility issue.
We have DSL for internet, so no high-speed stuff. Just to post a blog takes over an hour, because the internet constantly goes in and out. From 7 pm to 10 pm (or 1900 to 2200 hours), you can barely get on, and forget about any social networking sites during that time period.
There is "high speed" internet available through the cable company, but there is a waiting list. I signed up and inquired about how long it would take, and the clerk just laughed and laughed. And laughed some more. I took that as a bad sign.
No wireless at either school, either, and the internet is wonky there, as well.
We also have power outtages. It's not unusual to come home and all the clocks are blinking.
You can have a cell phone here, but only island-to-island. And by "island," I only mean GTMO. GTMO is NOT Cuba, by the way. I mean the 45 square miles that is GTMO. (More about how Guantanamo Bay is NOT Cuba for another blog). If you do have a cell phone, it cannot have a camera. Sprint has been great---they let military service members and anyone serving them overseas keep their phone numbers and phones, and they will reconnect us (without an extra charge) when we return for summer vacation.
We have to use a land line to call back to the states. It's 50 cents to connect, and 9 cents a minute. At least that's much cheaper when I called Rick in S. Korea in the 90s ($8 to connect, around $2 a minute). We can't use Skype or Magic Jack to call from here, so that's the best price. It is what it is.
Gas? The only gas station's pump broke a while back (before I got here in Oct), and it has not been fixed yet. For a while, you had to go to the station at the motor pool. At over $4 a gallon, you have no choice but wait (I waited an hour) to get gas from the only pump for civilian cars on base. There is now a tanker truck next to the outdoor theatre that has gas, so it's a bit easier. But it's still expensive. And it's only available a few hours a day.
I finally got my first piece of mail that wasn't a local bill. My mom sent H a birthday package and it took 2 weeks and a day to get here (Priority Mail). I have to have Christmas cards in the mail by Monday if they are going to get to the US on time. Needless to say, there will be no Christmas cards this year.
U.S. Mail comes to my workplace since there aren't enough boxes at the PO for everyone, and as far as I can tell, there are only 2-3 days a week we get mail. It depends on whether or not a plane comes in that day.
Speaking of planes, there are six flights a month: every Saturday, and every other Tuesday. Those are military flights, which is what most people here take. There are flights on another airline to Jamaica, Puerto Rico, or Ft Lauderdale every week, so there are a few more getaway options.
Daily, I feel like I'm back in the 1990s. I've been in a time warp. It can be summed in the bumper sticker on one of my neighbor's cars: "GTMO---You Can't Make This Sh*t Up."
True that.
Now, here's the thing.
Last night, hubby and I went to the movie theatre. It's at the Lyceum, which is an open air theatre with movie seats (waterproof, of course), bleachers, or areas to bring your own chairs. The movie was a first-run movie (James Bond on opening night), and it was FREE, just like all movies. We're sitting here amongst contractors, Jamaican and Filipino workers, military personnel, civilians, all laughing together, oohing and aahing together, under the stars. There was a light breeze, it was perfect weather, and we kept looking at each other and saying, "Can you believe this?" We used to go to the drive-in movie theatre in Shelton, WA, and this was up there with that experience---but better, because we were under the stars instead of in our cars. Best movie experience ever.
Every day starts with the Star Spangled Banner played over a PA system base-wide (Reveille). You stop everything until its over. People stop their cars, too. Same at sundown, when they play music as they are taking down the flag (Retreat). By the way, the Star Spangled Banner has the same effect on me as Amazing Grace and Taps---I tear up every time I hear it. It's some crazy Pavlovian response. So I get to tear up every day. Oh, and the movie starts with everyone standing at attention for it, as well.
Men outnumber women here 5-1. I get "yes ma'am"-ed at least 5 times a day, never have to open a door for myself, and I like that. I was raised in MS. I'm a feminist and yes, I can open a door for myself (and I always open a door for other people---men and women---too). But I like men with manners. We call it "good home training" where I come from. My guys have been raised the same way, but it's nice that they see it in action daily here.
Jamaicans and Filipinos are contracted to work many manual labor and hourly jobs here. They are the clerks at the fast food restaurants, the phone company, the cable company. They bag your groceries, cut your hair, pump your gas. They are the groundskeepers/landscapers all over the island. They work in almost every building. There is a very good Jamaican restaurant (The Jerk House) as a result of the influx of Jamaicans. Nothing like being greated by someone taking your order who shakes your hand, introduces himself, and says, "How can I help you sista?" and "How can I help you, brotha?" in that wonderful Jamaican accent. We are talking REAL Jamaican food with Scotch Bonnet peppers, not the U.S. version. Still spicy, but so, so much better. The Filipinos don't have their own restaurant (drat!), but you can get lumpia in the freezer section. They are the hardest working people on the island. I love to hear Tagalog or Jamaican pidgen in the grocery store, NEX, library, or businesses. It's like music every where you go.
There's a saying on tee shirts here that's so true: "It's on the Barge." The barge from the US comes on Tuesdays, and every Tuesday is like Christmas up in the Commissary/NEX. You never know what they are going to get that week. If your mail/packages/car/household goods (that would be military lingo for all your stuff you are moving from the US) haven't made it, try again next Tuesday. The part to fix to one gas pump? It's on the barge. Your household goods you've been waiting for since August? They're on the barge. People laugh about it. It's a test in patience, and it's what bonds people here together---the ridiculousness of waiting a week for bacon.
You can't make this sh*t up.
Since living here, we've all spent a whole lot less time online and a whole lot more time playing cards. We can go to the beach 365 days of the year (and unlike parts of the U.S., you can here swim year-round). I'm looking forward to getting a tan again. I'm loving seeing my kids at my work every day. My neighbors mow my yard, lend me a car, and don't expect anything but a "thank you" in return (and when they say that they do it for all new people, they really mean it---everyone here has stories about someone doing the same for them).
I'm loving life here. Much more to write about---the kids are finally in school, H had a birthday, we lost someone we both love back in the U.S., and we got a Gitmo Special! But the sun is calling, and two more beaches opened today, so even though the internet is actually working at this minute, that will just have to wait.
Headed to the beach! And yes, that's a lighthouse in the distance.
It's so good to see you doing so well. Color me envious. It's Rachel, BTW.
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