Sunday, June 19, 2011
Cardboard Boat Regatta
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Thinking about working in Gitmo? Read this!
I was inspired by a comment on my first blog post to write to those who might be thinking of working in GTMO as a civilian or active duty. Here is a list of things to consider. This is not complete by any means, but it should help with the decision making process:
1. It is at least 80 degrees here year round. Leave all of your winter gear in the States, you will never use it here (unless you're from the northeast and need something to visit home).
2. Earthquakes do happen, but I haven't experienced one yet since I've only been here a little over three months. I hear they haven't been a big deal in recent years.
3. You will save money here.
4. There are job and volunteer opportunities.
5. There is no decent hair salon for women. Seek a stylist out amongst the Gitmo community.
6. It takes 4-6 weeks for your household goods and cars to arrive.
7. Forget about streaming video over the internet.
8. Bring a VCR and tapes (no DVRs here from local cable provider). That's right, you heard me. :)
9. Bring small furniture. Unless you or your spouse is a high ranking officer/GS (GS 12 or above) of some sort, your housing will be on the small side.
10. Appliances are provided. Our high efficiency front loading washer and dryer was a great surprise!
11. There is always something to do here. MWR rocks!
12. The community is very welcoming and supportive. You should be able to make friends fast.
13. The beaches are not surfing friendly. However, the exchange sells surfboards for CHEAP (i.e. 7' board $40), so if you want to put one away for when you go back to the States, then get a board here.
14. The clothes and shoe shopping is mediocre.
15. This is a GREAT place to raise kids, especially if they're not in their teens yet.
16.Dining out is par at best with a few exceptions.
17. There are fast food chains here.
18. We have bowling, boating/sailing, kayaking, and scuba diving.
19. The fishing is awesome!
20. Schools are good, both K-12 and college.
21. Gossip runs rampant at GTMO so never tell what you do not want everyone to know.
22. Sea glass is everywhere!
23. We have a great baby sitter.
24. We get first run movies free everyday including double features on Fridays and Saturdays.
25. Keep reading blogs like this and do as much research on GTMO as you can on the internet before you get here. That's what we did, and we were well prepared.
Overall, it is what you make of it. Embrace it or be miserable. Either way it is up to you.
1. It is at least 80 degrees here year round. Leave all of your winter gear in the States, you will never use it here (unless you're from the northeast and need something to visit home).
2. Earthquakes do happen, but I haven't experienced one yet since I've only been here a little over three months. I hear they haven't been a big deal in recent years.
3. You will save money here.
4. There are job and volunteer opportunities.
5. There is no decent hair salon for women. Seek a stylist out amongst the Gitmo community.
6. It takes 4-6 weeks for your household goods and cars to arrive.
7. Forget about streaming video over the internet.
8. Bring a VCR and tapes (no DVRs here from local cable provider). That's right, you heard me. :)
9. Bring small furniture. Unless you or your spouse is a high ranking officer/GS (GS 12 or above) of some sort, your housing will be on the small side.
10. Appliances are provided. Our high efficiency front loading washer and dryer was a great surprise!
11. There is always something to do here. MWR rocks!
12. The community is very welcoming and supportive. You should be able to make friends fast.
13. The beaches are not surfing friendly. However, the exchange sells surfboards for CHEAP (i.e. 7' board $40), so if you want to put one away for when you go back to the States, then get a board here.
14. The clothes and shoe shopping is mediocre.
15. This is a GREAT place to raise kids, especially if they're not in their teens yet.
16.Dining out is par at best with a few exceptions.
17. There are fast food chains here.
18. We have bowling, boating/sailing, kayaking, and scuba diving.
19. The fishing is awesome!
20. Schools are good, both K-12 and college.
21. Gossip runs rampant at GTMO so never tell what you do not want everyone to know.
22. Sea glass is everywhere!
23. We have a great baby sitter.
24. We get first run movies free everyday including double features on Fridays and Saturdays.
25. Keep reading blogs like this and do as much research on GTMO as you can on the internet before you get here. That's what we did, and we were well prepared.
Overall, it is what you make of it. Embrace it or be miserable. Either way it is up to you.
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
First Impressions
I should have started this blog about a month ago, but how did I know how busy I would be upon arrival in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba?
Most people's views of the base here are based on what they've seen in A Few Good Men and televised news stories about the prison camps. The truth is that the majority of the residential part of the base is very family-friendly, mountainous, and conducive to a laid back lifestyle. We were smart and did extensive research on the daily living conditions in Gitmo before we arrived, and were pleased to find that our expectations were met, and often exceeded. Imagine time traveling back to the early 1990's, and you will have a pretty good idea of how life operates around here--basic cable (no DVR unless you're willing to pay $$$ for it), slow internet, limited to no cell phone use (unless you're employed here on base), no texting, VCR's for sale in the thrift store, paying bills in person instead of online, etc. The weather is always warm during the day, and pleasant in the evenings (low 70's). We have free first run movies available to us daily in the outdoor theater with double features on Fridays and Saturdays, and cheap concessions!
We have the pleasure of sharing this space with active duty men and women from all branches of the US military. We witness how much they are giving to our country and the positive attitudes they display while doing their job. I like being surrounded by certain military rituals (i.e., public broadcast of the National Anthem at 0800 and Colors at 1900 everyday). If you are outdoors during either of these rituals, you are expected to stop your car if you're on the road, or stop walking if you're outdoors, and face the nearest American flag.
When we arrived on January 29, 2011, our "sponsor" (a co-worker of Andrew's) was waiting for us at the check-in gate. He drove us to our house pointing out important places of interest along the way. We were also able to borrow his car until our cars were delivered off the barge (that took approx. 6 weeks!). Our house is a two-story 950 sq. ft townhouse in a cul-de-sac neighborhood. Will has plenty of kids to play with near the house, and it's comforting to know that he can run around outside and play all day like we used to do "back in the day." The following weekend we were invited to a "Hail and Farewell" get-together at the Dock of the Bay (basically a boat dock). From then on, we've been to more social events, including the SeaBee Ball, than we've ever been to while living in Massachusetts the past two years .
The schools here are great and Will is enjoying the experience having only 12 kids in his first grade class. I've started teaching for Columbia College and Andrew is now overseeing construction projects on base. I've started attending fitness classes on a regular basis for the first time in my life, and I'm liking it so far.
After being here for 2 1/2 months, we have no complaints. I will post our adventures and pics to prove them in future posts. Stay tuned, and thanks for reading!
Melissa
Most people's views of the base here are based on what they've seen in A Few Good Men and televised news stories about the prison camps. The truth is that the majority of the residential part of the base is very family-friendly, mountainous, and conducive to a laid back lifestyle. We were smart and did extensive research on the daily living conditions in Gitmo before we arrived, and were pleased to find that our expectations were met, and often exceeded. Imagine time traveling back to the early 1990's, and you will have a pretty good idea of how life operates around here--basic cable (no DVR unless you're willing to pay $$$ for it), slow internet, limited to no cell phone use (unless you're employed here on base), no texting, VCR's for sale in the thrift store, paying bills in person instead of online, etc. The weather is always warm during the day, and pleasant in the evenings (low 70's). We have free first run movies available to us daily in the outdoor theater with double features on Fridays and Saturdays, and cheap concessions!
We have the pleasure of sharing this space with active duty men and women from all branches of the US military. We witness how much they are giving to our country and the positive attitudes they display while doing their job. I like being surrounded by certain military rituals (i.e., public broadcast of the National Anthem at 0800 and Colors at 1900 everyday). If you are outdoors during either of these rituals, you are expected to stop your car if you're on the road, or stop walking if you're outdoors, and face the nearest American flag.
When we arrived on January 29, 2011, our "sponsor" (a co-worker of Andrew's) was waiting for us at the check-in gate. He drove us to our house pointing out important places of interest along the way. We were also able to borrow his car until our cars were delivered off the barge (that took approx. 6 weeks!). Our house is a two-story 950 sq. ft townhouse in a cul-de-sac neighborhood. Will has plenty of kids to play with near the house, and it's comforting to know that he can run around outside and play all day like we used to do "back in the day." The following weekend we were invited to a "Hail and Farewell" get-together at the Dock of the Bay (basically a boat dock). From then on, we've been to more social events, including the SeaBee Ball, than we've ever been to while living in Massachusetts the past two years .
The schools here are great and Will is enjoying the experience having only 12 kids in his first grade class. I've started teaching for Columbia College and Andrew is now overseeing construction projects on base. I've started attending fitness classes on a regular basis for the first time in my life, and I'm liking it so far.
After being here for 2 1/2 months, we have no complaints. I will post our adventures and pics to prove them in future posts. Stay tuned, and thanks for reading!
Melissa
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