I feel like I'm finally adjusted to live on Kwaj. I've been here for a little over two weeks now and sort of have a routine. My work schedule isn't set in stone yet, so once that happens I will be able to really get into a daily routine. Though knowing myself, I will always find a reason to prevent that from happening. Now it is because my work schedule isn't set. Once that is set it will be because my pack out isn't here yet and I don't have things I need. But I want to get in to a routine and have that stability.
The actual island is very interesting. Each section of the island invokes different feelings for me. It's sort of separated out into different zones. Starting on the north part of the island, you have the domes. These 1960's mid century modern looking domes look like if an ant and a tic-tac had a baby and you lived inside of that baby.... I have yet to go inside one, but I have met some folks who live in them. They are apparently quite spacious, with the one my coworker lives in large enough to have three bedrooms and two full bathrooms.
As you move south on the island, you come to a few blocks of residential housing. Housing is reserved for people with specific job titles. There are several different companies working on the island in addition to the military. I don't know if this is 100% accurate, but I was told if you're at the director level or higher in my company, you're entitled to a house. The houses come in two different types. There are the two story homes that look like boxes stacked on top of one another, or the larger ranch style houses. Again, I haven't been in a house yet, but I am fine where I am now because the folks living in the houses don't have access to the dining facility. They have full kitchens so they are expected to cook for themselves. I'm sure after several weeks of the dfac food I will look forward to when a friend with a house invites me over for a home cooked meal, but as of now not having to cook or clean up after is a gift from god.
Separating the housing from the Bachelor Quarters is the child care center and the elementary school. The Teen center where I work and high school are located on the northern side of the island, closer to the domes. You also have Surfway, the only grocery store on the island creating that geographic separation.
I haven't had the need to buy food for myself yet as I have no way to prepare any food in my room, nor do I have any plates, cups or utensils to eat said food with, but I did check out the grocery store just to see what it's like. It is an odd place. Because I have most of the creature comforts of home, it's easy for me to forget that I am 4,500 miles away from the US mainland and that we rely on boats and planes to bring us literally everything we need on the island. Going to Surfway with a friend, I was advised that if I see any food I particularly enjoy, I should hoard it because though we may have it now, we could easily go months without a resupply of that particular item.
The store itself is about half the size of the average CVS in the states. There are shelves that are fully stocked with things I would never eat and shelves that are completely empty, with only the tags taunting you that you were too late to get the things you want. Produce comes in twice weekly so you have to time your visits right to make sure you can get the best items before the fluff (the plus ones who don't work but live on the island) get there and take it all.
The pricing of the food is relatively inexpensive to start, but that may be just because I'm comparing it Washington, D.C. prices. However, when the food gets closer to the expiration date, the have fire sales where they mark it down 75% or more. If you like hamburger helper, you can stock up for $.45 a box.
By far the best part of the grocery store is the free delivery to your home or BQ. Typically you tip them $1 per bag, but it is well with it, especially if you don't have baskets on you bike and/or live on the second or third floor of your BQ. I happen to have no baskets on my borrowed bike and I live on the third floor... I'll gladly spend a few bucks for the convenience.
As you continue moving south on the island, you come to the land of the Bachelor Quarters. This is where anyone who is unaccompanied or not entitled to a house will live. Each BQ has its own flavor. I haven't been in a ton of them, but the layouts of the rooms are slightly different depending on your building. I am fortunate in that I live in a building where the rooms were originally built to accommodate two people. Because of that I have extra lighting and two walk in closets. I have more storage than I know what to do with right now. I'm sure once all of my stuff is shipped here I will change my tune, but either way its fantastic. I have one closet for clothes and one for my dive gear and dry storage.
My room itself isn't particularly grand or special, but it is large. There is an alcove along the back wall that faces the interior courtyard, against which my bed sits. I have a six drawer dresser, small coffee table and chair and a desk that comprise my living area. I need to call the furniture warehouse and see if I can get another dresser. I'm also debating if I want to try to find a couch for my room. A friend who lives down the hall has a sectional in his room that makes it feel incredibly cozy.
The room is probably twenty by twenty, with the two walk in closets separated by a wet bar. I have a mini fridge provided or me, and there is a cubby for a microwave should I want one. Again, not super inclined to purchase one because the more opportunity I have to cook in my room, the more food I'll be eating in my room. Not only would that slow my weight loss but also increases the opportunity for ants to become my roommates.... And they don't wait for an invitation.
The bathroom is a modest one with a small sink and toilet, as well as stand up shower. While there isn't a ton of counter space, the medicine cabinet does allow me to store everything I need. I am hoping to find an over the toilet shelving unit at some point.
I did receive my first amazon order already, which was nice because I had ordered a new shower head. It makes all the difference in the world, one because I know it is a clean shower head and two I can change the water pressure from a trickle to a firehose. And considering how much sunscreen I need to wear here, it's nice to be able to pressure wash my skin to get that off after a day in the pool/ocean.
I am really excited for my pack out to arrive because I have my king bed on its way. I'll have more than enough space for it to fit along with the desired furniture. I also ordered some lighting fixtures for the room. The florescent lighting, while functional, may not be the most flattering. I also plan on making a hanging light feature from drift wood I collected and some remote controlled soft LED lights I have coming in my pack out as well.
Overall I was pleasantly surprised by my living accommodations. I throughly enjoy my room and love my building. My window looks west which means I get to see the sunset every night. I may not have the ocean view like those on the other side of the hall, but I'll take a good sunset silhouetting the coconut palms every night over the occasional sunrise I will be too tired to thoroughly enjoy.
I'll write about the practical places a little bit later, but hopefully this gives a solid idea of the living conditions on the island!
The actual island is very interesting. Each section of the island invokes different feelings for me. It's sort of separated out into different zones. Starting on the north part of the island, you have the domes. These 1960's mid century modern looking domes look like if an ant and a tic-tac had a baby and you lived inside of that baby.... I have yet to go inside one, but I have met some folks who live in them. They are apparently quite spacious, with the one my coworker lives in large enough to have three bedrooms and two full bathrooms.
As you move south on the island, you come to a few blocks of residential housing. Housing is reserved for people with specific job titles. There are several different companies working on the island in addition to the military. I don't know if this is 100% accurate, but I was told if you're at the director level or higher in my company, you're entitled to a house. The houses come in two different types. There are the two story homes that look like boxes stacked on top of one another, or the larger ranch style houses. Again, I haven't been in a house yet, but I am fine where I am now because the folks living in the houses don't have access to the dining facility. They have full kitchens so they are expected to cook for themselves. I'm sure after several weeks of the dfac food I will look forward to when a friend with a house invites me over for a home cooked meal, but as of now not having to cook or clean up after is a gift from god.
Separating the housing from the Bachelor Quarters is the child care center and the elementary school. The Teen center where I work and high school are located on the northern side of the island, closer to the domes. You also have Surfway, the only grocery store on the island creating that geographic separation.
I haven't had the need to buy food for myself yet as I have no way to prepare any food in my room, nor do I have any plates, cups or utensils to eat said food with, but I did check out the grocery store just to see what it's like. It is an odd place. Because I have most of the creature comforts of home, it's easy for me to forget that I am 4,500 miles away from the US mainland and that we rely on boats and planes to bring us literally everything we need on the island. Going to Surfway with a friend, I was advised that if I see any food I particularly enjoy, I should hoard it because though we may have it now, we could easily go months without a resupply of that particular item.
The store itself is about half the size of the average CVS in the states. There are shelves that are fully stocked with things I would never eat and shelves that are completely empty, with only the tags taunting you that you were too late to get the things you want. Produce comes in twice weekly so you have to time your visits right to make sure you can get the best items before the fluff (the plus ones who don't work but live on the island) get there and take it all.
The pricing of the food is relatively inexpensive to start, but that may be just because I'm comparing it Washington, D.C. prices. However, when the food gets closer to the expiration date, the have fire sales where they mark it down 75% or more. If you like hamburger helper, you can stock up for $.45 a box.
By far the best part of the grocery store is the free delivery to your home or BQ. Typically you tip them $1 per bag, but it is well with it, especially if you don't have baskets on you bike and/or live on the second or third floor of your BQ. I happen to have no baskets on my borrowed bike and I live on the third floor... I'll gladly spend a few bucks for the convenience.
As you continue moving south on the island, you come to the land of the Bachelor Quarters. This is where anyone who is unaccompanied or not entitled to a house will live. Each BQ has its own flavor. I haven't been in a ton of them, but the layouts of the rooms are slightly different depending on your building. I am fortunate in that I live in a building where the rooms were originally built to accommodate two people. Because of that I have extra lighting and two walk in closets. I have more storage than I know what to do with right now. I'm sure once all of my stuff is shipped here I will change my tune, but either way its fantastic. I have one closet for clothes and one for my dive gear and dry storage.
My room itself isn't particularly grand or special, but it is large. There is an alcove along the back wall that faces the interior courtyard, against which my bed sits. I have a six drawer dresser, small coffee table and chair and a desk that comprise my living area. I need to call the furniture warehouse and see if I can get another dresser. I'm also debating if I want to try to find a couch for my room. A friend who lives down the hall has a sectional in his room that makes it feel incredibly cozy.
The room is probably twenty by twenty, with the two walk in closets separated by a wet bar. I have a mini fridge provided or me, and there is a cubby for a microwave should I want one. Again, not super inclined to purchase one because the more opportunity I have to cook in my room, the more food I'll be eating in my room. Not only would that slow my weight loss but also increases the opportunity for ants to become my roommates.... And they don't wait for an invitation.
The bathroom is a modest one with a small sink and toilet, as well as stand up shower. While there isn't a ton of counter space, the medicine cabinet does allow me to store everything I need. I am hoping to find an over the toilet shelving unit at some point.
I did receive my first amazon order already, which was nice because I had ordered a new shower head. It makes all the difference in the world, one because I know it is a clean shower head and two I can change the water pressure from a trickle to a firehose. And considering how much sunscreen I need to wear here, it's nice to be able to pressure wash my skin to get that off after a day in the pool/ocean.
I am really excited for my pack out to arrive because I have my king bed on its way. I'll have more than enough space for it to fit along with the desired furniture. I also ordered some lighting fixtures for the room. The florescent lighting, while functional, may not be the most flattering. I also plan on making a hanging light feature from drift wood I collected and some remote controlled soft LED lights I have coming in my pack out as well.
Overall I was pleasantly surprised by my living accommodations. I throughly enjoy my room and love my building. My window looks west which means I get to see the sunset every night. I may not have the ocean view like those on the other side of the hall, but I'll take a good sunset silhouetting the coconut palms every night over the occasional sunrise I will be too tired to thoroughly enjoy.
I'll write about the practical places a little bit later, but hopefully this gives a solid idea of the living conditions on the island!
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