I am here in Dominica,, got here with RemROM... [Archive]

HEC

04-30-2003, 04:12 PM

You will get used to the weather after awhile. I am sure you were told to run to the bank first thing, to beat the line. Unfortunately, you can't go to Cable & Wireless until you get an apartment. Have you gotten your books? I would suggest waiting until after you start classes, or visited the Island Thrift. You can get good used books and microscopes there. WHAT EVER YOU DO WAIT TIL LAST BEFORE YOU BUY FROM THE BOOK STORE. They do not try to rip you off, they do have to jack the prices to off set the high taxes. Hope things go well for you all.

Best to you.............. :-airplanep

microphage

04-30-2003, 08:02 PM

Shocked? Impressed? Having fun? Depressed? Homesick? :D

Let us know when you have some time. Thanks in advance. Good luck in school.

VanessaWI

04-30-2003, 08:12 PM

Hey guys-thanks for taking the time to stop in and say hi to us.
Run into any problems getting stuff set up?
See you soon,
Vanessa
(one more final exam to go... :shock: )

Infiri

04-30-2003, 08:16 PM

I was impressed.... right now I am having a little fun. using the internet and playing pool at the SGA Lounge. Already open my account, will see if tomorrow can get a phone.. at least a cellphone.
I got my books from Island Thrift.
Well I got, in my opinion, a great apartment.. really close is like hmmm 3 min. to 5 min. walk to school. Is really nice, is 500 a month, with hot water throughout, one bed room pretty big, compare with another student from 2 semester, and has a kitchen. I really dont know how to explain the apartment.
Well see you all here..
Carlos

califstudent

04-30-2003, 11:20 PM

What part of town in the apartment in? Is it the Lizard Trail area? In what direction from campus is it located.

Doesn't seem to be a bad deal for $500.

preppystud

04-30-2003, 11:53 PM

Also my nextdoor neighbor that got here yesterday and got the apartment today is Bevo.. heheheh...
Well see you all when you get here..
Carlos

hey, what do you mean by that, I don't understand this particular part "got the apartment today is Bevo?"

I am getting emotional now. I felt as a part of me has also left the USA, and arrived at Dominica. Just a few days ago, you guys were talking in the states. Now I can just image you took off from the ground, looked through the window to see your airport for the last minute, and now you are starting a brand new life in an unknown island.

It is great that you can finally meet someone who actually talked to you in this forum.

Infiri

05-01-2003, 12:27 PM

I really dont have any problem. exept that I really dont have right now the deposit for the telephone and that is about it...
Well the apartment is not in the lizard nor banana trial.
My apartment is right on the main road in front of the school to the right.. I dont have to take any trial just walk the main road that has lights all the way...
Actually I really dont think is bad for 500 dollars especially I am with my girlfriend and we split 250, so is even less.

I mean that he came 2 days ago and yesterday he saw the apartment in the tour and paid for it. So he got the apartment in the same building.
do you gett it....
today I just had lunch with remROM..

Goodbye
Carlos

remROM

05-01-2003, 12:28 PM

things are settling in smoothly for me.
Having a sparsley populated campus is a bonus this way.
I'm a suburb raised boy with sedentary hobbies so hiking around under the hot sun leaves me feeling faint. But I know I will get used to it soon.

Mosquitos are another problem. Every morning I wake up covered in new welts. I met Dean Wagner this morning and he said that by third semester, students get lets reactive to mosquito bites and so does not get the welts as bad.

One dissapointment is that the major reason why I came 2 weeks early was to get a great apartment with everything just a minute or two from campus. It seems though that I arrived too early and many of the 4th semester students have not moved out yet. But I got a mostly nice one in Picard about 15min walk away.

Infiri is a cool guy.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

"The greatest adventure will start off today" - The Hobbit Animation

bevo

05-01-2003, 12:50 PM

Hi,

I got some pictures of the place on my usb pen drive, but the computers here in the lab dont have accessible usb ports for me to plug it in.

Yeah, I met Infiri yesterday afternoonand remrom like 10 mins ago in the lab next to Infiri.

The island is beutiful when you land, the PBH is a dump, its really hot and humid. Im already sunburned on my neck from all the walking I did yesterday. I dont sunburn easily either.

The apartment is nice, it really is a 5 min walk from campus. I was told on my housing tour that all the apartments on the lizard trail were already taken by upper classmen. The banana trail has some nice apartments, but I worried what it would be like to climb down and up that path in the rain and in the dark.

The banana trail had the cheap apartments as well.

I think the nicest place I was Silver Lining Apartments, but its a walk.

Other than that, I still need to go into town to get setup with DSL. Someone else I came in with yesterday said they went and tried to get DSL but they were told by cable and wireless they did not offer it. Only dialup.

But someone else I met in hte line at the bank said you have to "play" with them. So we'll see.

Thats it for now.

-bevo

Infiri

05-01-2003, 12:51 PM

preppystud

05-01-2003, 01:51 PM

And remROM is a great guy....
But I really dont have to say, all of you will know soon enough.
Also we are all here in the Computer room remROM is right next to me and Bevo is a few computers down to my right... Also a really nice guy...

See you all here..
Carlos

hey, this is so funny. you guys are repeating the same thing, he is a nice guy, no, he is a nice guy. I felt as if I am watching a Oprah or Dr. phil. hahaha.

Also why are you still calling each other by user names? Are you gonna call me preppy stud when you see me in person. That would be really nice to hear. hehehe.

And for remRom, if you want those nice apartments, why didn't you just live in that hotel for a week or two, so you can wait till those 4th semester students moving out? And what does your name stand for?

Infiri

05-01-2003, 02:03 PM

Well, we are actually calling by our real name, even though sometimes I have to think of the username to relate the name.
But I really don't have permission, to give any name, so I won't. and I respect others people privacy. Also since sometimes topics over the forums gets really hot, some words may fly around is better not say any names, when you get here you will know..
Bye
Carlos

remROM

05-01-2003, 02:19 PM

As a rule, I don't use my real name or any other identifying or trackable information on the internet. It's given out on a need to know basis. Besides, I don't mind being called by my internet nicknames. Same as a regular street nickname. They are short, memorable, unique and reflects something about the person's interests.

rem (lower case) rapid eye movement.
ROM (uppercase) Read Only Memory.

The reason why I decided not to wait for a better apartment is because the one I got has mostly everything and I did not want to get too greedy. Besides the 15min walk is good for me. At least it's not up hill then up hill then finaly uphill again, like in some of the other apartments.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

"Underneath the mango tree, my honey and me come watch for the moon"

preppystud

05-01-2003, 02:35 PM

hey, walking is really a good exercise. I always try to not to use the elevators, and walk as often as I can. And that is the only exericse that I do now. My blood pressure is lower than 120/80. And my heart beat is only 66 the last time I checked at a supermarket with the automatic machine. :)

by the way, how hot is the weather over there? is it like a typical hot humid summer day?

The reason why I decided not to wait for a better apartment is because the one I got has mostly everything and I did not want to get too greedy. Besides the 15min walk is good for me. At least it's not up hill then up hill then finaly uphill again, like in some of the other apartments.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

"Underneath the mango tree, my honey and me come watch for the moon"

bevo

05-01-2003, 03:02 PM

also, becaue I forget names easily. So I know someone from their online name and Ive read it a few times I'll remember that with their face instead of their real name which Ive heard once.

Its pretty hot and humid, but these are supposed to be the hottest months of the year.

DSL is a waiting line. I dont know how long it'll take to get it.

as for losing weight, I feel like Ive already lost a good 7-10 lbs. I haven't eaten much since Ive come. And Im sweating by the time I get anywhere.

Im already worried about my clothes not fitting me anymore, including my belt.

happydoc

05-01-2003, 03:10 PM

Hey guys-
Thanks for giving us your first impressions and what's working out and what's not. I won't be there until September but it's good to know the latest.

A couple of questions:

Are there plenty of apts. with 110v and hot water throughout?

What are the apartments like? 2 bedroom/2 bathroom, etc?
They sound pretty reasonable...$500 is not bad, compared to Orange County, CA!!

remROM: Mosquitos are IN the apartment? How do you sleep? Should we bring that candle stuff to repel pests/mosquito net? I am really anti-bug so I'm freaking out a little bit. :shock: Please advise.

Thanks! :)

bevo

05-01-2003, 03:17 PM

really didn't find all that many apartments with 110v electricity. The nicest was Silver Lining because it was spacious, had central air, had white boards in the rooms, etc. Basically had everything. But they only had a double left and I couldn't find anyone on my housing tour who was interested in living there with me.
The cavet to the place was it was a decent walk.

For mosquitos, I bought this appliance at the James store that is supposed to either repel/kill mosquitos. It has chinese writing on the box. You have to buy some things to put in it. It did a decent job last night.

happydoc

05-01-2003, 04:11 PM

Thanks, bevo!

At least, I know there is hope with the mosquito situation.

Is it better to invest in 220v electronics...like hairdryer, toaster, etc. and ship them or are those things available there?

Do you get your financial aid soon ? Is $2000 cash enough to take care of the "settling in" stuff?

Did you guys forget anything that you wish you would have brought with you from the states?

just curious..... :wink:

Texan

05-01-2003, 05:05 PM

Sup ppl,
I actually came here with Bevo, on the same plane. I ended up getting an apartment really close to campus. Initially it takes a little getting used, but once you settle down it is not so bad. Actually i am kinda bored right now, nothing much to do once you set up. Make sure you bring clean sheets and pillow cases, those a must.

remROM

05-01-2003, 05:14 PM

I've heard that those coils help. I'll go try one tonight.

It's unnerving to be half alseep then have that high pitched buzzing come right up to my ear like a smartbomb. My arm spasms up to try to kill it but I always miss. Last night I turned the AC down below comfortable then wrapped myself head to toe with the bed sheet like a mummy. It seemed to help.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Shortest Horry Story:
"The last human on earth. There's a knock at the door."
- rec.humor

preppystud

05-01-2003, 06:44 PM

Make sure you bring clean sheets and pillow cases, those a must.

so the landlords don't provide those? can't you buy those generic types at those stores? I suppose they have pillows for you at the apartment?

did you bring a blanket or they are provided by the landlords?

do they have those mesh mosquito net?

TinkerBell

05-02-2003, 07:10 AM

Hi, its me Tink. I'll get there Monday 5/5 @140pm. I really want to be within a 5min walk from campus. Any suggestions? I need to find a house, bringing my rather large dog with me. I know its not easy, but I was told that certain landlords tend to be agreeable in regards to money. Hope so, but anyways- any info would help. And most important!! How was the sm flight to the island?? I'm terrified of heights and sm planes!! Be honest, but not too honest!

Infiri

05-02-2003, 09:41 AM

the flight can be ugly if you are dont like flying.. you will be going between the montains. :-)
Well my landlord provided only one pillow, and we are 2,
we havent found one yet not even in Portmouth, tomorrow we are going to Roseau I will get one there. Bevo, and remROM are coming to roseau together
Carlos

MitchDC

05-02-2003, 09:50 AM

Well, here is the REALLY honest part. On Monday, you probably won't be able to find a place 5 minutes (walking distance) from school with a fenced yard, not to mention a house. You are just getting here too late (there will be tons of people here by they). Most people with larger pets live at least 15 minuts from campus.

MitchDC

Hi, its me Tink. I'll get there Monday 5/5 @140pm. I really want to be within a 5min walk from campus. Any suggestions? I need to find a house, bringing my rather large dog with me. I know its not easy, but I was told that certain landlords tend to be agreeable in regards to money. Hope so, but anyways- any info would help. And most important!! How was the sm flight to the island?? I'm terrified of heights and sm planes!! Be honest, but not too honest!

MitchDC

05-02-2003, 09:52 AM

Carlos, make sure you look upstairs inside James Store. Every time I have gone there, they have had pillows. If you still can't find one, go to Astaphans in Roseau (the Dominican Wal-Mart).

Good luck!

MitchDC

the flight can be ugly if you are dont like flying.. you will be going between the montains. :-)
Well my landlord provided only one pillow, and we are 2,
we havent found one yet not even in Portmouth, tomorrow we are going to Roseau I will get one there. Bevo, and remROM are coming to roseau together
Carlos

Infiri

05-02-2003, 09:59 AM

Hi, MitchDC
Yes I went, and they just sold all of them.... She told me that someone got a lot of them.
:-(
but dont worry tomorrow will be the day
Carlos

remROM

05-02-2003, 10:09 AM

............

Ross

05-02-2003, 10:12 AM

Another place to find decent pillows in both Portsmouth and in Roseau is Court's, the Caribbean furniture store chain.

preppystud

05-02-2003, 09:41 PM

so is it so hot that you don't need blankets during sleep time?

Ross

05-04-2003, 11:40 AM

Day time temperatures are running in the mid 80s. I brought a blanket to Dominica 8 years ago but when I hadn't used it aftr 6, I took it back to the US. Some people may use them a few nights a year in the Portsmouth area but unless you leave the A/C turned on high, you won't need them very often. Usually a sheet is sufficient.

oc23

05-06-2003, 04:18 PM

I got here on Thursday, 5/1 in the afternoon. The flight to Dominica made me a little nervous. I don't know if it was really supposed to be like that or if our pilot just missed the runway. We passed the runway and made a U-turn above the sea--very close to the water. Then it was sort of rocky over the hills. But aside from that, getting here wasn't as bad as I thought it would. I didn't have any problems with my luggage or with customs. ...PBH sucks! I stepped on a worm on the way to the bathroom, and my door was all messed up. Thank goodness it was just for one night.

I'm sharing an apartment with atth, along the main road, just a 5-min walk to campus. We already met a lot of students, almost all of them new. I haven't been bitten by mosquitoes yet (thank goodness!), but I am thinking of getting a mosquito net, just in case. Our apartment has an A/C, but during the day, the breeze is so nice that we just open all the doors and windows and we're fine. We've been turning the A/C on at night because we close all doors and windows.

Dominica is a nice place. It's hot and humid, but the nice breeze makes up for it. The locals are very nice, and so are the students and staff.

remROM

05-06-2003, 04:45 PM

Yes, with the runway pointing out to see, I thought we'd just turn out there then come in for final. But instead we banked inland before the airport, then hugged the mountains like an A-10 Warthog jinking from stinger missiles until we landed on the runway facing seeward.

The only think I could think of was that since wind usually comes in from the sea, the pilot wanted to land into the wind.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

"Wow! That was the shortest runway I've ever landed on!" - Pilot
"Yeah, but look how WIDE it is !" - coPilot