tips on what to bring to the island

[mattbrett]

Hey everyone,
I know that we are supposed to bring a three month supply or whatever of the things we can't live without, and stuff like toiletries, etc. because they may not be available or will be pretty expensive on saba.

I was just wondering if those of you on the island have any tips on what we absolutely should not be without on saba, and just in general what we should be bringing with us to the dorm.

Thanks a lot,
Matt

[Talvez]

see what you use daily and your lifestyle pattern and everything you notice you use and take for granted, write it down that's what I'm doing.

I'm bringing the whole list that's in the student book plus a few fave things.

[wolfvgang22]

I gathered this stuff from the old Networks54 forum, in case you haven't seen this info yet. I would give props to whoever wrote it, but I don't remember.

"First of all I look forward to meeting you all in a couple weeks. I am a second semester student now and want to give you some last minute advise on things to bring with you to Saba:
money- as much as you can in travelers checks (and some cash)...you cannot have too much there. A phone requires a $500 deposit, for example;
food- whatever you can bring in the way of spices, packages of noodles, Mac and Cheese, etc. Food is real expensive;
comfortable clothes- we wear shorts, t-shirts, and sandals or tennis shoes to everything here;
laptop computer- the school has a lab, but lines often are often real long for internet access. A PC makes it much easier to communicate. Look into Microsoft Netmeeting or www.net2phone.com before you go. You can talk to family via your computer for real cheap this way. Download now so you do not have to spend time online doing it on Saba;
Entertainment- books, DVD, VCR, TV, videos, Sega, whatever you can bring with you. Right now cable is off on the island due to Lenny. The dorms do not have TV, but most houses do for married students (check with your landlord). My wife and I had our VCR shipped to us with our video collection. A deck of cards is good to have for hurricanes;
Flashlights and batteries (again a hurricane item);
Bring plenty of blades for Anatomy- by the end you are desperate for new blades. Preserved human skin dulls a blade really fast.

Don't worry about packing too much food, toiletries, videos, and basically any items that are not perishable. It will save you some cash in the long run. There is a group call the SOS (Significant OtherS) Club which has some bulk buying thing worked out. I haven't done it yet, but I understand it works.

Families with children should be prepared to entertain your kids. Buy some cheap, fun games that don't require batteries. Things like sidewalk chalk, crayons, board games for older kids ... you get the idea. Be creative, but plan to have a good time. One of the biggest benefits of Saba is that you will get to spend a lot of time with your kids. Enjoy it!

Also, buy a "tupperware" plastic-sealable container in which to keep your laptop. This will keep the humidity out. Tons of people have lost their hard drives because of moisture getting inside of the computer. Everyone thought power surges were responsible, but I think it is commonly known now that moisture caused the problem.

Bring lots of LARGE freezer storage bags and the appropriate amount of plastic pillow and matress covers. Use the freezer bags to store things you don't want to mildew. You can also keep clothes you don't wear regularly in trash bags to ward off the mildew. A MUST will be encasing your pillows and mattresses in plastic covers that zip up. You can get these at Target, Walmart, BigK, etc. Very cheap at home, hard to come by on the island. All of these measures are design to reduce the amount of mildew you will encounter. Saba is a tropical island which has an huge amount of rainfall each year which equals mold and mildew.

Water: Plan on drinking bottled or filtered water down here. All water is attained via cisterns and it can get very dirty. The landlords place guppies in the cistern
water to eat the mosquito larva so unless you plan on drinking guppy water, buy a decent water filter. Go to a good camping store like REI to get a good water
filter. I use one that I purchased at Wal-Mart for about $40.

Don’t bring down a dress suit. I did and now know that you do not need one down here. Don’t waste the space and bring some more T-shirts. Don’t bring a lab
coat. You will wear scrubs to class during first semester.

Bring a battery powered alarm clock. The island power goes out sometimes and you could miss your morning classes. After 3 misses you are kicked out of school.
No excuses. The electricity here runs at a higher wavelength so plug-in clocks will add about 2-5 minutes per day. I have both a plug-in and an electric and have no
problems. Regarding power, I recommend you bring a battery back-up for your computer. Who knows what this higher wavelength power is doing to our
electronics. Get an APC battery backup system from Best Buy or Comp USA. The bottom range unit will do fine. They are around $89."

[Talvez]

Guppies in the cistern now I'm really turned off! so it's basically aquarium water !

and could winair be more annoying ,the things that you mentioned alone can weigh up to 50 kg

but thanks that was really helpfull

[aychamo]

That's island life though. They are way laid back. I've been planning a trip there for this summer (I'll be in Saba may 22-25, I'm stopping at the med school on the morning of the 23).

The trip has been sooo slow to plan. When my family plans our trip, we sit down, write it out, and get everything arranged right away. I've been talking to this Saba travel agent going back and forth about the trip for weeks now, I think it's finally settled. Everyone on the island is just REALLY slow and REALLY laid back.

[swinginislanddoc]

Ah yes, WinAir...

Remember you have the option to ship stuff down if you need to via ******* Free. I shipped 7 boxes down my first semester. I probably shouldn't have shipped down so many toiletries and such.

I don't know who wrote that post on what to bring, although I do have an idea... I don't know why he said you are kicked out after three misses, as you're allowed 7 absences, but that's not as important.

I worried a lot about what to bring, and now I'd say don't sweat it too much. Toiletries are available as long as you're not too picky. That will save you some weight. Rain coat, shorts, t-shirts, flip flops - if you're cold-natured some light jackets and pants because the A/C in the classroom will be cranked - it's easier to dress warmly than to have a major class argument over the temp.

If you have any more questions just write!

~SID

[markglt]

Swing:
What about entertainment options? Mini tv, radio, cds....

[swinginislanddoc]

Mark,
The dorms don't have TVs and you'll have to get cable if you want it. CDs, definitely - anything to destress. Bring DVDs - most laptops now have a DVD drive. If you're into art, bring a few supplies - it'll keep you sane. Radio isn't a big deal - not many stations around here. One guy even guy the satellite radio setup and it didn't do much good. Bring blank CDs too, you can burn music from your classmates, and files.

If you have snorkeling gear, bring that with you. If you have hiking boots/shoes, bring those. If you like to run, bring the shoes - you have to do some things for yourself around here.

Hope this helps - if you have any more questions just post them!

[markglt]

Hey, thanks Swing.

[sheraz]

what about sports? Are there footballs and basketballs and what not? Do people down there have time to play every now and then?

[Chemist]

Ahhh....Shauna. Still stuck on the island eh?

In any case. in terms of electronics, i`d recommend you bring it down if you think it`ll keep you sane. Saba is a small island, there`s not much else to do except study. But you can`t study 24/7, you need some down time.

When i first came down for 1st, semester 3 months and some change ago, i only brought my laptop. I had some MP3s on it and a select few of my favorite video games. It was barely enough.

This semester, i`m bringing back the works; a set of speakers (so i don`t have to listen to the tinny sounds the laptop speakers make), a power bar/surge protector (i`ve never had any problems with the power on Saba, but hey! ya never know!), an external hard drive for extra storage (movies, and the lecture powerpoints take up a lot of space), plenty of network cable and a hub (after every black Monday, me and the guys would set up a network and play video games, hours of fun fragging ), i`ve transfered all my MP3s, and i`m bring down all my other music CDs too.

As for the humidity ruining your electronics, i wouldn`t worry too much about it. Nothing will happen as long as you use the device on a regular basis. Don`t throw something in a corner for 2 weeks and then expect it to work afterwards.

Like SID said, you can get cable on the island. You pick up a TV locally. You can also get internet, but its dial up and charged by the minute.

There are tennis courts on the island, so if you play tennis bring your raquet (i forgot mine). People play softball on the island too. I hear tell of cricket being played too, i`m at a loss as to where it occurs.

If you`re gonna live in dorms i wouldn`t worry too much about cooking, with no stove there you`re gonna be eating out alot :D :lol: There`s only a microwave and a small fridge there in each room. So, if you do nothing else, bring an electric hotplate. A few pots, pans, plates, and cutlery couldn`t hurt either. Trust me you`ll thank me later.

If you get yourself an apartment, it`s usually fully furnished but bring stuff like spices. If you`re Indian like me, and can`t live without the stinkiest curries known to humanity, i`d bring some chilli powder or whatnot. (just kidding about my curries being stinky, but they do have a tendancy to corrode metal). If you like coffee bring a coffee maker, or a perculator etc etc.

Ian

[swinginislanddoc]

I WANT CURRY!!! Gimmegimmegimme!!!!

I need a raquet too - I suck at tennis but need the exercise. I didn't bring mine. :? DOH!

[Chemist]

NO! NO SOUP FOR YOU!!.....er, i mean curry.

Ian

[wolfvgang22]

The curry nazi....giddyup!

[swinginislanddoc]

No kidding! HOW RUDE! I'm his dern mentor, lent him my BRSs all first semester, gave him CD-ROMs full of valueable (sp?) info, gave him a piece of chocolate b-day cake, and he denies me curry! The little ingrateful poo-poo head!

That's okay - I know where he's livin' next semester. :twisted: 'Tis a small island indeed...

Beware of a SID done wrong!!!

[Chemist]

WHAT?! how does this work?!?!?! I`m in trouble again??? I`m not even on the island to make you curry. So how am i gonna be able to offer you any? :shock: Should i just send you pictures of steaming bowls of it or what?


http://www.indianfoodsco.com/Recipes/eggplant-cocanut-curry.jpg

In any case i know where i live too.....MYYYYY HOUSE! Just as long as Shauna doesn`t find out the exact location of my house. Nobody tell her that i live by the hospital, next to the old church......i mean D`OH!


Ian

[radboy710]

Hey Shauna,

If you want curry, I believe that Ecolodge has Indonesian night on Tuesday... I sure Baron will have curry dish, but I guess it is always cheaper to get Ian to make it.

Also for sports, they also play basketball during the evening and they also have floor hockey on friday nights (every friday night except for those before black monday) we usually get a good turn out for the games.

R

[ducman]

You guys are making me hungry!!