Finally Here!

[wolfvgang22]

Well, I'm finally on the island of Saba! The first few days are tough, getting used to the island, the weird way people talk, where things are, and local expectations and customs. But us first semester students have been helping each other out, and a few very generous and gracious second semester students like Nate and his roomate J*** (I didn't ask his permission to post his name yet) have been really helpful with rides, and advice.
One thing I will tell everyone though, if you live outside of the bottom, where the school is, you must make arrangements to get a car as soon as you can. Also, cars under $2,500 are usually junk, so test drive before you buy.
Orientation is in a couple of days, and I hope to keep you guys posted. Feel free to ask any questions and I'll try to answer, but due to my (now) busy schedule I'll only be on once a day for a little while.
Good luck to all, and to all a good night!

[Chemist]

Ok, who wants to open up the betting pools on how long it is until he changes his tune and wants to get off the island as quick as possible? :lol:

Oh wait, i think thats me and i`m projecting my opinion :twisted:

Well, seriously, I hope everything goes well for you. Your first few days on the island can be an experience. Not just the island, the people too.

Best of luck to you!

Ian

[ducman]

Wolf is on the island -> we're definitely going to h*** in a handbasket now!

See you soon bro!

[swinginislanddoc]

I'm with ducman on this one! ;-)

Just kidding wolf - glad you're finally there and on the road to tortu...I mean, an MD! hehehe

Keep us posted! And find Classic - she's running around there somewhere...literally. haha
Best of luck!
~S 8)

PS - Stay away from Chemist - he's the indian guy in the silver japanese sports car running into solid objects and knocking parts off. :wink:

[WestTexasRN]

Good to hear you are doing fine. Keep us posted.

[Chemist]

Well, maybe i overstated my case there.

I haven`t actually knocked off any parts from my car, i just scratched off some paint.

However, i do drive extremely fast.

When i come back this semester, my goal is to break 100kph on that straightaway outside of St. John`s. well, two goals, i gotta get my CD player installed in the car. So if you see, a silver car streak past playing very loud music you know who it is.

Maybe i`ll try to pass my courses too; 4th is gonna suck :shock: :(

Ian

[camkiss]

I drove a white 4 door subaru when I was on the island, and was able to hit 80kph on that straight away for about 0.5 secs before I had to hit the brakes. Only place on the island where you can hit that speed except for the other straight away on the way to Wells Bay.
Just have to look at the truck hanging on the edge of the cliff to decide not to try that too often (is that still there)?
Mike

[edoki]

Wolf, Thank God that you are in Saba now. We rely so much on you for information before my Sept classes. I am sure Siddman will be there soonest.

Wolf, I will like you to inform us about the new buiding. Do you think the Sept class will be there and how did you get your own room.

Do not be stressed out. We shall all succeed.

Shalom!

Edoki

[Chemist]

Well actually, i managed to hit 93kph one day; I was in a rush to go and write my Micro and Neuro Shelves.

I haven`t seen any Subaru`s hanging off a cliff, although it may be a silver Prelude soon enough.

Ian

[edoki]

Take care, life has no duplicate.

Edoki.

[k_tanaka]

Wish you the best wolf!!!

[k_tanaka]

Also, late-comers miss out on the ceremonial "Loo Race".
http://img83.echo.cx/img83/2813/loorace19mv.jpg

keep us also posted on what the ceremonial "Loo Race" is like on Saba :D

[swinginislanddoc]

Cam,
Where was this truck? They must have moved it because I don't recall seeing any trucks dangling off any cliffs - that sounds like something you wouldn't forget seeing in a 20 month stint. haha

[ResearchingGuy]

Dear Wolf,

Welllllcommmmme to Fahntasee Aye-Lannnd. :twisted:


Now go down to Pop's and have a Lobster Roll.



Best of Luck!

[wolfvgang22]

Wolf, Thank God that you are in Saba now. We rely so much on you for information before my Sept classes. I am sure Siddman will be there soonest.

Wolf, I will like you to inform us about the new buiding. Do you think the Sept class will be there and how did you get your own room.

Do not be stressed out. We shall all succeed.

Shalom!

Edoki
There are students staying in the new Hillside dorm as we speak. The airconditioning isn't working, and it's a hell of a hike up the hill to the new dorm, so I recommend Matthews dorm if you are given a choice of dorms, as it has cold AC and isn't too bad of a walk (relatively speaking to everywhere else!!)
I hitched a ride from one of the workers on the dorm the other day and he said that his forman wants to finish up the dorms this next week, but I'll believe it when I see it. They have made a lot of progress since Nate posted pictures. I believe the students over there are living on the first floor as they work on the upper floors. It may be noisy as they start working at sun-up.

Finally, everyone be encouraged. I have been here three days and have been like a deer frozen in the headlights as I get adjusted to island life, and have been homesick, but it is doable if you keep a positive attitude and help each other out as new students. That is the thing I like best about Saba, is that students give each other a helping hand. Be kind to each other, work hard, be cheerful, and things work out at the end of the day.

Also, as a note of advice: Get a tri-band chippie phone from UTS in the Bottom, and program everybodies number into it when you meet them.
Chippie phones work great in windward side and the bottom, but not in Hells gate. I will get a landline at my house in Hells Gate.
Communications is of the essence down here, as everything is like word of mouth, as there is no real mass media like in N. America.

Treat the locals kindly. I'm not saying take a lot of crap off of anybody, but pick your battles wisely. Honey catches more flies than vinegar, if you know what I mean.

Any body know of a car for sale? Hitchhiking on this island from Lower Hells gate is well...hell. I have to get a vehicle with four seats, and preferably a top for the occassional rain.

Also, my Netters and BRS anatomy didn't make it to the island, if anybody has one for sale let me know ASAP.

Oh, one more note...don't buy a car off of valuemd without seeing it. Somebody did and regretted it already.

Many thanks to all you second semesters who have been of immeasurable help, as well as my 1st semester cohorts, I owe you guys bigtime! Buy you a Heiniken any time! 8)

[wolfvgang22]

Typical Saba island car:
http://img190.echo.cx/img190/7227/jeep7wx.jpg
Peace, out - W

[Chemist]

HEY!!!!!!


HOW DID YOU GET A PICTURE OF MY CAR?!?!?!?

:lol: :lol:

Ian

[studentMD]

Hey wolf..
if u get bored and have a digital cam.. take pics and put em up here..
i havent seen saba in a while and im sure others will be curious to see new pics..

[edoki]

Wolf,
Tthanks a great deal for your advice and latest infor about the Island. I am grateful. I need more pics and gist as events unfold.

Shalom!

Edoki

[dreamdoc]

Hey Wolf! Where r u? We are here too in lower hells gate at the hassel's house. We have been here since Thursday night. So far so good. The island has beautiful views. Ive been to just about all the Carribean islands and Ive found that the locals are very nice! LOTS OF GOATS!! Lots of Ants!! The heels are steep so make sure if you get a car you get a stick shift...and make sure you know how to drive it well, cuz this is not the place to learn! The jogging is awesome awesome awesome. Today I ran the up the hill to check out willards gym and honestly thought about diving head first off the pool deck when I got up there. The gym was extremely small so I think Ill stick to Windwardside gym.

On the roadway coming from the bottom some truck passed me going about 65 miles per hour! I could not believe it, it was insane! The driving is an experience here.

I also checked out windwardside gym and although the equiptment is old, they have everything you will need. The two grocery stores I went to were nice and had alot of things, but nothing like the states and I found it to be a little expensive. Ive driven through the entire island and still cant find Neimans!! Val you said there was one here!!!!!!!!!!!!! j/k I also found that the difference in the temperature from hells gate to the bottom was extreme(much hotter in the bottom). I think its gonna be a fun 20 months. Im not disappointed at all, except for the lack of shopping, but that can be done on the net or when you go home on break. Feel free to ask any questions and Ill always try to help answer them CLEANPRESS is here on the island too. I picked him up last night. Still looking for the beer fairy and wondering if there really is one!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[hopeful786]

Hi,

I wanted to know if I plan on sharing a room with someone. What sort of things should we share, which will help us save money. Thanks.

[camkiss]

The truck that went off the cliff was a GEBE (electric company) truck. It was between St Johns and Windwardside and was stuck in some trees. It was visible only driving toward WWside from ST Johns. Ask some locals about it...they will surely know if it was finally pulled off the cliff.
Mike

[charlieMD]

Hey Wolf....I have a netter you can borrow 'till you get one. I mentioned this to you the other night chez swinging doors. I will give it to you on mon or tues-whenever I see you at school. Just thought i'd remind you in case you thought i might have forgotten ( the beer fairy was there and in fine form).

Also dreamdoc- join the gym at school. it is cheaper and the equipment is new. much better deal.

tschuss,
charlie

[dreamdoc]

thanks charlie, ill definitely check out the school gym, that would be much more convenient. maybe ill see ya at swingin doors tonight. the beer fairy called and said everyone would be there about 9p.

[swinginislanddoc]

Hey Cam,
Well I haven't seen any trucks driving from St. john's to WW, BUT they did build a new cement hiking trail from the road just at the bottom where Hassel Free is and the big rock on the side of the road on that stretch between SJ and WW. I traversed it several times in my last weeks on Saba and on the hill above the trail were the remains of a vehicle. However it was very demolished and the plants were starting to take ti over. I don't know if it was a GEBE vehicle or not. Maybe that's what you're talking about. There's acouple of other things on that trail as well. Plus just beyond the trailhead toward WW there's a boat off the road in the brush - I think that landed there in the last hurricane.

It's an experience for sure.

Someone was looking for pics - I have a lot but not sure exactly how to share them - there are so many

[Conway]

Try using Webshots! www.webshots.com

They have a pretty simple photo album interface

I think Yahoo Photos is pretty easy-to-use, too.

Hope everything is going well for everyone. I know I haven't been around - I've been busy with schoolwork, and will send Saba the Organic Chem grades they want as soon as I finish the class in August!

Ciao for now...

[wolfvgang22]

Hey Wolf....I have a <a target=new href=http://www.Amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1929007213/valuetheplace-20>Netter</a> you can borrow 'till you get one. I mentioned this to you the other night chez swinging doors. I will give it to you on mon or tues-whenever I see you at school. Just thought i'd remind you in case you thought i might have forgotten ( the beer fairy was there and in fine form).

Also dreamdoc- join the gym at school. it is cheaper and the equipment is new. much better deal.

tschuss,
charlie
Thanks charlie, I remember now! I'll see you mon. or tues.

Had a great time at the swinging doors the other night, as well as last night. Apologies to Nate and the crew for leaving early! Had to take care of my friend who became ill...

I will take some pics as soon as I can and post them here, I promise. It might be a week, though, as my #1 priority is surviving and gettting a vehicle right now that will run well. Once I have wheels I'll be free and not have to rely on the awesome 2nd semesters, they have really set the standard around here for kindness.

The gym at the school is by no means comprehensive, but has really good AC and some decent weights, stair climbers, nautilus type machines, etc. There is no water that I saw up in the Gym, so bring your own water bottle for sure. It is $50 a month extra, for some reason it is not included in the tuition, I think it is to pay for the machines they got as they are fairly new. :roll:

But anyway, I hear that the Hillside dorm isn't having AC problems anymore now, and much progress has been made on that new dorm.

On Island Time Man,
-W

[swinginislanddoc]

Hey Wolf, get some pics of the new dorm. The last I saw of them they looked like Nate's pics.

I can't believe I've only been gone 2 weeks. hahaha weird. And I'm not coming back. Even more weird!


Wolf - sorry about the car woes. Have you checked the boards at the school? Oh wait, they clean those off. Just find Classic and make her drive you around. *snicker* She has my old car now. :)

[wolfvgang22]

Hey Wolf, get some pics of the new dorm. The last I saw of them they looked like Nate's pics.

I can't believe I've only been gone 2 weeks. hahaha weird. And I'm not coming back. Even more weird!


Wolf - sorry about the car woes. Have you checked the boards at the school? Oh wait, they clean those off. Just find Classic and make her drive you around. *snicker* She has my old car now. :)
Yeah, I'm checking around and there just isn't much available, it seems, so I'm relying on word of mouth. Funds aren't a big problem, it's availability. Somebody hook me up with a good deal and I'll give you a commission!! And I don't want to screw around for a month or so waiting if I don't have to. :lol:
I'll get you some pics as soon as I can,
Peace -W

[dreamdoc]

wolf: call me. i know someone that is selling a car in good condition, think you may be interested.

[Spm97]

Hillside dorms? What the heck is going on down there? Will us old-timers have to sit around and bitch about how commercial good old Saba is becoming?

Researching guy, did you write that exam yet? I take mine in just over 7 hours. Needless to say, I can't sleep a wink!

SID, hope your studying goes better than mine :)

As for the rest of these "newbies", all I can say is that a bad day stateside is way better than a good day on "The Rock." ;)

Good luck to all!!!

Steve-O

[Siddman]

Yeah, I'm checking around and there just isn't much available, it seems, so I'm relying on word of mouth. Funds aren't a big problem, it's availability. Somebody hook me up with a good deal and I'll give you a commission!! And I don't want to screw around for a month or so waiting if I don't have to. :lol:
I'll get you some pics as soon as I can,
Peace -W

True...not much to do here.....nice place though.....and yah do put some pics out.....



Siddman

[k_tanaka]

Typical Saba island car:
http://img190.echo.cx/img190/7227/jeep7wx.jpg
Peace, out - Wade

Wolf... looks like an import car from Afghanistan or Iraq! that's better than walking tho under the hot sun! 8)

[sheikh1]

This car looks like the so called technique cars, that are loaded with powerfull guns, the somalis used when they were fighting agaist the Americans, in 1993. By the way I am travelling tomorrow to Nevis.

[swinginislanddoc]

Poor Steve-o is lost! :P


Remember the construction on the hill beside the government cistern Steve? Voila - hillside dorms.

[stephew]

enjoy!

[bigguy]

Hey,
Wolf, have you considered a motorcycle or scooter? They're pretty cheap to bring in from St. Martin (I think shipping is $75). I was really surprised when I visited Saba that there weren't more scooters, since they're all over the place in St. Martin, St. Barths, and every other island I've visited down there.

Do you think a motorcycle is impractical on Saba (maybe the hurricane season?). I really wanted to get a motorcycle to ride on Saba, but I'm reluctant now because there don't seem to be any. It makes me believe there must be a reason.

Bigguy

[Nate-MD]

Well even normal driving is sort of a death wish here on Saba, and having a scooter makes you even more insane. Oh well- they are really fun to ride here, but you have to be really defensive when you drive due to all the blind corners and whatnot. Wear armor..... even if you sweat your butt off.

[wolfvgang22]

Nate is a daring guy....he is a good driver from what I have seen, too, and he knows about the scooters.

I think I'm sticking to a car myself, so when I hit a wall or a goat I won't die in the primary impact, just the secondary one. (plus a scooter only seats one person) :D

[bigguy]

Wolf,
Apparently you haven't been to Asia. In Asia, a scooter seats a family of 5. Father front with 2 small children on knees, mother behind with infant strapped to her back. I couldn't believe how many times I saw it.

Yeah, a scooter probably wouldn't work for me anyway; at 244 lbs. I'd probably be pushing the thing up most of the hills anyway.

I'm glad you got a car; what's the price range for something reasonable that will get you to and from school for 20 months....hopefully with brakes that work?

Bigguy

[ResearchingGuy]

Scooters just don't seem to have the uuumph to pull the hills. I would gladly have ridden a motorcycle if my wife had let me. You just have to be ready to leap off the side of the mountain at a moment's notice.

Best of Luck!

[wolfvgang22]

The "standard" rate on Saba for a car that runs and might pass inspection is $2,500. However, people will try to sell cars for as much as they can get, of course. Watch out is all I can say. Before you buy a car take it to the police station, they'll check it out for you for free.
I paid $4,000 for a car I have confidence in.

My friends here had to tie me down and kick me repeatedly in the crotch to make sure I didn't buy a total piece of crap when I first got here, I was so desperate for wheels with my family on the way down here. I owe them big time!

First semester students unfortunately get here after the majority of the 5th semester students have sold their rides and left the island, so it takes more patience and shopping than it should to get a little island car.
I am very glad I waited around a week or so.

The first thing you want to do when you get to Saba is get a cell phone from UTS (a phone company here) called a "chippie" phone, so you can call your friends or a taxi for rides, if you aren't in the dorms (very important on this steep mountain!). This way, you can call around on the various flyers you see stuck up on bulliten boards at the school and at the stores. There is no newspaper or thrifty nickle that I have seen on Saba, or at least it wasn't easily accessible to me. (St. Martin does have a thrifty nickle classifieds paper, I think.)

Cell phones:
Chippie phones run $75 for a tri-band phone that can work in the USA as well later on if you keep it. You can buy a dual-band cell phone on island for $50 that won't work in the US but works fine on Saba.
People buy pre-paid phone cards and pay 37 cents a minute to call locally, and 43 cents a minute to call internationally. All incoming calls, even international ones, are free on the chippie phones; it only costs the person calling you whatever their phone card charges them.
The chippie phones work good from Windward side all the way to the bottom, but have spotty reception in Hells Gate and the airport. The ICS business store here sells TDMA phones here for $125 that are supposed to get better reception.

The guy that owns Matthew Dorms sells his rental cars and those are some of the better island vehicles, though a little pricier than others.
It is good to buy from students, but always have the car checked out. Some locals seem to charge higher prices...and that's all I will say about that subject...

On a more positive note, the professors here have been very good so far, but we are covering a TON of material. I gotta go study, bye bye. 8)

[ResearchingGuy]

I agree with Wolf about cars. Don't buy one sight unseen and don't jump on the first thing you can get.

BTW Wolf. Whose car did you buy?

Best of Luck!

[wolfvgang22]

I bought one of the rental cars from the guy that owns the dorm, he was cool to me and fixed up the car nice (new brakes, tires, etc.) and gave me a full tank of gas, too.

As far as buying a car sight unseen....I saw that one person did so and really regretted it.

Hey, researchingguy, now that I'm down here send me a PM so I can introduce myselve to you, if I haven't already and you are on island! :D

[edoki]

Wolf, I can see that you are heavily loaded.

Have fun with your car.

Edoki.

[medstudent007]

Hi, I am starting up in Sept 05, I just singed up for the new dorm, due to the fact it offers DSL or should I stick with Matthews dorm? Also would it be smart to buy a triband phone from ebay before heading over to the island?

thanks

[edoki]

You have to find out from the students on ground. I think they can give you better information.

Edoki

[Siddman]

Hi, I am starting up in Sept 05, I just singed up for the new dorm, due to the fact it offers DSL or should I stick with Matthews dorm? Also would it be smart to buy a triband phone from ebay before heading over to the island?

thanks

You did the wise thing in booking the new dorm ...they are much better .....a bit expensive but worth the money.....and as per phones....do not get any phones .....you can buy off here for 50 bucks for a place five minutes away from the University....


Hope This Helps,


Siddman

[medstudent007]

thanks siddman

[wolfvgang22]

Wolf, I can see that you are heavily loaded.

Have fun with your car.

Edoki.
Nope...just this thing called "credit" :lol:

[Preeti]

I will be joining the Sept. 05 class
I was wondering if it would be better to get a phone (to call locally and back to the United States) at SABA? I will be calling family and friends in the U.S. alot--so I need a phone that would be cheap but have good reception. Also, does anyone know what phone to get in the United States so that my family can call me in SABA?

Thanks

[swinginislanddoc]

Preeti,

First of all I thought you were the same Preeti that just graduated basic sciences with me - needless to say I was a bit confused by your last post.

Second, check out www.callingcards.com. There are some other sites similar to it as well. Chances are you will have a cell phone, so look up called to a Netherlands-Antilles cell phone. It's around $0.18/min. So far that's the cheapest rate I've found.

If anyone knows of any cheaper rates let me know - I still have friends back on Saba. :D

~S 8)

[Preeti]

Thank you for your reply.

Where do you get the cell phone---at SABA or the US (before leaving to go to SABA)? Also, someone told me that you can get broadband or something like that where you can pay $24 monthly and talk to however many people you want and as long as you want. Is this a possibility?

Also, if my family wants to get in touch with me from the US--it would cost them 18cents/minute? Thats STEEP!


Thanks again

[wolfvgang22]

you can bring your own cell phone to saba and it will work if it is a tri-band GSM phone that has a sim card that the UTS cell phone store here in the bottom can take out and replace with a new sim card for the cell network down here. sprint phones seem to work well for some people i know.
the easiest thing to do is just buy a phone when you get here. you can get a cell phone from 50 dollars and up either from the phone company or from the chippie cell phone store, and you can buy prepaid calling cards that work on the cell phone that I mentioned before. also, you can get a call back number for calling the US from ICS in windwardside that is like 23 cents a minute. The cheapest thing to do is use speedypin.com or callingcard.com like shauna said and have your loved ones in the states or canada call you for 18 cents a minute. most regular long distance plans (like regular ATT&T calling cards) will charge like a dollar a minute or more from the states otherwise.

[edoki]

Wolf,
Thanks for that advice. But can I come with my AT and T Cingular and be receving calls without calling States? Can I use it with a card to call home any time?

Thanks!
Edoki

[wolfvgang22]

Yes and yes as long as it has a replaceble sim card in it you won't have any problem.