Thread: No electricity

Just got a taste of Dominica in New York.

Electricity went off yesterday at around 3pm and not on yet in many parts of the city..

Preparing for the trip in a week.

Hot, humid, no electricity or airconditioning.

Had a good cold beer at 3.30 with antipasta yesterday.

Giving away free melting ice cream today at the stores.

No hot water, no elevators, no broadway shows.

Can it be worse then this in Dominica

I have been taking perverse pleasure in the power outage in the northeast. After reading all the postings about Dominica's power outages, I thought it was funny to see a major part of the US and Canada in darkness with traffic jams and no water in highrises. I was hoping that someone would write the posting that you did! Given the options, I will take the multiple but short power outages here anyday.

And now to all who have been plunged into darkness and are suffering, you really do have my sympathy! We know what it is like!

I thought it was hilarious watching that on tv. I couldn't sympathize with the power outage since it is a common occurance here, and I thought it was funny the big deal made about it in the states..I was shocked that there was even a presidential address about it. I guess I forgot how we just take power for granted back home...you will never take it for granted after living here for a year as I have!

I can imagine them having a presidential (of prime minister) address this country every time the power went out...it would be quite difficult..it would be a full time job! Plus they would have to arrange it with the cable company that the cable also had to be functional that day!

All joking aside (knocking on wood as I speak) the power has not been that bad lately. It was much worse my first semester as I had to take a cold shower many many times..with the only light coming from my laptop computer! Really hated when the screen saver came on and everything went dark.

No, I would say that it wasn't really too funny to see the power go out back home the way it did. You cant really compare the consequences of a power outage here and back home only because, as in the words of bush, "we are an energy-dependent society." in dominica, there are no elevators, traffic lights, subways...nothing like that at all. most of the buildings around here are no taller than 3 stories (james store area). there are NO elevators here. when the power goes out here, there is no potential for people to be stuck in the elevator, or to be stuck in the subways in darkness. on top of that, over 50 milliion people were affected. the pop. of dom is 70,000.

I'm still 90% sold on Ross and Dominica even with the countless power outagage stories all over this forum. I really hope I get accepted to the school.

HOWEVER I am not looking forward to cold showers and studying by candle or laptop light...

Whats the story on solar power there? With the "sunshine all year round" claim of the Caribbean seems like solar would be an investment the school should consider. Or maybe they have? Maybe something is in the works already???

Power went on last night in Manhattan.

All the comforts of home for New york people again.

Immuno, the school has their own generators that come on seconds after a power outage -- sometimes the power gap is hardly even noticeable. So they don't really have to worry about solar panels or other options.

Some of the apartments do use solar panels to heat water, but I haven't seen any to create electricty. Its not really necessary since the power has only gone out in the evenings here twice this semester (more in previous semesters). Studying with a lantern in your apartment isn't bad, but its nice to have AC (that's really the uncomfortable part). But when the power goes out many students either take a study break or head down to campus.

MitchDC

How long was the power out for during your stay at Dominica. An hour at a time? Where do you get the lanterns? Aren't there cool breezws at night considering the proximity to the ocean? I guess if you really get hot you can go for a swim?
Do any apartments have pools and if so do they put in the proper chemicals?

I think we should be grateful to the Domican power company a little.
(dont start throwing melted ice cream at me yet)

From what I hear, being on the northern side of the island is better than the locals who live on the southern side. They get power outages sometimes nightly. Perhaps this is done at their expense to ensure more power on average for their very important guests here at Ross.

I would say get a lantern from back home. It took me a semester to realize this so take that advice.
Sure a lantern is heavy in your luggage but considering the options here (nice lanterns but they run on those darn big $quare batteries), I'd say go to a good Walmart/Costco and pick up a
wall-plug-in-rechargable-emergency lantern. Remember its going to be 110 V so don't fry it without the use of a transformer!

-Incog.

yes, it can happen in the states! by the way, the cold shower comment? doesnt happen in dominica. they have glass storage tanks for the showers on the roofs. solar powered hot water. just dont be the last oen to shower!!!!