A quick update since the cellular gods have shined on Vieques in the last 24 hours I have a cell signal, barely. Not enough bandwidth to upload pics or video..which i have a ton of.
Lorrie flew out a week ago and I decided to stay on for a month. To say it's a Spartan living is an understatement. Our first week here we had to take showers out of a bucket, bucket shower, and we're flushing toilets with sea water. The water has been on steady now for about 2 weeks it's still up in the air on whether it's potable or not, although many are are drinking it and not having any problems . I've been making coffee with it. Most of the Islanders say they can live or at least make do without electricity, but it's very very difficult without running water. Gas lines are horrendous. I got at the gas line today at 6 a.m. and I'll probably need to be here at least 4 hours. At 6 a.m. the gas line ended just past the fire station So that line runs on 997 from the fire station all the way to the Mobil gas station as you're going into Isabel crazy long lines. Ice is still sometimes hard to find and the stores seem to run out pretty fast. Some days that I can't get ice. I only run the generator at night. It takes one gallon to run the generator overnight for about 8 hours. I run two fans and charge some Electronics. For lighting in the house I'm running all solar lights and they're great.
There is plenty of food on island and a decent choice of dining options. Being one of the few vacationers, if thats what i am, has allowed me to get to know people, especially restaurant owners, on an intimate level. I just cant save enough good things about Curt and Kelly, the owners of Bananas. They are in the process of renovations on their lodging in back of the restaurant and let me tell you its really nice. I absolutely hated hearing about a Subway opening on island a few years back, but that subway has been a godsend. They are open from 6am to 11pm. They brought in huge generators and run the place like normal. The wifi they have been running was one of the few spots on island to connect to the web.
The gas situation on Vieques is horrible. I spent 2 days waiting in line for over 3 hours only to be turned away. Unless they find a solution its a killer for tourists. Plus its a regular gordian knot near any of the stations. No 5 gallon gas cans to buy on Vieques. I had a friend find me one in Fajardo for $30. I paid her $50. When i got it i felt like a kid at Christmas.
As of now, none of the refuge is open. It has nothing to do with ordnances, but with debris on beaches..i.e. acetleyn tanks, propane tanks, needles and just a bunch if stuff that could hurt someone. I got this from a guy that sweeps for ordinance s and has been on island for a number of years.
I have been able to do a lot of work for different home owners. The reason Im staying on for another month is because Vieques Love ask if i would help to put some temporary roofs on houses for people in real need. Myself and another carpenter are attempting ti make it happen. Its nice to help..we need a lot more of that in this world.
I wish i could upload some of the pictures and video i have. Amazing stuff. I am thoroughly enjoying myself..dispite the Spartan living conditions.
:-)
Lorrie flew out a week ago and I decided to stay on for a month. To say it's a Spartan living is an understatement. Our first week here we had to take showers out of a bucket, bucket shower, and we're flushing toilets with sea water. The water has been on steady now for about 2 weeks it's still up in the air on whether it's potable or not, although many are are drinking it and not having any problems . I've been making coffee with it. Most of the Islanders say they can live or at least make do without electricity, but it's very very difficult without running water. Gas lines are horrendous. I got at the gas line today at 6 a.m. and I'll probably need to be here at least 4 hours. At 6 a.m. the gas line ended just past the fire station So that line runs on 997 from the fire station all the way to the Mobil gas station as you're going into Isabel crazy long lines. Ice is still sometimes hard to find and the stores seem to run out pretty fast. Some days that I can't get ice. I only run the generator at night. It takes one gallon to run the generator overnight for about 8 hours. I run two fans and charge some Electronics. For lighting in the house I'm running all solar lights and they're great.
There is plenty of food on island and a decent choice of dining options. Being one of the few vacationers, if thats what i am, has allowed me to get to know people, especially restaurant owners, on an intimate level. I just cant save enough good things about Curt and Kelly, the owners of Bananas. They are in the process of renovations on their lodging in back of the restaurant and let me tell you its really nice. I absolutely hated hearing about a Subway opening on island a few years back, but that subway has been a godsend. They are open from 6am to 11pm. They brought in huge generators and run the place like normal. The wifi they have been running was one of the few spots on island to connect to the web.
The gas situation on Vieques is horrible. I spent 2 days waiting in line for over 3 hours only to be turned away. Unless they find a solution its a killer for tourists. Plus its a regular gordian knot near any of the stations. No 5 gallon gas cans to buy on Vieques. I had a friend find me one in Fajardo for $30. I paid her $50. When i got it i felt like a kid at Christmas.
As of now, none of the refuge is open. It has nothing to do with ordnances, but with debris on beaches..i.e. acetleyn tanks, propane tanks, needles and just a bunch if stuff that could hurt someone. I got this from a guy that sweeps for ordinance s and has been on island for a number of years.
I have been able to do a lot of work for different home owners. The reason Im staying on for another month is because Vieques Love ask if i would help to put some temporary roofs on houses for people in real need. Myself and another carpenter are attempting ti make it happen. Its nice to help..we need a lot more of that in this world.
I wish i could upload some of the pictures and video i have. Amazing stuff. I am thoroughly enjoying myself..dispite the Spartan living conditions.
:-)
