![]() You can't just run to the big city for things you need or want - it's a long flight and rather expensive! A large number of web sites paint Kwajalein in a utopian light. Kwajalein is very much like a small US town, with one extremely important difference. Homebodies and mall rats might find the adjustment quite difficult to take or might not be able to adjust at all. If you're into outdoor and athletic activities, especially where water is involved, Kwajalein has something to offer. Some find it a paradise, while others begin counting the days to departure almost as soon as their feet hit the ground. Of course, living here means different things to different people. This is the most difficult question to answer. This information was current as of November, 2004. The answers to the following questions come from my personal experiences and feelings after six years on Kwajalein. The result could be six Ebeyes instead of one.Kwajalein Control Facility - Kwajalein Atoll, Republic of the Marshall Islands The highway, they say, will be the magnet that attracts thousands of Pacific islanders to Kwajalein Atoll. Some critics believe this solution may prove to be an even bigger problem, though. Construction of a highway to connect Ebeye with these 5 islands is scheduled to begin soon. Meanwhile, a new electric power plant and desalinization facility have gone into service.Īnd in an effort to reduce overcrowding, new housing is being built on Gugeegue, the fifth island north of Ebeye. Projects such as sewage systems and garbage disposal have been given top priority. government and the Marshallese national government to improve the lives of Ebeye residents since his election in 1983. The local government has worked with the U.S. now, it's like being in prison."ĭespite the bleakness of the present, some changes for the better are slowly taking place. We raised chickens and pigs, had coconuts, breadfruit, collected snails, caught fish. "My home on an outer island was beautiful and not crowded. Many Marshallese are overweight and have health problems associated with obesity such as high blood pressure, heart trouble and diabetes. Living on the Ebeye means eating canned goods and junk food like potato chips and candy bars. This transition culture is proving disastrous for their physical and mental well-being. The cultural traditions that give meaning to their lives are constantly under assault by the pressures of urban living and the frustrations of a money economy. Owners must make their own repairs or find a neighbor who is mechanically inclined.Īll of these diversions, however, don't reduce the negative impact that the years of "temporary relocation" have had on the people of Ebeye. There is only one gas pump and no service stations on Ebeye. Kwajalein atoll military base drivers#Driving in circles with the air conditioner on and listening to the tape deck can be pleasant but expensive so drivers often hire their vehicles out as taxis. The most noticeable oddity in Ebeye is the endless parade of vehicles on the rutted street. If it's for sale, they'll buy it - air conditioners, Nikon cameras, CD players, even an Amiga computer with all the extras. The Marshallese on Ebeye are big spenders. Walking past the shacks, one can hear the sound of tape players, video games and American soap operas on television. Of these, most remain in the shadows of buildings to avoid the bright sun. Sores on the body and face are common.ĭespite the packed conditions, very few people are visible. There is no privacy.įrom the crumbling pier, island children swim in water polluted by human waste. Many of the structures are flimsy shacks holding up to 40 persons. Only about 68 of its 78 acres are used for housing. The island is less than a mile long and about 200 yards wide. It's not oppressive like some slums, but the mixture of musty, unpainted wood and food being cooked over charcoal fires is distinct, blown across the lagoon by easterly tradewinds. As the ferry boat approaches Ebeye from the lagoon side, you notice the smell first. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |