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Island Living - Water Island
What is it like to live on an island? Is it harder than living on the mainland? What do residents do for shopping? How do the houses get water and power? Does the island have internet and cable TV? How do people get to the island? How are medical emergencies handled? What do people do for entertainment on an island? Why do people live on an island?
Everyone that either visits or wants to visit a small island asks the same questions. Those of us that do live on an island have found the answers to these questions.
Water Island is located offshore from the harbor of Charlotte Amalie, St Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands. One travel agent has called Water Island "an emotional world away from the hustle and bustle of St Thomas".
There are less than 100 full time citizens on Water Island year-round. The number "balloons" to about 200 during the Winter season, from around December to May. One "STOP" sign is the total number on the island. Which is OK because nobody is ever in a rush to get anywhere. There are no shopping malls, no 4 lane highways. All roads are about 10 feet wide. That is probably the main reason that the bulk of transportation on the island is by golf cart. They use less gas and can maneuver the narrow roads pretty good. On this 500 acre island life is pretty slowed down compared to the mainland. You can tell that all the residents look out for one another.
Expect to do your own upkeep of your home. Expect to fix anything and everything if it breaks. You tend to become quite the handyman when you live on a small island. You develop special "McGyver" skills. If you are still stuck one of the neighbors usually has the skills and tools needed to help.
Getting to St Thomas is no problem at all. The Water Island Ferry, owned by a Water Islander, runs from Crown Bay Marina on St Thomas about every hour from 6:35 am until 6:00 pm Monday thru Saturday and night ferries run generally on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday nights. You can make arrangements for a special ferry or a water taxi. Most residents own a dinghy or boat to commute to Crown Bay Marina on St Thomas.
All shopping is done on St Thomas. You will have to rent a car or go by taxi to stock up. Most homes have freezers so that residents can stock up when they make a shopping run. There are several grocery stores (Pueblo, Cost U Less, Price Smart, Plaza Extra) for food shopping. Home Depot is a full service store as is Kmart. You then bring your items back to Water Island on the ferry or private boat. You can also take you car or truck to St Thomas on the car barge (owned by a Water Islander), do your shopping and then come back on the barge.
For medical emergencies, the Water Island Search and Rescue is there to help. With two ambulances, the all volunteer staff can stabilize injuries and evacuate patients to St Thomas where another ambulance will be waiting to take you to the hospital. While the volunteers are not EMT's, they are well trained and have helped numerous residents and tourists.
Most small islands have some type of utilities. Here on Water Island electricity and telephone service is supplied by a cable that runs under water from St. Thomas. Water on a small island is valuable. Local folks are happy when it rains. All rain is collected into a cistern usually located under the house. It is usually made of concrete. Water from the roof drains into it and is then treated to filtration prior to drinking so it is safe. Television and internet is available through the use of a satellite dish or cable.
Many residents work on St Thomas. They commute by ferry or private boat and keep a regular work schedule. Water Island is a diverse community of people with many skills. We have doctors, lawyers, office managers, general managers, craftsmen, shop keepers, waitresses, and other professions.
We all like to have fun, even if you live on a tiny island. On Water Island we have a Monday Night at The Drive-In every Monday night from November thru May. Every other week there is a BINGO night! During the day you can grab lunch on the beach at Heidi's Honeymoon Grill, voted to have the best cheeseburgers in the Caribbean. Or, you can have a tropical drink from "Joe's Beach bar", a small rustic cantina right on the beach. There are a number of regular cocktail parties that everyone enjoys.
The final important question is why do people live on an island? We enjoy the peace and quiet, the breathtaking views of the Caribbean Sea, good friends, being independent, protecting nature and taking the opportunity to slow down and enjoy the blessed life we live here on Water Island.
About the Author To find out more about island living visit Chuck Gidley's site. To see more about life on Water Island the Water Island Civic Association website is a great resource.
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