First Impressions of Yap, Micronesia
Portions of a letter to Bratislava:
. . . I am safe in Yap and living in our house. There is still some work to do on it, like some cleaning and fixing of things, but it is a nice house. The shipment of things should come in early October. It was a very long trip! I was travelling 28 hours with very heavy bags, and was very tired.
I have our champagne glasses (flutes) here, and two bicycles here that are assembled and ready to ride. The one for you is actually a boy's bike, but it is better than the one you rode in Norman. Dad put new tires on it the day before I left. He also paid a lot to ship everything. Continental was very expensive and not helpful -- I nearly missed the flight.
The first night here was very hot and the air conditioning was not working, so I got to stay in a hotel room. I am still jet-lagged a bit. They are easing me into work very slowly, so today has just been getting the internet connected, applying for health insurance, getting a Yap ID number, etc. I will look at the Aetna insurance notification, but I don't think it matters any more -- I will see if it would apply anywhere we will be. We will have the Pacific Island coverage like everyone else.
I don't know if it's "paradise," but it is very warm. I forgot how tired that we were getting running around in Mauritius. It is like that here. I was simply building bikes, unpacking and cleaning a little yesterday, and I was exhausted. It is also very green, with tropical plants everywhere. There are lagoons here in Colonia, the capital town, but I have not found a place that has crashing waves or any beach. We have coconuts and mangos in the yard.
So I am thinking of you and trying to make the house look nice for your arrival. Could you check your reservation again at the travel agency -- and renew it if necessary? Also check the days just before or after, and see if the price goes up or down a lot. Genevieve is ready to help complete the arrangements, and we can hopefully just purchase your tickets from here.
Good luck with all the arrangements on the flat. I know it is difficult, and I know you will make the right decision. I think it is such a nice place that you can get 25,000 SS (or something above 20,000 SKK) per month, and that will be important for you to make money on your investment while we are away. You can do whatever is necessary with my clothes to make room for renters.
I have your tennis racket and some new balls to play, and I understand there is a nice set of courts here somewhere. I will find out more about the beaches.
Once my shipment gets here, the house will be fully furnished. I will be making a list of things you should bring, but it won't be much of a list. So far, you should bring tea, spices, wine, a water boiler for tea/soup and there is very little else we would need.
. . . I am safe in Yap and living in our house. There is still some work to do on it, like some cleaning and fixing of things, but it is a nice house. The shipment of things should come in early October. It was a very long trip! I was travelling 28 hours with very heavy bags, and was very tired.
I have our champagne glasses (flutes) here, and two bicycles here that are assembled and ready to ride. The one for you is actually a boy's bike, but it is better than the one you rode in Norman. Dad put new tires on it the day before I left. He also paid a lot to ship everything. Continental was very expensive and not helpful -- I nearly missed the flight.
The first night here was very hot and the air conditioning was not working, so I got to stay in a hotel room. I am still jet-lagged a bit. They are easing me into work very slowly, so today has just been getting the internet connected, applying for health insurance, getting a Yap ID number, etc. I will look at the Aetna insurance notification, but I don't think it matters any more -- I will see if it would apply anywhere we will be. We will have the Pacific Island coverage like everyone else.
I don't know if it's "paradise," but it is very warm. I forgot how tired that we were getting running around in Mauritius. It is like that here. I was simply building bikes, unpacking and cleaning a little yesterday, and I was exhausted. It is also very green, with tropical plants everywhere. There are lagoons here in Colonia, the capital town, but I have not found a place that has crashing waves or any beach. We have coconuts and mangos in the yard.
So I am thinking of you and trying to make the house look nice for your arrival. Could you check your reservation again at the travel agency -- and renew it if necessary? Also check the days just before or after, and see if the price goes up or down a lot. Genevieve is ready to help complete the arrangements, and we can hopefully just purchase your tickets from here.
Good luck with all the arrangements on the flat. I know it is difficult, and I know you will make the right decision. I think it is such a nice place that you can get 25,000 SS (or something above 20,000 SKK) per month, and that will be important for you to make money on your investment while we are away. You can do whatever is necessary with my clothes to make room for renters.
I have your tennis racket and some new balls to play, and I understand there is a nice set of courts here somewhere. I will find out more about the beaches.
Once my shipment gets here, the house will be fully furnished. I will be making a list of things you should bring, but it won't be much of a list. So far, you should bring tea, spices, wine, a water boiler for tea/soup and there is very little else we would need.