Thursday, July 17, 2014

GTMO: The Tale of One Woman's Travel Through Time

Not only did I travel some serious miles to make it to Guantanamo Bay (California > Texas > Bryn Mawr > Boston > Jacksonville > GTMO) but soon after I'd arrive, I realized that I had seemingly traveled through time, too. Destination? The good ol' 1980s. I know, I know, how can I, a girl who wasn't even born in that decade, claim that GTMO is like stepping into the 80s? Well, I think I've got some pretty solid evidence:

Hitchhiking: Who does THAT anymore? Oh wait, GTMO residents do. Sure, we all grew up listening to the familiar "Stranger Danger" refrain, but an even more common thought here? "It's GTMO, what could happen?" The first time a man stepped in front of my (moving!) van and asked for a ride, I was so put off that I sputtered some excuse about being late to my exercise class and kept moving. Of course, as I recounted this seemingly strange incident to my new friends, they all laughed and assured me that people asking for rides was completely normal. After all, what could happen?

GTMO Beaters: Thanks to popular media, Cuba's vast collection of old, beater cars might be one of the more well-known quirks of the island. While some people are lucky enough to bring their cars from the States with them when they move, others have to purchase their vehicles here if they want to get around easily. The constant come and go of the military community means that there are trails of cars that have been passed down between residents over time, and they've got the mystery stains and lack of A/C to prove it. And these beater cars? Most remain unlocked at all times. (Who would want to steal that thing, anyways?) Recently I saw a truck, affectionately coined "The Flamethrower" for sale. It was a screaming deal at only $500, but it also looked like it had been used for target practice at some point.



The Internet (or lack thereof): I was warned before arriving in GTMO that I'd have to get used to being "unplugged". The WiFi here is only available indoors (or close by outside), in select buildings. While I do have WiFi  in my townhouse, it isn't strong enough to support things like YouTube videos, Netflix (currently suffering through OITNB withdrawals) or Skype. If I want to do any of those "strong connection activities" I have to go to where the internet is better. Where might that be? Strangely, outside the ice cream shop (CCC) is where I've found the strongest connection. While I can't say I don't miss being able to stream video or video chat with friends, I've learned that the lack of internet means more time to actually TALK to other people, or read a book that been on your to-read list or play a board game. And I think this unpluggedness has a positive impact on family life here as well..

Family Togetherness: Without the ease of the internet to distract us all from each other, GTMO families seem to do activities together more often than families back in the States. It is almost reminiscent of a quaint small town when you see whole families together at the pool, working out in the gym, or supporting a younger sibling at a baseball game. And when they're not all together, many parents let their children run around and explore on their own. Most of the base is walkable, and of course, very safe. It's not uncommon to see gaggles of kids playing together under the bleachers while their parents watch a movie. In GTMO, the safety that a cul-de-sac back in the States might offer extends to pretty much the whole island. And with at least 10 jungle gyms and play areas scattered throughout (there's even one at the chapel!), I'd say this is a pretty good place to be a kid.

Now that you've got a pretty good impression of what GTMO is all about and how it is to live here, I'll give some updates next time about the work I've been doing for MWR and Child and Youth Programs!

Thanks for reading!

Hayley

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