The Cost of Living in Paradise

 

I live on the Kwajalein atoll, which is part of the Marshall Islands.  When I was first offered a position here, I had to find it on the map. It is characteristic of many islands in the Pacific with white sand beaches, palm trees, and coral reefs beneath the crystal clear waters.  It is also very remote, with little to no tourism.  I have to do without the luxury of a high-end resort, but usually have the beach all to myself. 

So what is it like living here day in and day out? Well, I am never out of sight of the water, I snorkel with manta rays, and follow dolphins in a boat. Every day the sky is blue, and the palm tree sway in the breeze. 

The beauty of this place is unparalleled.  And naturally it isn't available to everyone. The Marshallese allows the US Army to lease some islands, and only those with military clearance can live here.  So I must be in an enviable and privileged position, or am I failing to mention the costs that come with living in paradise?  

The first cost is the need to punch in everyday to a job that is probably not within ones ideal profession. Many of the jobs here are necessary, but not professional.

The job descriptions are vague. You might end up working in the postoffice or HR. But we put in the hours and enjoy our days off. The pay isn't bad, and we save so much.  However, no one is really padding their resume, or getting necessary experience for the next step up the ladder. If you stay here too long, you find it hard to be competitive in the job market back home. 

Another cost is the remoteness of the island, in the middle of the Pacific ocean with only one flight off a week. It would be near impossible to make an emergency flight to visit my mother in London. Even with 3 weeks off for Christmas holiday, I am finding it difficult to find a flight that will take me back to

Minnesota and family. Being here, I miss weddings, graduations and family get togethers. For those with close family in the US, the cost of being here is high.

The final cost I am aware of this time out, is that of money itself. Part of the lure for those who were finding it hard to make ends meet, is that of a good salary, all expenses paid, and great benefits. The position becomes all about the money you can make, save, and perhaps send home. That makes us less likely to spend out for boat rentals, golf memberships and other activities. If I spend all my hard earned cash on enjoying paradise, it becomes an expensive holiday. There is still plenty I can do for free, like snorkel the reef, meet up with friends at the beach, and play tennis.  But if at some point, I find I am paying too much to live in paradise, I will have to leave.  

On the same vein, if I find I am giving up too much being away from family, then it is time to go home. Or if my lack of upward mobility and freedom within my job becomes too stifling.... it may be time to retire.

Long Live Nostalgia

 

The death of the Queen has prompted the awakening of all that she stood for. For some that is painful memories of imperialism, but for me it is the memory of family and good old fashioned fun. My parents are of the same era as Queen Elizabeth II, and although they spent most of their lives abroad, they never stopped identifying as British.  So, as we now look back on the Queen's life, it is like looking back at my own childhood. 

I remember the Christmases with party hats and games, then pausing to watch the Queen's speech on TV. 

I remember the summers in England and Wales. They were usually walking holidays, where we followed footpaths and took little notice of private lands. My father seemed to relish the solitude, away from the busy tourist sites, where we could explore the wildlife and feel free. We always packed a picnic lunch. There seems to be nothing more British than carrying your lunch with you and sitting in the grass to eat pate and sandwich spread.  And of course, there was the thermos of hot tea. 

I remember summer holidays in England where we ate outside everyday.  We picked our own strawberries for dessert and sat under the apple trees.  Then a game of cricket or football would get underway. These were a family affair, with every one joining in. It was simple fun. 

I remember getting up early to watch Charles and Diana's royal wedding on TV.  Then listening to Princess Anne speak at my college graduation.  The Queen's family was so much a part of our lives.  Although members of that family have threatened to muddy the waters, the Queen has remained a constant and clear example of what it means to live a full life without regrets. 

The Queen was from the same time as my grandmother, who never left the house without a coat and hat. As fashion changed, the Queen continued to dress the same.  I must say, I was swept up in the buzz that surrounded Diana, with her modern fashions and media presence. But the Queen outlasted them all. I was struck by the simple fact that no one person was at both her coronation and her memorial service. 

I find her dedication to her position inspiring. Few of us stay any length of time in one place anymore. We move on looking for a better fit, more money, or more recognition. We adapt to the changes that come with the times. We are quick to change our wardrobes as well as our families. We cannot be like the Queen who committed her life to a way of life that she believed to be dignified and humane. 

So with the death of our beloved Queen goes the end of an era. My childhood is now part of history. We are no longer a nation that reaches out across the world to bring about change, while quietly preserving our own home as a memorial for the good old days. Now the world has come to us, it lives, breathes and brings about change within our borders... inside our homes. 

The Queen did her best, but her passing is just another reminder that the world is no longer the same as that of our childhoods.