When I wake up in the mornings on Kwajalein, I always look at what's happening outside. I first notice the puffy white cumulus clouds and thin wispy cirrus in the heavens, then I look at the gray pavement covered with water from a previous downpour of rain. I feel drops of water falling from the palm frawns overhead as I start to ride my new, shiny bike around this tropical paradise. When I go by the ocean, I can see the sun rising above the water and the reflection of the bright light on the waves when I squint my eyes.
In the warm and damp afternoon, I can hear the old rusted bikes make squeaking and screeching noises as they head to “downtown” to spend their money on overpriced items. Downtown has a beautiful variety of flowers and plants surrounding the buildings and walkways. Hundreds of bikes are parked along the street and by the post office where people are in line to pick up large and small boxes from friends and family in the states. The snackbar down the street has the lovely scent of baked cakes and sugary doughnuts. As the cars and carts pass by, I decide to head over to the dock to see what's happening and to look at the lagoon. I notice the Marshallese in front of the dock talking to one another as they wait patiently for their boat to take them home to Ebeye. As I look up, I also see the sailboats floating gracefully on the glimmering dark blue water of the lagoon. Going up the street of the tennis court, I hold my breath to avoid the reek of the big black garbage cans. Passing the brick houses and tin-can-like aluminum trailers, I get to Emon Beach and see little children splashing in the water and running up to their parents on the coral sand. The tiny hermit crabs take their time, savoring every moment as they crawl peacefully around the palmtrees and on to the rugged rocks. After I take a rest on a bench at the beach, I take a deep breath and sigh in disbelief of where I live. I soon hear the sirens go off at 6:00pm, telling workers “All’s clear” and I get on my bike to leave the sedate beach.
At nighttime the moon casts a shadow on the rough ground. The movies playing at the Richardson and Yukwe Yuk Theater are loud and filled with laughter from the people watching. I head home under the orange iridescence of the streetlights and the palmtrees to wait for another day on the magnificent island called Kwajalein.