Hello fellow boarders!! You folks have set up an awesome forum here and everyone sounds like real friendly Cats! My Name's Jordan and I am a former Army Vet who decided in 2006 (while spending 9 months on a beach (well, kind of like a beach except the beach bars had been replaced by exploding trucks) that I wanted to become a dive Instructor. Well now I AM and ive found a great job on Bonaire. Assuming I'm accepted for the position, I;d like to get a general idea of "life" on the islands. Ive Lived in London, Portugal, Honduras, Afghanistan and the US Virgin islands and as such am used to re-locating, but every place (even the islands) are so different!! Are folks normally welcoming to newbies? Im 26, male, and can party with the best of them, but my primary focus will be safely taking people underwater, as such, What is the social life scene (mostly bars or can you get involved in the community, working with kids, finding a rugby team, participating in other sports? Will I struggle to find accommodation upon arrival? My normal MO is to tun up blind and try and find a family with spare apartment or under-house living where I can assist around the house and provide activity time for the kids in exchange for decent rental rates. Will my inability to speak dutch be a killer? I speak basic spanish and teaching level English, and I'd be willing to learn on island. Are things as laid back there are they are in the other Islands (BVIs, USVIs, Bahamas) where I have lived and worked before? Do most people dress smart casual or is there a large backpacking crowd on the island? Also does anyone know if their is a Masonic Lodge on island? Are their "nice" rentals on Bonaire for "fair" prices? I was forced to spend $850 on St John USVI for a horrid 1 bedroom apartment while in Honduras I spent close to $600 for a 2bd cottage on the water. Will it be a struggle for me to find a decent 4 wheel drive vehicle for 5k US?? And finally, should I do it? From the research Ive done the Island looks amazing, but you never truly know until you talk to the locals (i.e) YOU FOLKS!! Sorry for how long this turned out to be and please dont try and answer everything at once. Anyone's tips, tads, nuggets, suggestions and criticisms are wholey welcome. Thanks and I hope to here from you (my maybe soon to be buddys) in Bonaire!! Jordan King
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