By: Bill Pyle   

As of July 1, 2002 I am now a resident of St. Thomas, US Virgin 
Islands !!!

The island is wonderful and beautiful. I truely love it here and the 
island loves me. Even the left hand side driving has come naturally 
to me.

I work for 7 Seas Water. We take sea water (salt water) and make it 
into drinking water for several resorts and the island of St. John. 
Water is very precious and expensive. On average the ost of water is 
$0.05 a gallon compared to water in the states being about $0.002 a 
gallon. So everyone conserves and everyone collects rain water in 
cisterns which are located beneath the houses.

The island is 13 miles long and 3 miles wide. A drive of 5 miles 
takes 15 to 20 minutes due to the steep hills and sharp turns that 
are necessary due to the mountainous terrain. More hilly compared to 
big mountains in the states. The roads are steep to reduce the 
construction of them.. Building here is very difficult and very 
expensive. The island was created from volcanos and hence almost 
solid rock. Requiring blasting to build anything -- even houses.

It is expensive to live here.
I have a 2br, 2 ba condo that overlooks the Carribean (I get to see 
the cruise ships come and go). Rent is $1400 a month!
Water bill about $150
Electric about $150
Gasoline is $1.80 a gallon
Hamburger meat is $6.00 a pound
Chicken is $5.00 a pound
Eggs are $4.00 a dozen
Milk is $7.00 a gallon
American cigarettes are $13.00 a carton
Good booze is about $8.00 a fifth and
the locally made rum (Cruzan) is $5.00 a half gallon.
Wine is more expensive here by about $3.00 a bottle.