Staff Village

While working here, I'll be living in the the Staff Village, which is on the hospital grounds. As I mentioned earlier, Darwin is full of "transients" like myself who come to RDH for a brief stint to rotate & study at the hospital. Many of them end up living in the Staff Village. It's pretty "bare-bones" dorm room style accommodations.

I have a one-room flat comprised of a twin sized cot, which a surprisingly comfortable mattress & pillow, a closet, built-in desk & bookshelves, a small table, three mismatched chairs with one very threadbare armchair. There's also a small kitchen area with a two-range stove, small oven, small fridge, & an assortment of utensils, dishes, pots, & pans. Luckily, I also have my own private bathroom with a stand-up shower & small washing machine (no dryer--there's a clothing line set up outside my front door). The bed has hospital issued linens on it & they've provided me with hospital issued towels.

I will admit that I was in slight shock when I first walked through the front door, which only reflects how "soft" I've become over the years. Compared to the dorms at Beaufort, the Staff Village is luxurious. I've settled in nicely now & am quite comfortable. Plus, the "village people" are quite a social bunch since they are all from somewhere else & looking to make friends. Also, the hospital is a stone-throw from my front door--about a three minute walk from my stoop to the hospital lobby. Plus, there's a nice swimming pool & squash & tennis courts on the grounds & a medical library with Internet access.