Ascension : Farewell Letter From the Sukhtankers
Submitted by The Islander (Raxa Sukhtanker) 25.01.2007 (Article Archived on 08.02.2007)

Farewell Friends - It is difficult to express in words how emotional we feel to go away from this beautiful island, that has been our home, and the wonderful people who have become our extended family, after nearly 25years.

Farewell Friends

It is difficult to express in words how emotional we feel to go away from this beautiful island, that has been our home, and the wonderful people who have become our extended family, after nearly 25years.

It has been a privilege to be part of our Ascension family, past and present. Our lives have been enriched to have been surrounded by honest, gentle folk, blessed with humanity and generosity of spirit, a sense of humour and wisdom to help balance the days of sunshine and rain.

We hope we have contributed towards improving the island medical services for the community and visitors.  We have had the privilege of working with a highly professional team at the Hospital, Dental Clinic and the US Base Clinic.

I have always had efficient, quick and unstinting support from the ALL the Support Agencies: Police, Marine and Works Departments, Fire and Rescue.  My sincere gratitude for the support given so willingly whenever requested.

We would like to thank Mr Michael Hill for hosting a wonderful evening with friends at the Residency and the beautifully crafted gifts.  Our thanks also to Donald Johnson and Russell Yon for a lovely gathering at the Saints Club, where to lively music we were presented with memorable gifts.

Our heartfelt thanks to the many island folk, for the wonderful cards, gifts and expressions of affection. We shall also cherish a most wonderful album from the children and teachers at Two Boats School. Thank you.

We leave you with a heavy heart but knowing you will be in the capable hands of Drs Alex and Milenko and the Hospital Team.

We will certainly keep up with the news and welfare of the community here and leave you with our very best wishes for your health and happiness.

Till we meet again……..

Shub and Raxa

From Priya and Anjali : Goodbye Everybody

We came to Ascension when Anjali was 15months and Priya 3. We were very little and our parents were young, Mum now has a parting (in her hairstyle) and Dad’s has departed!

Anyway, we’d like to say that we are happy that we grew up on Ascension. We sang nursery rhymes at playschool, played hopscotch and swung on the monkey bars at ‘big school’. Learned to ride our bikes, swim, snorkel, play badminton, canoe, talk to stranger without fear and danced at weddings. Little did we know then, that we were experiencing a rare and long childhood, a privilege denied many of our friends in England.

We went to England for school to discover that our life skills needed further development! We learned about homesickness and saying goodbye far too often and how to be ‘traintracked’ (mouth braces), greasy haired, badly dressed and awkward teenagers with lousy postures. But always so happy to come home to Ascension and do all the things we used to do, (and not kiss any boys and never drink under age!!) Always pleased to watch the 80’s movies (in the 90’s!) on the big white wall at the Base and listen to country music, Gina G and Ricky Martin at the VC.  Oh it was fabulous!

We both also learned to drive on Ascension. The island has a lot to answer for in terms of our driving habits. Why can’t we parallel park? It’s not because we’re female.  To be fair we have wonderful hill starts.

We’ll always remember walking around safely, swinging in the park at Two Boats, turtle watching, walks on the beach, Green Mountain and every other known and unknown  path, thanks to our keen parents. We will remember going down the Pier late at night and looking at the stars and talking rubbish with friends and swinging on the ropes at the bottom of the steps. Looking for sharks and chatting to people fishing off the Pier.  No one else we know grew up listening to waves crashing at midnight with full moon on white sand, or black skies sprinkled with a million stars.

We have been very happy on Ascension. Thanks for the memories, see y’all later.

Priya and Anjali