9.11.2009

Kwaj Vending Machines

We have a rare breed of vending machine here on island...the Kwaj vending machine. There are actually a few types here; the empty/rusty machine and the cigarette/food machine.

The empty/rusty ones are the most severely neglected ones that never seem to get refilled. You put your money in to discover that there is nothing available that you want and when you try to get your money back, the coin return lever is so rusted that it won't engage.

Your choices at this point are to either choose something you really don't want and suffer through it or give it away, or leave your money in there, in essence...give it away. You can try to get a refund from the vendor but that's really more trouble than the dollar you put in there is worth. Actually, I guess in some ways, these machines are like reverse ATM's.

The cigarette/food machines really crack me up. They usually contain your typical vending machine fare; cookies, candy bars and gum but then there is also the tuna and crackers, Cup of Noodles and several brands of cigarettes to choose from as well. I'm not sure why I think this is so funny but it makes me chuckle every time I get something out of those machines.

*I'll try to get some pictures to go with this post

5 comments:

Unknown said...

And to think about it... cigarette vending machines are a nearly-extinct species in the good old US of A! About the only place I've seen cigarette machines these days are in bars in Las Vegas.

Schnitzel_Republic said...

I'm only curious here...but tuna and crackers? Do folks stand there....buy a soda, and then buy a can of tuna and some crackers?

This sounds like a nifty place.

Rebecca said...

I'm assuming the people that eat them (and they do) are substituting for lunch. Otherwise, I have no idea, I've never seen anyone with tuna in hand but if I do...I'm asking! :)

Unknown said...

Not sure if they do so now, but there were some vending machines on Kwaj that were stocked with cans of Spam.

Anonymous said...

Ah, good ole' vending machines.. Ive seen some odd things in 'em even here i nthe states!