This is a list I have been compiling in my head of random thoughts gathered and observed while here so far. I will add to it as I know I'm leaving things out and more will come to me....
- Nassau is located on New Providence Island and has about 300,000 people.
- It's close to Florida, but its southern most island is just as close to Haiti and many Haitians are currently flooding into The Bahamas and creating a sort of upheaval for the Bahamian government and educational system. Also, many Cubans use The Bahamas as an intermediary step in coming to America.
- Mountain Dew tastes sweeter and thicker here. I love the syrup they use!
- I always thought The Bahamas to be several islands, but not nearly 700! They aren't all inhabited, but many of them have some sort of life on them or tourism involved.
- Atlantis is the place to go...it's on Paradise Island and is just a short swim from New Providence Island!! (or you can be boring and take the bridge....)
- Bahamians refer to Miami, FL, as "Cubatown."
- Drivers are not quick to move out of the way for emergency vehicles.
- Drivers are happy to honk and allow you to "cut" in front of them, turn, etc.
- There are TONS and TONS of roundabouts -- so half of Greenfield would not like it here.
- Hospitality is incredible here and Bahamians want you to feel welcomed.
- Bob Marley's widow now lives in Nassau and owns and operates the Marley Resort & Spa. It is a plush place and contrary to its website's boasting, Bob IS NOT Bahamian. He was born in St. Ann, Jamaica, Mon!
- Most Bahamians know more and are more heavily involved in The United States' Presidential contest than most Americans! I have seen three O'Bama bumper stickers and I had one cab ride with a 7 minute and 21 second speech from the driver about the Presidential race in America.
- Many Bahamians still operate under a very traditional system of gender roles.
- Cars are both UK and American in style. There are steering wheels on the left and on the right. They do drive on the left side of the road.
- Currency is both Bahamian and American. On the Island it is completely interchangeable. You can pay for a $3.10 item with a USD $10 bill and receive Bahamian coin, a US dollar bill and a Bahamian $5 bill (depending on what's in the drawer)...
- Most things around here close at 6 p.m. - because that is when all the cruise ships have port call for their thousands of passengers. Exceptions to the rules are clubs and casinos.
- Prior to coming, call ahead and see if your insurance company can be pre-arranged at the Doctors Hospital. Otherwise, come with lots of cash or credit (especially if you're proned to E.R. visits).
- The people are VERY courteous and friendly!
- The edge of a street or parking lot is not called a "curb." It's a "small wall."
- They have rats....even in the school!
- Methodists, from talking with a few employees at the school, "Are very nice people and they have a lot of money." (they know of a Methodist here that has driven a Mercedes for 2 years now and if you can do that you have a lot of money)
- Minimum wage is $175/wk. and there is no hourly rate. I didn't get a chance to ask about the details of this...
- There is NO TAX - no income tax and no sales tax...
No comments:
Post a Comment