Cruising Sailors Forum Archive

Lack of infrastructure?

Things we take for granted (like fresh water and phone service) seem to be such erratic things in the Bahamas. Too bad - nice islands, nice people.
I've spent some good time on the S end of Eluthera, at W End and Freeport, Grand Bahama, and on Andros. Sailors complain about the lack of channel markers in the Bahamas - somewhere in my files I've got a good one of a red nun, washed up on the beach at Andros. Yep, there it is. You want good ice in your drink? Better order it before 3 pm, after that it's likely to be salty. Girls, shower and wash your hair in the morning. Making a phone call? Get a pen and paper and write a letter while you're dealing with the operators - could just be quicker.
Need a ride? I remember a taxi (?) trip on Eluthera, a Cadillac Coupe DeVille - fabric covering on the roof was flapping in the breeze. I was riding shotgun looking down through the fender at the right front. Sliding back and forth on the dashboard (as we dodged chickens) was a box of Echlin brake parts. Warm cozy feeling? Naaah...
Perhaps we expect too much. The Bahamian life style is different and strange to us. That doesn't make it a bad thing.

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