The Bahamas
Samantha Roberts

ENG.111. O45B. SP 08

                Last February my family and I went on a 5 day Cruise, to the ports of Key West and to the Country of the Bahamas. It was the most fascinating trip I have ever taken. As I was about to find out the Bahamas and Virginia were two different places. When I stepped off the boat for Nassau, Bahamas, I was in a new world. A world of entertainment and excitement. I stepped into quite possibly the worlds largest Welcoming Party. My family and I were greeted by island natives that wanted to either pamper or feed us. Every cruise-line member was in awe of this impoverish country and its ability to act as though nothing was wrong. Everyone seemed so full of life, much like their surroundings.

The Islands of the Bahamas were full of vibrant colors. The buildings were bright, the people were happy, the flowers were fragrant and colorful, and the water was crystal clear. In the Bahamas the colors are so new and wild. Bright pinks, lime greens, neon yellows, striking blues, and vivid purples consume their land. Its like a never-ending party. Music is constantly playing in the background and you just can’t help but dance. Calypso bands are at every corner and if you ask they’ll let you play too. The tropical atmosphere was so different from Virginia. Back home we have all four seasons but  they just don’t match the Bahamas. The springs here are never that pretty and the only season that we do get visions of full of color is in Autumn, with its muted earthy tones such as brown, red, and deep orange, but that isn‘t enough to satisfy me anymore. I guess I’ve been spoiled. Even the concerts here don’t interest me anymore. Experiencing the Bahamian culture and music has made me appreciate a softer kind of music. I’ve unknowingly turned my back to the alternative rock that I used to love.  I now yearn to listen to anything with steel-drums in the background and the vibe of relaxation.

                The food there is exquisite offering mostly seafood like crab, crawfish, and the island favorite, conch. Pretty much every meal consist of conch; a mollusk much like an oyster. There are many ways to eat conch. You can stew it, boil it, fry it, make it into fritters or a salad. They prepare their dishes with a meat, usually some type of fish or seafood, vegetables, and a good heaping of a starch. Like macaroni and cheese. Bahamian cuisine is healthy, natural, and fresh. In Virginia most real seafood restaurants, and I’m not talking about Red Lobster, are overly priced and don’t offer a lot. They don’t take the time to garnish your entrée with fresh fruit or jellies that might accent your dish. Normally they pop food into the microwave just to get you in and out.  Food here seems bland and is usually over-processed, so we’re not getting the essential nutrients that we need. Fast-food is becoming a wide-spread problem and if it doesn’t stop our parents will outlive us.

The paradise islands of the Bahamas only got better once you hit the private beaches where the white sand and clear water happily greet you. The waves curl into the shore in unison while the palm trees seem to bend in the perfect position. They shade just enough of your face to block the strong sun from entering your eyes. The breeze brings in exotic smells from the neighboring plants and foliage. It’s a peaceful floral garden. Green water is what you find back home. Our waves are heavy and our trees are mostly large oaks and pines. We’re beginning to see a lull of greenery from all of the demolition and construction going on in our area. There are only a few parks to play in for all of the sub-divisions being made. Our home is becoming busy with traffic and over-population. The only breeze we get is full of smoke from neighbors burning leaves or fuel emission from all of the traffic. As a nation we’ve rebelled against Mother Nature and made her the way we like. Things are much simpler in the Bahamas. The way they ought to be.

Going to the islands of the Bahamas was a wonderful getaway from the mundane schedule of life back home. Where everything has the same dull color scheme, the  boring chain restaurants, the lack of kindness ,or the horrid traffic that hits you in the face at five o‘clock; every workday . Back home people aren’t that nice and the water just can’t compare to that of the Bahamas. Hampton Roads is becoming the nation’s fastest growing area; meaning more people and less caring. We should all take note of how the Bahamians treat others as well as their own. They love one another and take time to enjoy life. Expansion may be inevitable but remember bigger isn’t always better. Sometimes a small island with some of the poorest people can be bigger and better than any 4-lane highway or a new and improved town-center. Although I love my home in Virginia, I still wish it had the flair of the Tropics that I found in the Bahamas.

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