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| Courtesy: Apic |
I'm an island guy at heart. Despite a family that hails from all over God's green earth such as India, Portugal, England, and Canada, my immediate family is from the small Caribbean island of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. So Caribbean customs, lifestyle, and fanfare is what I have grown up with, and it is what I love. I love warm weather, beaches, tropical foods and spices, and the hip-moving music that derives from the region.
After last year's return to the area for my honeymoon after a twelve year drought, my passion for my roots were reignited. I visited St. Lucia, a super beautiful island, and loved everything about it. As described in 12 Years In The Making: Relax. Refresh. Return. Rejuvenate, I rediscovered and fell in love all over again with my Caribbean roots.
Also, my wife, of Italian heritage, by way of this marriage has now gained a same appreciation for the West Indian culture.
So with that said, after visiting several islands such as Barbados, St. Lucia, and St. Vincent, and my wife now in the habit of speaking with an accent and being all about guava, we decided to continue our pursuits of the islands in making the Bahamas our next stop.
Now let me just say, I've always viewed the Bahamas in shaken Caribbean confidence, and always felt it was more "Americanized" because of its location (miles away from Miami), and it's reputation for being a major tourist attraction. I was curious of how much of that real Caribbean vibe we would get going there. I was simply hoping it wasn't Miami-extended.
Much to my appeasement, the Bahamas are about pleasing the tourists, their main industry, but at the very same time, if you take a walk around the neighborhoods and speak with the people, that same island vibe lives there.
The Bahamas is beautiful. With the same colorful houses, vibrant spirit, and wonderful people.
It is everything we all see on the commercials and travel pamphlets. The beaches, resorts, sunsets, and weather are all spectacular.
They even drive on the left side of the road. A true concept in refuting American customs.
But most of all, what I found interesting about the Bahamas was in fact the blend of the Caribbean culture with the overall international flavor it obtained. Yes, the natives mirrored what I grew up knowing. However, there are plenty of transplants from all over the world that now make the Bahamas their home. Walking the roads of Nassau, you're likely to see the faces of many different types of people. Seriously, people from all walks of life and from all ethnic backgrounds. It's very odd, but very unique in a special way. It creates a rare atmosphere, one that I am very curious about, and to be honest, one that I wouldn't mind retiring too in the later years of my life.
I always say I hope to retire on the island of St. Thomas one day, and I'm very serious about that. After my week in the Bahamas, I am adding Nassau, Bahamas to my list.
Caribbean life. Diversity. Proximity to the U.S. NYC just 2.5 hours away. And it's paradise? Umm yeah, sign me up.
I love the Bahamas, their culture, and their people. Heck, I love how passionate they are about the NBA.
And yes, I ended up playing several Sandals' staff members who were interested in testing their game out against the American.
No worries, I defended Old Glory proudly, again.
[blog sidenote: The St. Lucians were much stiffer competition.]
Nonetheless, the island's depth is type-casted by it's main source of revenue.
The Bahamas is so much more than just a trendy, touristy spot. After a week there, it is much more than that to me now. It's a place I wouldn't mind making my residence in my elder years.
I think Nassau, Bahamas - 01K has a nice ring to it? No?
Either way, I think I'll start contributing more.
Either way, I think I'll start contributing more.