Dis 'n dat

Mixed breed Bahamian dogs are called "Potcakes." Years ago when the cook made peas 'n rice, the

part that stuck to the bottom of the pot was called potcake and fed to the dogs, hence the name "Potcake". Although dogs run wild, in packs or alone, they tend to keep to themselves and are usually not a threat to people.

It's a spectacular sight to watch the majestic cruise ships silently sail into town . They arrive at Nassau Harbor early morning and depart around 6 p.m. The size of most is incredible and at night they appear to b

e a string of bright lights out in the heart of the ocean, almost looking like gigantic moving houses. In the picture to the right, there are actually 7 ships in the harbor, one small one is well hidden.

With the tourist arriving via ship, the town is quite active. One of the first stops for visitors is the straw market where finagling a good price for a t-shirt, trinket, or other souvenir is what shopping's all about.

For those staying at one of the local hotels, Wednesday and sometimes Thursdays are slow shopping days due to the lack of cruise ships in the harbor. These are the best days to barter prices at the straw market.

Bahamians drive on the left side of the road. The steering wheel is either located on the left or right side, depending on personal preference.

Instead of "Yield" signs, there are "Give Way" signs which basically mean the same thing. These signs usually appear at the circle intersection. If you are already in the circle, you have the right of way.

There are many fast food chains in Nassau, as well as small native booths that offer take away food. This is the same as take out where you place an order, pick it up and eat at home or some other destination other than where the meal was purchased.

The local language is English, but at times it can be quite difficult to understand due to the thick accent, certain words or local expressions, for example:

Most people think of the Bahamas as always being hot and sunny. Although this is normally the case, we do enjoy some cooler temperatures requiring long pants and possibly sweaters. Sweater season falls between January and February, and it's unusual to see a Bahamian swimming in the ocean at this time.

The best months to visit the Bahamas are April and May. From June 1st to October 31st is hurricane season and from July through August is rainy season, where besides being very hot, showers and severe thunder and lightning storms can occur frequently. Losing the use of electricity and communication during storms is not unusual.

In the Bahamas, one of the oldest and most commonly used manners of fishing is "hand-line" fishing. This style of fishing requires no pole, just the line, hook, sinker and bait. For bait, most seasoned fishermen crack open and slice conch, attaching a piece to the hook. Some fishermen take the used conch shell, hit it with a dull instrument, thereby making an audible sound thought to entice fish to the area. The line is then thrown overboard until the sinker touches the bottom of the sea. A little slack is given to the line which is then held until a nibble is felt. As soon as a hit is felt, the line is swiftly jerked back. If the fish remains on the line, the line is quickly pulled in until the fish is brought aboard.

Here's a picture of some of the fish we caught on a recent outing. (To get a better view of the picture, double click on it).

And, here's a picture of a typical sunset in Nassau. It's absolutely breathtaking, with different shades of pink and blue.

Stores like Macy's, KMart, and Bloomingdale's don't exist in the Bahamas, so most of the shopping is done in the "states." Although there are two malls in Nassau, they don't meet US standards.

The local food stores, as most stores, are more expensive then the states and buying fresh fruit and vegetables is sometimes tough. The best day to shop is Thursday right after the new shipment of food arrives.

Movie theatres are mostly up-to-date and new features usually appear a week after they come out back home.

There isn't any sales tax in the Bahamas, instead there is a significant government import tax; consequently, prices are higher.

All schools require students to wear uniforms and most students pursue college degrees in the U.S. or Canada.

Opps. Don't spend all your money at the straw market and the casino. You need $15.00 to leave the country. and your airlines will be asking for the cash.

True Bahamians are very passionate about their political parties and in the Bahamas, there are two parties: The FNM - Free National Movement and the PLP - Progressive Liberal Party. Elections are held every five years and huge rallies and demonstrations stir up supporters. Cars bear flags in support of a party and trees are covered with pictures and names of those running for office. Fireworks are also employed to sway and impress voters.

On voting day, businesses close early and alcohol is not sold until 6 PM, when voting is finished. Each individual that votes must place their thumb in black ink so that it will be difficult to remove. If that individual tries to vote again, the black ink will prevent a second vote.

Be sure you get your copy of the What-to-do Magazine as it tells you all about where to shop, dine, stay, play, etc. Look for it at the airport, hotels or restaurants. You can also go to: www.bahamasnet.com for even more information on staying and playing in the Bahamas.

We highly recommend The Poop Deck restaurant for the ultimate dining experience. The Poop Deck West is located at Sandyport and features indoor and outdoor seating. The food is yummy, and the chef specializes in fresh fish and lobster. Of course, you can also have conch salad, scorched conch and other Bahamian specialties. Mr. Freddie, the proprietor of this very friendly, yet, well-managed establishment, is only too happy to please, whether it be a casual dinner, a business luncheon, or a wedding on the beach. There's also a Poop Deck East location overlooking the Marina at the Nassau Yacht Haven.