Backpacking While Black

Bahamas, August 2006: Day 5, August 28, 2006, Nassau (Homeward Bound)

I was waiting for this day to come. Not that I wanted to leave Nassau, but I was eager to explore the downtown Nassau on foot. After breakfast in the hotel’s restaurant, I shouldered my camera bag and headed east on Bay Street along Junkanoo Beach. I spotted two cruise ships, the Carnival Valor and the Disney Magic, sitting at the cruise ship pier in Nassau Harbor. They had probably just unloaded their passengers who were now descending on downtown Nassau. This made my walk much more dynamic.

Downtown Nassau started when West Bay Street turned into Bay Street. A better marker is the British Colonial Hilton Nassau hotel. I found an even more ironic marker across the street. Earlier, just out of curiosity, I asked Craig where the American embassy was located. He told me across the street from the Hilton and next a McDonald’s. I thought he was joking that the American embassy was located next to such an American icon as McDonald’s. He wasn’t joking. I walked past the McDonald’s on Bay Street and no more than 500 feet from the drive through was the heavily guarded and shaded American embassy with its trade mark large American flag waving from top of the building. I tried to get a picture, but the bad angles and fear of getting arrested stopped me.

I continued my walking tour of Nassau past the Hilton and into the Nassau Straw Market. The cruise ship passengers made the market busier than normal, but it didn’t stop shop owners from calling me over to view their wears. I was only interested in a magnet and shot glass. I had begun to collect them as I traveled. I would’ve loved to rely on my stories and pictures, but having a physical item makes for better conversation in my home. I went to three different stands and finally settled on a shot glass and magnet for $4. For my first time haggling, I think I had done pretty well. Gifts in hand, I made my way past the docks to the big pink Bahamian Parliament Building. I was surprised that people could get so close to the country’s seat of power, but it was all for the sake of the country’s number one industry, tourism.

Past Parliament there wasn’t much more to Nassau than just more shops and cargo facilities, so I decided to make an about face towards the Nassau Palm. Plus I had to meet up with the Eldons so they could take me to the airport. I arrived back at my hotel just in time to take a shower and meet the Eldons in the lobby. I checked out and we were soon off to Nassau International Airport. We made one stop at Kandice’s parents’ home in order for me to pick up another tuxedo to bring back to Atlanta. I said my goodbyes to the Weech’s and thanked them for their hospitality and for such a great start to my Nassau vacation. After one last ponder of their beachfront view, we got back into the car and headed for the airport, again. Once we arrived, the Eldons bid me a found farewell. I promised to write and revisit them when I came back to Nassau; probably for Junkanoo in December or January. They gave me a great hug and thus concluded my time in Nassau with a family I had grown to call my own in such a short while.

After processing I had more than enough time for reflection as my flight back to Miami was delayed for an hour and half. I would only have 15 minutes to make it to my connection to Atlanta. It didn’t matter because I just had one of the best times in Nassau. I saw two friends become one. I had enjoyed the food, music and culture that share a similar background to my own. I had met a family that welcomed me in like I was their son. And I had seen a country from the eyes of a tourist and a native. It was a complete trip and it was one that I would gladly repeat. See you soon Nassau.

posted by Dre' @ 8/28/2006 03:50:00 AM