Nassau, Bahamas

Hello everyone,

Sorry I have not been very diligent on my blog thus far. Not only is this whole thing new to me, but I have been sick for the past three days :( The weather here is beautiful, about 80 degrees every day with a nice breeze down by the Ocean. The town house I rented is really quaint and gives us a less touristy view of the country. All of the girls I am staying with have made it, and we are all getting along well.

The first day, after we unloaded our stuff, the owner of the townhouse offered to take us to the grocery store. We graciously accepted, however, when we got to the store we suffered from sticker shock. A frozen pizza was $12, a small can of soup was $4, and a gallon of milk was $10! I have no idea how the people make it here!

After recovering, we went to a local restaurant to get some dinner, as recommended by the owners of the townhouse. When we walked in, every one got really quiet and just stared at us, we felt like it was a scene out of a movie. I then walked right up to the bar tender and asked if we seat ourselves, which we did.

The pace of the Bahamas is very slow, everyone likes to take their time and enjoy their company and surroundings, which is very different to me, as I am used to schedules and planning, and getting things accomplished. It took an hour to get our food, and then another hour before we could get our check. The food here is quite interesting as well. All of the local Bahamian restaurants seem to offer the same meal options with the same sides: Spicy Mac and cheese, lettuce and tomato and potato salad. My meal was just as "interesting" as these side options... I ordered fish....and received the entire fish! Head, tail and all, including eyeballs, teeth and lips! By night we were at Senior frogs to catch the touristy scene, and we all had a great night.

The people of the Bahamas are very friendly, the owner of the townhouse brought us all mangos off her tree to try, which were delicious. The men are VERY forward they seem to feel the need to tell you "just how beautiful you are" and then they get a bit more graphic from there... One man even free style rapped a song for a few of us.

We went to the daiquiri shack the second day, which I had read online had the best daiquiris and we were not disappointed. They used all fresh ingredients and even topped us off after we had a little.

Yesterday we went to a little secluded beach and swam out to a sandbar. It was so pretty and peaceful. Everywhere around you could see to the bottom of the ocean.

The rest of the days have been filled with laying by the beach or sleeping when I was sick. I am feeling a bit better now, not perfect but well enough to go out, so hopefully I will be better by the day we board the ship!

Tomorrow is my sting ray snorkeling expedition!!!