Car-less Exuma Adventures

March 17, 2013

 

We have stayed at Emerald Bay Marina longer than anticipated due to weather.  Emerald Bay is a bit away from things and without a car your options are limited, since there is no bus service.  We had planned to rent a car on Thursday to go to the opening of the Bahamian Heritage Festival in Georgetown but were unable to get one. The Heritage festival is widely attended  by Bahamians from throughout the islands. It is also Canadian school break week so cars are next to impossible to rent.

 

But being unable to rent a car has led to some wonderful adventures made possible by some gracious African Bahamians.

 

First I personally, and I think Americans in general, do not  like to be dependent on someone else;  I think it goes against our culture of independence.  When talking to a friend once that has faced some serious medical issues, I asked him what God was teaching him through his struggles.  He said that he is learning that for every giver, there must be a receiver of that gift.  He had always thought of himself as a giver, and now he was learning how to allow others to enjoy giving to him.  While I am in no way comparing our carless situation to his serious medical problems, his answer has broadened my appreciation for giving and more importantly receiving.

 

We had learned from one of the marina workers that a restaurant in Rolleville, a small settlement 8-10 miles north of here, had a good buffet and on Saturday had a van that would take people from Georgetown and parts north to the restaurant and return.  When we called to arrange a pickup, they told us that they were not running the van today due to the Heritage Festival.  But they said that they would come pick us up!  Right on schedule Elvis Rolle, who with his wife Maryann, runs Exuma Point Restaurant pulled into Emerald Bay to pick us up.  After talking to Elvis and asking some questions about Rolleville, he took us on a tour of the settlement and explained some of its history before we arrived at the restaurant.  Upon arrival we met charming Maryann, who was born on Cat Island, our next destination. She gave us the name of her brother who runs a children’s home there and told us to look him up.  It was not a busy day there because of the Festival, but it was a wonderful opportunity for us to talk to them both.  They joined us at the table and we talked for some time. They both work full time jobs, run the restaurant on weekends, and manage the restaurant at the airport – they are busy folks,  but seemed happy to spend some time with us.  The buffet was delicious and if you get a chance to visit them, take the opportunity.

 

On our previous visit, John, one of the marina workers had invited us to an ordination at his church which we attended and enjoyed a lot.  But we wanted to go to a regular worship service there.  Learning of our lack of a car, John offered to pick us up in the church van.  So at 9AM John arrived at the marina to pick us up. I had previously told John that I had left the states with two Bibles, both of which I had somehow lost.  John proceeded to give me a gift of a new bible that he happened to have.   I offered to pay, but John refused. 

 

We then proceeded to tour several of the nearby communities picking up: Miss Portier, a cousin of Sidney Portier, who in spite of some serious medical  issues exuded joy and subsequently led the young children’s bible study;    Sister Sarah, a lovely Exumian women;  a group of young people with a small baby from Curtis;  and stops at several other houses.  None of these folks could have attended without John and the van.

 

Arriving at Mt Sinai Union Baptist Church in Stuart Manor, we joined John’s lively  adult bible study before the worship service.

 

John’s wife, ‘Sharmain’, warmly greeted us and offered us bottled water.  She later led a very spirited time of worship.

 

The message was delivered by Marcus Rolle, a man born and raised on Exuma  who led a troubled life as a young man.  The local pastor, Cedric Smith, mentored him and he now lives and is involved in ministry in the States.  He returned to honor Rev. Smith who will be retiring in few months.  He calls Rev. Smith ‘Dad’, to acknowledge him as his spiritual father.  His message was very good as he encouraged the congregation to “Hold On and Don’t Give Up”, loving people like Rev. Smith loved him.  As we left Pastor Smith shook my hand warmy, looked me straight in the eye, and warmly said "Please come again".

 

Before we reversed our van trip, John picked some sapodilla, a local fruit for us to try and at Miss Portier’s he picked a few papaya for us from a tree near her house.  We got back to the marina at around 2 PM, after a full ‘morning’ at church.

 

 

 

One thing that we have learned, that it is hard to out-give the Bahamians.  They often have relatively little by American standards, but enjoy sharing what they have with others. They are truly very friendly and generous people.

 

 

Tom

Docked at Emerald Bay Marina

Exuma, Bahamas