As I think about the overview of our trip this summer, I can't help but feel like both Jaclyn and I will be immersing ourselves into a culture that will open our eyes to the beauty in local culture. Although we will be taking tours with guides, we want to establish relationships with the locals and ask them for help and for guidance. More than anything Jaclyn and I want to take a break from the active, consumeristic, and political world we live in at home. We want to become active participants in a culture that is built off of tradition, love, culture and history.
Our trip will be a balanced trip between culture, history, nightlife, relaxation and local adventures. This dream vacation is more than just a vacation away from home, it is first step to seeing the world through a different lens. Living in Canada and being in an academic paradigm 24/7, sometimes we forget the rest of the world and the diversity found beyond our limits. It is time that I explore this diversity and find a comfort in unfamiliar surroundings.
George Town is a location that I will probably have time to visit one or two times in my life. I need to take the opportunity while it's presented to me and I have the ability to. Next summer, my graduation will take the majority of my summer along with work and moving away for post graduate education. With this summer, I want to create memories and experience a culture that will shape my perspectives. Hopefully one day, I will have the opportunity and privilege to visit distant island countries like the Bahamas.
What's interesting about this trip is the fact that this trip is neither for pleasure or business. It cannot be divided into binaries. This trip is my way of taking my free time and pursuing all my dreams in accomplishing the local experience. I already regret not taking the opportunity to do these types of trips beforehand when I had the opportunity to visit many locations living in the Middle East, being in close proximity to the rest of the European world. If I could go back in time and experience all the trips I went on, with this perspective, I would have been able to learn more about the countries, cities, and cultures, on a deeper level than just basic tourist destinations and all inclusive resorts.
To the Bahamas we go!
Thursday 23 October 2014
Wednesday 22 October 2014
Bowe Family Plantation
Since the Bahamian is rich with history and culture, Jaclyn and I have researched sites of historical significance to the islands. The history site we chose to visit will be is the Bowe Family Plantation.
The plantation itself, in the past, was originally there to produce cotton. The cotton plantation now lies in ruins. The remains of the plantation remain standing and visitors and locals visit the plantation to see the structure and architecture of the house. The kitchen and space quarters of the house remain standing.
Although Jaclyn does not usually participate in historical tours often, I have convinced her that this is worth seeing. The history of a culture is forever embedded within the present and the future. Bahamian history is no exemption to this. When you can actually go back into history and witness tangible evidence of the past, it's worth seeing and exploring.
Although Jaclyn does not usually participate in historical tours often, I have convinced her that this is worth seeing. The history of a culture is forever embedded within the present and the future. Bahamian history is no exemption to this. When you can actually go back into history and witness tangible evidence of the past, it's worth seeing and exploring.
Tuesday 21 October 2014
Wednesday Night Fish Fry
After contacting Sailor Antonio Johnson from Island Boy Adventures, we have dialoged with him about his favourite local treats! His reply was that The Fish Fry was a must. He stated that the quality of the food is unmatchable along with the flavourful Caribbean style food that will shock our taste buds. Being a major fish lover myself, the thought of fresh lobster makes me already excited for the trip and all the amazing flavours we will experience while we are there!
Along with the food, we are excited to experience the atmosphere for the local along with meeting fellow vacationers and locals. The great thing about the restaurant is that Charlie also offers take out!
A cultures cuisine is significant to understand and critically engage with because you can learn about the central values and will help both the locals and tourists to integrate themselves into a new culture. Food taps into ones senses and I hope that Jaclyn and I will both vibe with the music, food, dance and traditions.
Recipes in cultures such as the Bahamian are passed down through tradition, family, word of mouth and culture. I am thrilled that in just a few months, we will be able to experience the lifestyle and hopefully learn a few dishes from the locals. Being Middle Eastern, I'm used to cooking with rich spices such as cumin, baharat, and cinnamon. However, it will be great to cook and experiences tasting dishes that include spices such as allspice, ginger, chile peppers, jalapeño, and so on.
Two dishes in particular that I am excited to attempt during my visit in the Bahamas is Bahamian Bread Pudding and Guava Duff.
Recipes:
Bahamian Bread Pudding
-10 slices stale homemade bread
- 4-5 c. water (approx.)
- 4 Tbsp. butter or margarine
- 1 1/2 c. sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 1/2 tsp. vanilla
- 2/3 c. evaporated milk
- 1/2 c. raisins
Guava Duff
- 4 Tbsp. butter or margarine
- 1 c. sugar
- 3 eggs, beaten
- 2 c. guava pulp
- 1/2 tsp. freshly grated nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp. ground clove
- 3 c. flour
- 2 tsp. baking powder
Along with the food, we are excited to experience the atmosphere for the local along with meeting fellow vacationers and locals. The great thing about the restaurant is that Charlie also offers take out!
A cultures cuisine is significant to understand and critically engage with because you can learn about the central values and will help both the locals and tourists to integrate themselves into a new culture. Food taps into ones senses and I hope that Jaclyn and I will both vibe with the music, food, dance and traditions.
Recipes in cultures such as the Bahamian are passed down through tradition, family, word of mouth and culture. I am thrilled that in just a few months, we will be able to experience the lifestyle and hopefully learn a few dishes from the locals. Being Middle Eastern, I'm used to cooking with rich spices such as cumin, baharat, and cinnamon. However, it will be great to cook and experiences tasting dishes that include spices such as allspice, ginger, chile peppers, jalapeño, and so on.
Two dishes in particular that I am excited to attempt during my visit in the Bahamas is Bahamian Bread Pudding and Guava Duff.
Recipes:
Bahamian Bread Pudding
-10 slices stale homemade bread
- 4-5 c. water (approx.)
- 4 Tbsp. butter or margarine
- 1 1/2 c. sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 1/2 tsp. vanilla
- 2/3 c. evaporated milk
- 1/2 c. raisins
Guava Duff
- 4 Tbsp. butter or margarine
- 1 c. sugar
- 3 eggs, beaten
- 2 c. guava pulp
- 1/2 tsp. freshly grated nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp. ground clove
- 3 c. flour
- 2 tsp. baking powder
Bahamian Bread Pudding
Monday 20 October 2014
Swimming With PIGS
A group of pigs find their way in the seawater of the Exumas, frolicking around and showing off their aquatic skills! From the mainland of Exuma, Jaclyn and I wish to take a boat excursion to visit the Pig Beach. The cruise we researched takes us from Exuma to Staniel Cay from and then to Big Major Cay, where the swimming pigs are located. This excision's memories will definitely last me a lifetime. It's one thing to say that I swam with dolphins, sharks, or fish but pigs is a whole new level of excitement.
The history behind Pig Island is fascinating. Long ago, a collective of sailors thought it would be good idea and resource to put pigs on an island for food reasons. The sailors never came back to use their resources they developed, leaving the pigs behind to become a popularized aspect of the Bahamian culture and lifestyle.
Big Major Cay is uninhibited and secluded. The only inhabitants are the 20 or so pigs that roam through the island and call it their own. It will be a delight to experience such an astonishing thing! Never will I be able to say again that I swam with a group of pigs!
The history behind Pig Island is fascinating. Long ago, a collective of sailors thought it would be good idea and resource to put pigs on an island for food reasons. The sailors never came back to use their resources they developed, leaving the pigs behind to become a popularized aspect of the Bahamian culture and lifestyle.
Big Major Cay is uninhibited and secluded. The only inhabitants are the 20 or so pigs that roam through the island and call it their own. It will be a delight to experience such an astonishing thing! Never will I be able to say again that I swam with a group of pigs!
Sunday 19 October 2014
Rake and Scrape
Since as long as I can remember, music and dance took me to another world. Being raised in a middle eastern family, dance played a significant role in my upbringing along with music. The most important aspect of music, is the culture in which sounds immerse from. It is common in our media today that we mind mainstream music with melodies that can be traced back to cultures such as Bahamian, Middle Eastern and Latin feel.
Above are the excellent ratings received on TripAdvisor for Eddie Edgewater's Grill!
Eddie Edgewater's Grill located in George Town, Exuma is more than just a place to dine! Monday nights are known for authentic rake 'n' shake music and dance. The restaurant is turned into a dance hall where locals, vacationers and boaters gather to dance, sing, and embrace the culture.
Eddie Edgewater's Grill located in George Town, Exuma is more than just a place to dine! Monday nights are known for authentic rake 'n' shake music and dance. The restaurant is turned into a dance hall where locals, vacationers and boaters gather to dance, sing, and embrace the culture.
Beaches In Paradise
The beaches truly seem like they are too good to be true. With beautiful turquoise water and sand as white as snow, just simply glancing at photos of where I will be gives me the shivers.
Stocking Island, The Exumas
Our first destination in mind for our beach excisions is Stocking Island in The Exumas. This breathtaking destination is accessible by boat! The beach is beyond secluded with astonishing views, it will be magical spending hours on the beach relaxing. The beach offers many natural attractions as well such as blue holes, underwater caves and coral graders.
Paradise Beach, Paradise Island
This beach is connected to Nassau by two bridges. The beach attracted Jaclyn and I right away as we researched the spectacular nightlife surrounding the beach itself. With restaurants, clubs and bars connected to the beach itself, the night will take us from relaxing to a great party. The beach itself has been known to be described as "Vegas in the Tropics" and with a title like that, we must check it out! The beach can be accessed by boat or foot.
Thursday 16 October 2014
Junkanoo!
Let's party! The Jankanoo Bahamian festival is a tradition that unites the islands together. Typically taking place over Christmas and New Years. However, due to the wide spread in popularity and global acknowledgement, Junkanoo has manifested itself into a summer festival as well which has been introduced through June and July. The festival is a time where locals and tourists come together to experience tradition and culture. Blending of various different art forms such as visual, dance, music, and national entertainers, the Bahamian culture comes together to produce a joyous festival that takes over the streets.
This sensational festival takes place in the islands of Nassau, Grand Bahama Island, Eleuthera/Harbour Island, Bimini, The Exumas, and the Abacos. I can't wait to dive into the culture and dance and feel the music of the island. I hope to never forget the rush of the locals around me and the sensational dancers that Jaclyn and I have heard tremendous thing about.
Tickets from: www.carribtickets.com
Listed above are two other festivals that will occur during our stay on the island! Eleuthera Pineapple Festival and the Bahamas Summer Boating Fling/Flotilla. With Jaclyn's love for boats, I can't imagine in a trip without these festivals!
This sensational festival takes place in the islands of Nassau, Grand Bahama Island, Eleuthera/Harbour Island, Bimini, The Exumas, and the Abacos. I can't wait to dive into the culture and dance and feel the music of the island. I hope to never forget the rush of the locals around me and the sensational dancers that Jaclyn and I have heard tremendous thing about.
Tickets from: www.carribtickets.com
Listed above are two other festivals that will occur during our stay on the island! Eleuthera Pineapple Festival and the Bahamas Summer Boating Fling/Flotilla. With Jaclyn's love for boats, I can't imagine in a trip without these festivals!
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