#3 Hurricane Nicole, Yogurt, Scarves and the Non Fishing Trip

The storm started on Tues. with increasing winds. Wednesday morning was increased winds and rain. I had been following the storm on two sites. They indicated that the eye of the hurricane would pass over us by 6ish Wed. night. At about 2:45 in the afternoon, the rain was pelting down and everything was blowing around. It did indeed get quieter around 6 but at 8:30 the wind sounded like thunder. I had imagined that going into the eye and coming out the other side would be similar but oh no!!! Coming out was horrible. The windows of our house are all hurricane glass. The house is well built but the noise from outside was deafening. It was miraculous that we didn't loose hydro or internet. I figured the best plan was to go to bed and see if I woke in the morning....

By Thursday morning the rain had finally stopped. Wednesday night it was pouring in under our front door and we were trying to staunch the flow with rugs and towels piled up. Quite the scene.... We went down to the beach to check it out. I figured if gold deblouns were ever going to be swept up on the beach, this would be the time!!!! Sadly, there none. Not only that but our sand was gone as well leaving coral out croppings as far as the eye could see. So sad. I am happy to report that over the last few days, we have gained sand back.

This is my favourite place to eat on the island. Sawyer's Grocery Store. They have amazing takeout every day with something different. 

This is Tristen Jerrisma's grandson. When he was seven, 10 years ago, we used to take him and his lovely brother Shilo out for frozen yogurt at this wonderful place where you choose your own flavoured yogurt and then pile on the toppings. I broke a tooth here the other day chomping on chocolate. Frozen chocolate.... I missed the picture of squirting whipped cream on top of the sundaes and missing and it going over the floor in a lovely pattern!!! 

Jerrisma showing off her scarf. She is now working on a cotton dish cloth. 

This is Corronel. Today we had lunch from her kitchen and it was great. I wish we had of discovered where she cooks from before!!! She came to our first class but then running a breakfast and lunch program got in her way to I kind of knitted this scarf for her and I'm so pleased that she likes it. She is also a nurse. The women of this island get things done. Entrepreneurial spirit everywhere!!!! I love it.

I'm suddenly realizing that we are leaving the island next Tues. and there are things I haven't taken a picture of. Jerrisma, seen here with her always smiling sister Marjorie, has a shop on Taino Beach. Before the hurricane she cleaned it out completely. The other day I went over for a short time to help put it back together. The inside of the shop was covered with sand everywhere and  it is probably 100 feet from the waters edge up hill. Gives you an idea of how strong the winds were. I have to go back again to get a better pic showing all of her stuff hanging outside and tables laden with good. They cater mostly to the cruise ships that come weekly to the island.

Since the hurricane, the ocean is still not happy. When we arrived it was so clear but she still won't show me my feet so yesterday we decided to try out our pool. Same old story, lovely once you got in. 

Every night we are treated to gorgeous sunsets that my camera does not do justice to.

Today was a disappointing day. We had planned to go fishing. We set the alarm for 6 and naturally we were up before that. Doesn't everyone do that? We got to the West End before 8 our appointed time only to learn that the fisherman had a flat tire on the truck that tows the boat. We waited around until 10 and then quit!!!! Above is more Dorian damage. It is everywhere. 

On Tues. and Thurs. when I go to Eight Mile Rock to teach knitting, I've often stopped here on the way home to pick up lunch from Deby and Aden's. I had to stop there today as yesterday they hadn't charged me enough for my two lunches. You pay and get your food through the open space in the door. Jerrisma yells at Deby, "She shorted you yesterday." " NO I DIDN'T. I WASN'T CHARGED ENOUGH!!!" To me there was a big difference but I think in Bahamian speak, we both probably said the same thing!!!

 The casino here is closed following Dorian but I knew there were gaming houses where the natives went and said I wanted to go there. To my dismay, I was informed that I wasn't allowed to go there since I'm an off island person. When the casino was open I was upset because the natives were not allowed to gamble there. Discrimination. And now... I'm being discriminated but I'm not willing to make signs and picket.... In case you were going to suggest that.....

Second act of discrimination. My license plate is yellow. Native license plates are blue. Everyone on the road knows I'm not a native. Now, you might think that this would make them more understanding of you trying desperately to stay on the left hand side of the road or to always follow the roundabout rules but no, sadly, no sympathy at all. In fact, I think some folks figure if they sit right on my bumper I will go faster. Sorry my friend, just not going to happen....

By next Wed. we will be in Fort Lauderdale for a couple of days. I'm not good at always writing the last post on blogs but I will endeavor to complete this one. On January 3rd we are off to San Blas, Mexico for three months of fun and adventure so look for that blog. I never think there will be anything to write about and then life happens and it turns into a lovely book by the end.

God bless and keep you from most of life's hurricanes!!!!