Island Time

    It's Island Time Mon!  This is a phrase you’ll hear a lot in the Bahamas.  I guess when you get to any of the islands from the Bahamas down through the Caribbean you’ll hear it a lot.  So what does it mean?  When we first got to the Bahamas last year it generally meant to chill out or slow down.  Nothing happens at break neck speed or on a timely manner here on the outer islands.  But as we spend more time in the Bahamas, it has grown to mean a lot of things and we understand it and love it..

     Take for example, some businesses close for lunch.  So what’s the big deal about that?  Some close for 2 hours over lunch.  And what if you try to hail a local establishment on the VHF radio.  Don’t try too early in the morning or too late in the afternoon.  Or, when you get to the local business you may have to wait for the owner to show up from who knows where.  Speaking of communication, that VHF radio on your boat, take care of it.  It’s one of the main sources of communications.  Telephone and internet, although improving, leave a lot to be desired especially when you think about those faster than the speed of light internet connections you left behind.     What if you're working on a project or emergency repairs on your boat, well good luck with that.  If the material or spares are not already in your boat's inventory, the materials and parts will probably have to be special ordered 95% of the time, and they’ll be arriving on the mail boat soon.  Oh yea, the mail boat.  It runs on “schedule” 3 weeks out of the month.  The Bahamian government cut back on fuel subsidies, and the mail boats dropped one delivery date each month.  And if there’s a blow coming through, it’ll  delay the mail boat by a day or two, or three…..  What about your 401k or your portfolio?  Better take care of that before you leave civilization.  Having some medical issues?  If the adjacent island to your anchorage has a clinic, the nurse at the clinic, if she’s not on her 2 hour lunch break,  can fix you up most of the time.  But if it requires a doctor or a dentist, crank up those diesel engines on your boat and start plotting a course to one of the larger communities.  Do you enjoy reading the newspaper with a cup of joe?  No paper boys down here, and bring your own coffee.  Starbucks hasn’t discovered the Bahamas!  So you think you’ll catch that ball game tonight?  Unless you have satellite television on your boat, you’ll have to go to one of the local restaurants or watering holes on the larger out islands for the game if the establishment is open for happy hour or stays open that late.  Speaking of watching that game on the boat if your so fortunate, I’m sure you’ll want to drink a cold brewski.  You’ll probably need to bring a couple of cases, make that many cases for on the boat.  And if you get the munchies, better bring a couple bags of your favorite chips and salsa.  No mini-market to run to at 9 pm.  Same with grocery shopping.  Plan ahead and take advantage of every opportunity to grab that produce on Wednesday for Saturday night’s salad. 

     Have you figured out what island time is?  Island time is a way of life.  And the people of the islands are so very happy because they don’t have all the stress and worries that the rest of the civilized world has thrust upon itself.   The only thing that is reliable and dependable to the Bahamians is the sun, that it rises and sets every day.  And the most important thing to the Bahamians is family.   So, the next time someone says to you that you’re on Island Time, take a swig of your Kalik, look them square in the eye and proudly say “Yeah Mon…… Island Time!”.