Bahamas Vacation (2)

Bahamian Vacation (continued)

(Summary of previous story: I had flown to Nassau for a 2-week vacation to get away from things back home and the death of my fiancee, Debby, a little over a month earlier. The woman at the front desk at the hotel, Cinnamon, invited me to her apartment for dinner and it had turned into an overnight invitation.)

NOTE: This occurred over 30 years ago so some of the landmarks and places mentioned may have changed since that time.

The next morning, Monday, the first thing I remember was the alarm going off. Cinnamon stirred. Suddenly she jerked, her face showed fear, then she relaxed.

“I forgot you were here. I don’t remember the last time I had someone in bed with me, beside my cat Char,” she explained.

Char jumped up on the bed demanding attention. We both stroked her she loved it.

“I have to be at work by 8:00, today, but I have Tuesday and Wednesday off if you want a tour guide,” she said.

“Yes, that would wonderful,” I responded.

“You can go back to the hotel with me. I’ve got to take a shower and get ready. Too bad there is not time for a double shower,” she said with a sly smile.

She stepped into the bathroom and the water started. I got dressed while I waited. I sat on the bed. Char jumped up next to me and rubbed her head on my hand. I scratched her on the head between her ears. She pushed up against my hand asking for more. Her purr was loud. The water in the bathroom stopped. Cinnamon walked into the bathroom, drying herself with a towel.

“I see you found a friend Char,” said Cinnamon.

Cinnamon finished getting dressed. We went to the kitchen She sliced some bread from the loaf we started the night before. She put it in the toaster. She set some peanut butter and some jam on the table and a couple of paper plates. When the first two slices had toasted she gave me one after buttering it. She took the other. She put 2 additional slices in the toaster. I choose peanut butter she chose the jam. I enjoyed my toast, the taste of the bread was excellent. I noticed the jam she used was a reddish-brown. It looked almost grainy.

“What kind of jam is that?” I asked.

“Guava jam,” she replied “I bought it from a neighbor who makes it.”

She handed me a corner of her toast. I tasted it, it was a different taste, but it was very good.

“Do you bake your own bread?” I questioned.

She giggled, “I have, but not for some time. I bought this at a small bakery called Model Bakery.”

The second set of toast popped up. I chose the Guava jam and thoroughly enjoyed it. She put food down for Char. We left for the hotel where she worked and I was staying. We went over the bridge to Paradise Island. She parked and we walked inside. I gave her a quick kiss. I told her I was going to do some walking around. We agreed to meet in the hotel lobby at 5:00.

I went up to my room. The first thing I noticed was that the flowers and champagne that were in my room had been removed. I was glad they were gone because the brought back memories of Debby, my fiancee who had died. However I wondered where they had gone. I unpacked my suitcase and took a long hot shower. I did the normal morning activities. I dressed then checked the weather forecast on the hotel channel. I went down to the lobby. No one but Cinnamon was at the front desk.

I walked over and said, “I noticed the flowers and champagne were removed from my room.”

“Yes, I called and had someone do that last night. I also had them removed from your bill. Was that alright?” she asked.

I thought for a few seconds then answered, “Yes, they just remind me of Debby. I want to see some of Nassau and maybe pick up a few souvenirs.”

“If you don’t mind a little walking, you could go over the bridge. Turn to the right and Bay Street will take you into downtown,” she said. “Here take my card in case you need to call or you have questions.”

“Thank you!” I responded. I smiled and squeezed her hand.

Another hotel guest walked up behind me. I turned and walked out the front door. I walked up to the bridge expecting to pay a toll. I was happy to discover there was no toll for pedestrians. Walking over the bridge was like going over a hill. Later I learned later that it is about 75 feet high to allow larger boats to pass underneath it. At the end of the bridge I turned right and walked down Bay Street.

Soon there were shops on both sides of the street. Many of them were selling souvenirs, shirts, shells, jewelry, and other knick-knacks. I walked down the harbor side of the street and soon came to an open air structure with various people selling mostly what appeared to be handmade items; straw hats, wood carvings, straw mail holders, beaded jewelry, etc. One of the first women I encountered said “welcome to the straw market”. She offered to sell me a hat. With the bright sun I decided it would be a good idea to wear a hat. The men’s hats were marked $12, but she immediately told me I could have one for $10. I looked over the selection. I wanted one with some brim to shade my face. She even stitched my initials on the back in colored straw. I walked through the remaining stalls and only picked up one more item, a 3-pocket straw mail holder. I walked to the west end of downtown. There was a McDonald’s there, not what I was looking to have for lunch. I walked to the other side of Bay Street.

I came to a restaurant called Lums. I decided to have an early lunch. I looked through the menu for something I normally would not be able to get. I decided on a bowl of conch chowder and a cracked conch sandwich. The chowder was very good, somewhat like a clam chowder, but this was much more flavorful. The cracked conch sandwich was also good the meat was pounded out, seasoned, and fried.