Nassau- An Island's Story

This last weekend I was lucky enough to be in Nassau the capital of the Bahamas (thanks to Dunkin Donuts for the free wi-fi so I could check e-mail and do homework in paradise). The livelihood of this island is powered by tourism and this is that story from a tourists perspective.

Nassau is the capital of the Bahamas and has a population of around 300,000 which is 70% of all the Bahamas. To get some insight I talked to a local, Andres is a second generation Bahamian born of Floridian parents. He lives on a near-by island that is much bigger than Nassau but has a population of only 30,000. He comes to Nassau to take tourists on excursions such as para-sailing. I tried to get insight into what there is to Nassau. The honest answer I got is that tourism is the economy and away from the port where all of the shopping happens is an average city trying to hold onto identity. (They do have a university etc..)

My pictures are of what anybody who takes a Caribbean cruise to port would see. But I think each one tells more of the Island. Two of these photos (3rd and 5th) are from a straw market. This is where almost every tourist stops to buy things you would expect from an Island. Many are hand-made in front of you in the market (such as the coke-can cars), but much is fulfilling of stereo-types and souvenirs, such as shot glasses and ugly cloths and bags plastered with "Bahamas". One thing you will not find anymore is knock-off Gucci, Prada, bootleg films, and Rolex. The government has recently cut down on these sketchy products. The straw market is also now an air conditioned building rather than a tent. With these changed the money has stopped flowing and these merchants are more pushy sales people than ever.

When you move further into the Island you see that the area really has become more of a tourist trap than a tourist experience. The bars play to stereotypes and do anything to get people inside. Picture one is my favorite, just a beautiful street you wouldn't find in america. But Andres complains that this used to be a center for life and now prices have sky-rocketed for everything. Tourists used to enjoy an island of discount and fun locals. The Bahamas is growing and it is thanks to tourism. Picture 2 is a beautiful site of paradise starring the famous Atlantis resort. I am sure this place is amazing but it is honestly the least interesting to me. A vital part of Nassau but almost a generic attribute to a vibrant place.

It seems like tourists get a catered and money driven experience. I think Nassau is growing but losing its authenticity. I hope to visit other islands in the nation to get a better idea of the culture, rather than the pseudo- Jamaican Nassau.  Picking five pictures was hard, I do wish there were more locals in them but I hope these show it is a beautiful place where tourists photos are a big part of the story.