Twelve Black Code Monkeys

I forgot about this trip to The Bahamas, which was really my first to another country, possibly because I always thought of these islands as a colony or protectorate or something. As it turns out they were actually given their independence from the UK back in 1973, only about 6 years before I visited Nassau.

When I was 10 or 11, my mom was working as a copywriter for an advertising agency - I think it was Leber Katz. They had just gotten a new account with Holland American Cruise Lines and everyone in the agency had a chance to get a highly discounted fare on one of their cruises. My mom jumped at the chance. It was my first time on a cruise and so far the only one.

We went in April and it was pretty cold and overcast almost the whole way down from New York City to the Bahamas. The second or third day we were there I came down with a bad cold and had to miss out on the big luwow on the beach. I subsequently spent most of the rest of the cruise in our cabin, and also missed out on the big finale dinner on the ship, although I remember my mom bringing back some baked Alaska and lobster.

Of Nassau I don’t remember much. I think we took a small excursion one day in a glass-bottom boat to a smaller island off of Nassau called “Fantasy Island” although we didn’t meet Tattoo or Mr. Roark. We did have a meal at a place along the beach and hung out on one of the beaches. I also remember lots of people selling trinkets and that we bought a few of these, including some necklaces and straw hats.

I don’t think Nassau had a big impression on me at the time. Maybe I’m wrong, but I don’t really remember being all that impressed. After all, we did not really go into the town, try to meet or talk to natives, etc. We just hung out at the tourist spots, and to boot I was only there on that one day I think.