Off the Fast Track into Sanity

Heading for the Bahamas

On Sunday, John and I are joining his daughter and son-in-law to make our way to Staniel Cay in the Exuma chain of the Bahama Islands. We will be living a week in a tiny cottage without TV, radio, DVD, or telephones. For the two of us it will be a return to a much loved place. The island has only nine guest houses and 80 permanent residents. There is one nurse and no police. As one native once told me, "Why steal anything on this island, you wouldn't ever be able to use it?"

Most of the Bahamians there live in very basic housing--small and without most of the things we in the States consider necessities, including airconditioning and cars. They do have access to television and are aware that others have far more material goods than they do, but most would not consider trading places with you or me. They have what they treasure: loving families, enchanting terrain, a relaxed lifestyle centered on living rather than acquiring, and churches that nourish their spirituality. I have often been astonished by residents of these remote islands, who claim that they have no desire to even visit other places, including Nassau.

Don't get me wrong, the residents on Staniel Cay are not without their own "sins." They love to party as well as pray. They do get mad with each other. Not all are totally faithful to their spouses. It is not Eden, it's just a place where the culture stresses cooperation more than competition, where life is lived by moments, and where people have decided to be happy with what they have.

I won't be blogging--unless some major event happens, I probably will not even be aware of what happens outside of the island's two square miles and the other small islands that surround it. I will be on "Bahamian time" and do not intend to even pack my watch. Sure it is escapism, but is also a retreat to remember what, when it's all boiled down, life is essentially about. It's so easy to forget.