Water Mission Day 1 (1/15/20) Grocery Shopping
Today is a transition day since the current team of volunteers, Team 6, gets ready to leave and Team 7 is learning what needs to be done. We are the only volunteers for Water Mission who have ever been here in Abaco before, so I got to run errands all day. Managed to stay on the left side of the road and out of the many pot holes. I drove the Water Mission Mitsubishi pickup truck between Treasure Cay and Marsh Harbour for 3 round trips today delivering supplies for the treatment plants.
While I am tasked as a “RO Plant Operator”, Beth’s role on the project is called “House Support”. This includes feeding the team. She has embraced this and we’ll be eating well.
One of the trips with her was to Maxwell’s, the local grocery store which is back in business and pretty fully stocked. Maxewll’s is a large grocery store in Bahamian terms. It is just a little smaller than a typical US grocery like Safeway or Harris Teeter. Generally good produce and selection, but they run out of items and fresh groceries like milk and produce may run out before the next freighter resupplies them. Not much different than before Dorian, except that the store is surrounded by devastation.
We were delighted to find Drift Wood Food Company, https://www.facebook.com/driftwoodfoodcompanyhydroponics/ was in business and selling their produce today. This Abaco company is run by Tracy and Glen Kelly. Their farm is South of Marsh Harbour and was not impacted too badly. Needless to say we stocked up and enjoyed seeing old friends.
Later in the day we are off to Green Turtle Cay to learn about this part of the Water Mission operation.
Team 6, Frank, Laurie and Patrick Thigpen welcomed us to Green Turtle with islander prepared dinner and then we went for drinks at the Pineapple Bar on the waterfront.
“Wonderful day seeing the resilience of the Bahamians and Abacos”
Y’all are the perfect couple for this mission! Beths cooking skills and your engineering knowledge coupled with the fact that you know the terrain and culture. I’m sure a lot of good will happen with your team. Keep the posts coming.
That was yeoman’s work driving three times between Marsh and Treasure. Peter said one time just for golf outings was exhausting to him! ;D
Any noticeable price increases at the grocery store, Beth?
Beth thinks that prices are the same as always. On Wednesday last week the shelves were full. Produce was well stocked. Today, Monday the produce was really bare. We think the freighter comes in tomorrow.
Abaco is soo blessed to have both of you on the team! Thank you!
Keep up the good work. I’m sure they’re happy to have you two with your skills and cheerfulness
Awesome what you two and the others are doing for our home away from home. Bravo to all!!!!
Did most of the Bahamians survive the storm? Where are they living now if their homes were destroyed? Hearing the news of a well stocked grocery store tells me there must be a fairly large population existing under, I’m sure, very difficult living conditions. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all!
Did most of the Bahamians survive the storm? Where are they living now if their homes were destroyed? Hearing the news of a well stocked grocery store tells me there must be a fairly large population existing under, I’m sure, very difficult living conditions. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all!
Population of Abacos in 2010 was about 18,000. I’d guess… it is only a guess… that there are only 20% of the people here say 4,000 and they all go to Maxwells. Living conditions vary a lot. The Haitian immigrants some legal, some not, have it the roughest. In small tent cities. Some sleep out in the bush at night so they don’t get picked up by Bahamian Immigration.
It was difficult for Haitians even before Dorian.
Thank you for the prayers. J&B