Taking advantage of being in close proximity to the largest town in the Exumas, we went ashore to George Town to do some shopping. Specifically we were in search of fresh produce, milk, water, four washers to prop up our boom, three stamps, to donate some school supplies to the local elementary school, and to drop off about two weeks of our garbage. When supplies run out as they presently have -we have no fresh milk, no fresh fruit, no salad, cucumbers, or peppers on board, we were greatly looking forward to the opportunity to restock. Going shopping down here is always an adventure as one never knows what one will find and today was no different. A list can be helpful, but one always has to be flexible and not too discouraged if an item can’t be found. It leaves you hopeful that maybe next time you will find it.
The first order of business was to pay $6 to dispose of two bags of garbage we had accumulated. Conveniently located next to the dinghy dock in George Town, you simply place your garbage in the back of a parked truck and drop your cash through the drivers’ seat window that is opened three inches - all payment is on the honor system as no one was around to monitor. Also adjacent to the dinghy dock is the most convenient and most expensive grocery store -Exuma Market. A quick walk through revealed it had been several days since the supply boat had been, as the market was very low on fresh produce. This meant I was all the more determined to checkout the inventory at Shoprite, the other market located 0.5 miles away after a stop at the post office and the school.
Arrived at the post office at 2:30 pm to mail three letters. The post office is supposed to be open until 4:00 pm but a hand written sign on door said they close at 2:00 pm. I presumed this early closing meant just for today but one never knows. Struck out with my hopes of getting Easter cards and a birthday card in the mail before Easter. Across the street I greeted the school monitor at the school gate as the elementary school was being dismissed. Gave her the few school supplies I had brought from home. Meanwhile, Harry is refilling two five gallon jerry cans with free drinking water conveniently located at the dinghy dock, shuttling the 10 gallons of drinking water back to Juno and emptying them into our 75 gallon storage tank on Juno. He makes two trips, transporting 20 gallons, helping replenish our fresh water supply for a few additional weeks (we use very little water, about 8-10 gallons/week for drinking, rinsing, and laundry). On shore, I (Sarah) continue to hunt for groceries.
Shoprite, the other market, has lower prices and some produce so I (Sarah) buy some, but not all produce desired. Most importantly, one gallon of distilled water is purchased (at the bargain price of $6 to be used to replenish our batteries). In walking back to Exuma Mkt, I stop to buy tomatoes and cabbage from the same street vendor that was here three years ago. Returned to Exuma Market to purchase remaining produce and dairy while Harry seeks and finds four washers for our boom. We rendezvous at Exuma Market and make one last purchase- a pint of Breyer’s ice cream - before returning to Juno to refrigerate groceries, add a final ten more gallons of water to our tanks, and to indulge ourselves consuming the entire pint of ice cream before it melts and putting an end to a successful afternoon of shopping.
Sorry no pictures of shopping but before Sarah hit the stores we did some snorkeling nearby Juno and saw one of the more unique boats heading out of the harbor.
No comments:
Post a Comment