“The Bahamas is the
most ideal and inspiring
location for firing
the creative imagination.” 
Sean Connery

I mentioned in a previous blog post that I would like to visit Nassau again. At the time I penned that piece, I had no concrete plans for such a visit. In the days that followed, I got to thinking. I’m 70 years old. If not now, when? 2025 happens to be the 80th anniversary of the founding of Saint Augustine’s College. It is also the 50th anniversary of the memorable year I spent teaching and coaching at the school. It didn’t take much for me to convince myself that this would be an appropriate time for a visit.

I arrived in Nassau on Thursday afternoon. After checking-in to my room, I took a walk downtown, just a few blocks from my hotel. As I walked along the edge of Nassau Harbor, then along Bay Street, I found myself engaged in multiple conversations with locals. In almost every discussion, we realized that we knew a number of people in common. Yes, the island is that small.

On Friday, one of my former students, Sangena McClain, picked me up and took me to Devine Café on Mackey Street, one of her favorite lunch spots for authentic Bahamian food. Then we headed up to the SAC campus. Students and faculty had just completed an annual walk-a-thon on campus. When we arrived they were gathered under a large tent in the convocation area for music and entertainment, which included some impressive student performances. I had the opportunity to connect briefly with a few of the SAC faculty I’ve gotten to know through the years. No one from the faculty fifty years ago is still working there.

The tropical spring weather in Nassau has been ideal for walking, so I spent a good part of Saturday walking around town, reminiscing and observing the changes that have taken place in the past fifty years. Again, as I walked, I found myself engaging in conversations with a number of native Bahamians with whom I shared a history and a number of mutual friends and acquaintances. That evening, Gena and I enjoyed dinner at my favorite Bahamian restaurant — the Poop Deck, on East Bay Street. They serve the best conch fritters on the island, while the venue offers a gorgeous view of Nassau Harbor. 

I attended Palm Sunday Mass at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral, where I was greeted warmly by the archbishop, a graduate of Saint Augustine’s College. I also had a nice conversation with one of my former students who now serves as a minister of the Eucharist at the church. Following the Mass, I wandered down to the popular fish-fry, a short walk west of my hotel. Did someone say conch fritters? Yes, again I ordered conch fritters for lunch. Chatting it up with the bartenders, again, we had mutual friends and acquaintances. 

I wanted to do a little writing today, and get some current photos around town. I arrived on Bay Street about 10:30. In just the few days I’ve been here, I’ve talked with so many people that as I strolled along the busy shopping district today, I was greeted warmly by people I’d met just a day or two earlier. More conversations, more reminiscing. I also stopped into the famous Nassau Straw Market. Kathy had texted me a photo of some jewelry she purchased there when we visited Nassau together in 1985. She still has the gorgeous handmade necklace, but through the years, lost one of the earrings. She asked me to see if I might be able to replace it. With a little help from some of the vendors, I was introduced to a woman whose mother used to make the necklaces. After her mother passed, she took over her family business. I’m going back to see her tomorrow. Hopefully she will be able to put something together for us.

Now it’s dark again. I just finished dinner and I’ll be heading back to my hotel for a good night’s sleep. I am tremendously grateful for the opportunity to be here in the Bahamas once again and to connect with so many friendly, hospitable people. I love this place!