The ".......everything but the kitchen sink" Story

Cabbage Beach on Paradise Island in the Bahamas.

It was an ordinary day.  Snapping photo after photo on Cabbage Beach which is on Paradise Island in the Bahamas.  Just got back from a walk up the beach to see the "Atlantis" hotel.  Wow!  Make that a double Wow!!  Carol and I along with our traveling companions Jerry and Just Sue paid for a voucher earlier this morning that will give us full access to the "Atlantis."  Heading there tomorrow to see the aquariums, ride the water rides and visit the Digs.  But, today we are stationed in front of the RIU enjoying one of the most spectacular beaches we have ever visited.  Water is super clear and extremely warm and the sand is borderline white, but not as firm as some beaches for walking.  The waves ..... well, there aren't any!  Very calm which makes it easy for the older crowd to enter and exit without much effort.  My story today is more about the visitors than about the beach.  

Mr. Cigar Man dressed fashionably.

 The beach goers seem to be more on the young side than most of the Caribbean islands we have visited in the past, but that's fine.  What is rather annoying, but somewhat comical, are the beach vendors which range from one fellow who is trying talk two women in front of us into taking a day trip on the "Ocean Reef", a high priced yacht for the rich and famous.  Not quite sure why he picked the women instead of our group of four intellectual travelers.  Then there is the fellow selling Cuban cigars who must have asked me about half a dozen times why I'm not smoking one of the finest cigars on the earth.  Heavens, they are only $25 each, a real bargain.  He has at least two dozen in a gallon-sized baggie that he is showing to everyone.  

Ms. Clothing Vendor.

 They are obviously legal in the Bahamas, something they are not in the USA.  The lady who is draped in sequenced shirts and carrying scarves and trinkets has made her way back and forth more than a dozen times throughout the day trying to make a few dollars to exist on this island that lists tourism as their #1 business.  Walking on the beach is a tiresome chore and she does it all day long, probably every day of the week.  Two of the most annoying vendors are the renters of umbrellas and jetskis.  The beach chairs are free for the hotel patrons, but if you care to have some shade from the scorching sun, you need to rent an umbrella.  $25 will get you one for the day, but they believe everyone should have their own and continue to annoy.  

Mr. Starfish Man with one on his head.

 The jetski renters are even more persistence and I must admit, they are good salesmen, judging from the amount of jetskis flying through the water in front of us.  Then, along the edge of the water walks a young local bearing three large starfish trying to sell them.  Not sure how much they are, but he is getting quite a few "lookers", but with very poor results.  Doesn't keep him from trying to sell his wares though.  Now if that hasn't been enough to please the traveler, I saw one last vendor who was selling wooden flutes and a small pull toy that he claimed were made by children.  Worked something like a yo-yo and looked like a turtle.  Just had to see it to totally understand and since I didn't want one, I couldn't take a photo of it.  Hey, his loss. It would have been part of this story and may have made him rich.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.