Campus Feature

Students Return from Bahamas More Knowledgeable
by Debi Cruse

Students of the Life Science Club at Potomac State College of WVU recently returned from an educational trip to Freeport, located on Grand Bahama Island in the Bahamas, where they observed first hand the various flora and fauna and experienced the diverse culture of the area.

The students learned that the first-known residents of the Bahamas were the Siboney Indians, followed by the Lucayans, the Spanish, pirates and buccaneers, the British, and American Loyalists who brought with them slaves from West Africa.  They also learned that a stromatolite limestone reef on the eastern shore of Exuma is considered the oldest evidence of life on earth.

The group departed BWI Airport in Baltimore and in just a little over two hours they were picking up their luggage at the Grand Bahama International Airport in Freeport.  Although the temperature was 85 degrees when they arrived, it didn't feel too hot because of the low relative humidity and the constant breeze blowing in from the ocean.  The ride to the hotel was interesting as much for the sights as it was in trying to get used to driving on the opposite side of the road.

The cab drivers were an endless source of information, having lived on the Island all their lives  They readily answered questions about names of trees, types of flowers and native wildlife living on the island, which by the way are squirrels and a certain type of monkey.

After checking in, it was time to explore.  One of the first things we noticed was virtually no bugs, flies or other type of insects bothering us.  However, we did discover the ever present small lizards, called "curly tails" scurrying about.

Curly Tails are so named because they hold their tails in a curl on their backs or beside their bodies when they become excited.  The tail is also used for fighting and threatening other Curly Tails by lashing it around furiously. 

Several of the students opted to explore one of the many beaches while others decided to enjoy one of the nearby pools, the waterslide and the straw market.

The International Bazaar and Straw Market was located next to the hotel.  The students found an abundance of dolls, bracelets, pocketbooks, totes, and numerous other items that were handmade by the people of this tropical island.  While shopping, they were treated to cultural sights dating back generations.  As they watched some of the vendors weaving various items, they learned that Bahamian straw workers typically learn their craft at an early age, usually by helping their mothers, grandmothers, or even great-grandmothers plait intricate designs.

The first night there, the group was treated to a preview of a celebration called "Junkanoo."   According to legend, Junkanoo probably began in the 16th or 17th century.  Around the Christmas Holiday Bahamian slaves were given a few days off in order to spend time with their families.  They celebrated during this time with music, dance and costumes.  After slavery was abolished, the celebration almost disappeared, however, a few of the islanders kept it going and over time Junkanoo became a joyous celebration of freedom with parades, brightly colored costumes and lots of music and dancing.

Bahamians are a proud, independent and friendly people.  They are quick to share knowledge of their island and welcome the influx of people tourism has brought.  They are a Christian country, with the largest number of churches per capita in the world.  Music and religion are also an important part of their lives.  

Approximately 85 percent of the people of the Bahamas are of West African descent.  These islands are considered a cultural melting pot because of the many diverse backgrounds and cultural influences.  This diversity is apparent in their music, beliefs, and in their food.

The local cuisine was an exciting experience as Bahamian food is spicy, tantalizing and delicious.  Rice and peas, a staple, served as a side dish with most meals, delighted the palette with numerous spices.  Another traditional side dish of fried plantains, a type of banana, was also served and left no need for dessert, as they were fried in butter, brown sugar and other sweet spices.  "The red snapper was delicious and spicy," stated one of the students after eating at a restaurant favored by the locals.  Timothy Turner, instructor in biology and advisor to the Life Science Club had this to say about the local cuisine, "When you are in the Bahamas you must eat conch.  Conch, a large ocean mollusk, residing in the large pink and brown shells, is one of their most popular sea foods."  Most of the students tried it fried, steamed or prepared as conch fritters.  "It has an unusual flavor, but was still pretty good," stated Stacey Haddix.

The students also explored the gardens located across from the main entrance of the hotel.  In addition to the numerous plants, flowers, trees, and ponds, there was a huge strangler fig.  The strangler fig tree starts life as a tiny seed in the canopy. The roots grow down in the forest floor where they take root and absorb nutrients from the soil. Gradually the roots wrap around the host tree, widen, and slowly form a lattice pattern that surrounds the host's trunk. The crown of the fig grows foliage which soon overshadows the tree, eventually killing the host tree leaving only a hollow trunk.

As the students moved about via buses or on foot, they saw no little white houses with picket fences.  Most often, houses and buildings were painted soft pastels of yellow, green, pink, blue, and lavender while others were painted vibrant shades of the same colors.

By far, one of the most mystifying sights had to be the day the group went snorkeling at Paradise Cove.  While snorkeling, many of the students saw barracudas, brain coral, sea biscuits, sand dollars, spiny coral, schools of transparent fish, ocean grass and scores of other underwater treasures.

The last night there, the group enjoyed dinner together at Pier One, which is located directly above the ocean, on Freeport Harbor.  While seated on the outside balcony, they were able to observe live sharks approximately 18 to 20 feet long, feeding in the waters below.     

To say the students visited the Bahamas wouldn't be quite true. To say they "absorbed" the Bahamas would be a more accurate statement. They ate the food, tasted unusual cuisine, asked questions of the natives, explored the natural habitat, inspected their surroundings, fed sharks and observed various live treasures of the sea. Oh, and one more thing - they did drink the water.

MORE PICTURES:

The Life Science Club officers and club advisor  Tim Turner take time for a picture in the tropical gardens across from the hotel.

Students examine coconuts that have fallen from a tree in Paradise Cove.

Students climbed up and into the "Strangler Fig" tree located in the gardens across from the hotel.  The tree looked as if it had grown sideways instead of up.

Spiney Coral on the ocean floor at Paradise Cove where the group went snorkeling.

This Brain Coral, also on the ocean floor at Paradise Cove, was surrounded by other types of coral and sea grass 

The "Junkanoo" celebration was colorful and interesting.

"Must we leave?"