SHOPPING - STOCKING IT'S PERFECT

JANUARY 13, 2013


St Augustine waterfront from
Its Perfect
 

Living aboard permanently takes a lot more thought to keep the boat stocked & ready to move than I could imagine.  Some have been surprised we have so much canned food aboard for our trip into the Bahamas.  While traveling on the water is amazing, going to the store, finding what you need & getting it back to the boat is sometimes a HUGE chore.

I have been told by people that have lived in the islands shopping for standard items is hit & miss at best.  We will anchor far away from the most populated areas most of the time.  So since I always have to have a plan, I tried to plan ahead.

Our budget is now much smaller than when we left.  We no longer have the option to call a taxi, rent a car, or stay in a marina on a regular basis.  So, the chore of bringing what we need aboard is sometimes much harder.  Have you ever tried to bring back a weeks worth of canned goods, meat,  milk, eggs, bread, beer, wine & misc. on a bicycle or bus? 

I did some of my shopping by bus.  I took my backpack & roll around bag with me.  After you purchase your necessary products you then have fit them into your bags.  Try putting a gallon of milk, a box of wine, sugar, flour, some canned goods, potatoes, onions & laundry soap in your roll around.  That leaves your backpack for eggs, fresh veg, meat & bread.  Now try putting on your backpack & rolling the roll around to the bus stop & standing there rain or shine waiting for the bus.  When the bus arrives the roll around is so heavy you can hardly lift it to get on the bus.  If you are fortunate someone like Rod will be waiting to take some of the load when you arrive.  Then you walk blocks to the dinghy & load it in. Then getting it up onto the boat by ladder & the final step, putting it away.

Well you get the picture.  The last time I had a ride to & from the store I bought everything I could that was heavy or bulky.

I am hoping by stocking the boat with long lasting goods it will make buying & transporting necessary & fresh goods a little easier.  After all, living in the islands is suppose to be all about fun in the sun, new people & places, not having to worry if  you have a vegetable to go with the fabulous fish you just caught.