A Provision Like No Other

As you know, we recently put Calypso in the water where she belongs. Shortly before splashing I found the galley to have a minor bug infestation. So, I quickly went to work...Got rid of all the food that was onboard and cleaned out each food locker. I knew that I had a big provisioning trip ahead of me so we rented a car and pulled on a dock right after splashing. 

Yesterday I finished cleaning everything up, we were ready to bring food on the boat! I made my lists and went to bed. I woke up at 6am to start my provisioning run. 

I had a feeling that the island may be short on food supplies due to everyone stocking up and preparing for the possibility of the Coronavirus hitting Grenada. I made sure to arrive at the store when it first opened to limit the number of people I’d be exposed to. Before entering I prepped myself by putting on my 3M mask and surgical gloves. Oh yeah, this chick doesn’t fool around with this stuff. Also, have you met my husband?! He is the ultimate planner for crisis situations. 

I ended up being the only one wearing a mask in the grocery store though...I have seen many locals around town starting to wear them. At least the workers in the grocery store were wearing rubber gloves. 

I was a bit surprised by the reaction to my gloves and mask from some…Not from the locals but from other cruisers! The locals seem to appreciate that I was wearing a mask, they treated me very well. On the other hand some cruisers displayed their negative opinion about my safety precautions. I got many dirty looks and understandably lots of people turning away to avoid me as they assumed I was sick.  

The best part was that I even had a cruising couple mock me while as I stood in line behind them. I kindly smiled and told them that I wasn’t sick and it was only to take precaution. That seemed to upset the couple even more so I decided to just go on about my business…”Oh, THIS GIRL doesn’t want to get herself or anyone else SICK!” the woman said in a loud voice….Ummmm, no…I don’t. Have a nice day!

I got back to the boat and we packed our items in. Today’s experience got me thinking…What’s the big deal if I’d like to keep to myself, wear a mask and some gloves in the middle of a viral outbreak. It shouldn’t really bother others. If anything, they should appreciate it as I am doing the unselfish thing by putting myself in an uncomfortable position (the thing is HOT) which would only protect them more than not. 

In the end, we got our provisions. The store was semi stocked and not too many people were panicking…Although I did see another cruiser with 5 full shopping carts. I don’t know…I know that we (Jeremiah and I) think differently than most people, that’s obvious…However, being a guest in a country where they simply don’t have the money to go spend thousands at once, I feel it’s wrong to go and grab all you can out of their hands. These provisions arrive once a week for the island by boat, that’s all they have. Coming in…Visa card blazing and taking the max amount you possible can fit in your car is taking their ability to spread load the provisions for the island. 

We got what we needed but the minimum of what we need…Not every bottle of Clorox but we got one…and on and on. Hopefully the majority of the cruisers will do the same…Purchase what they need…Not take all they can get.