By Caciques Hannah and Nic

Anticipation rushed through all 48 students as we jumped off of the bus in Tarpum Bay for our very first “Settlement Day” an essential kind of field trip that we will have throughout the semester for our Histories class. No one knew what to expect as we headed into a day full of Bahamian people and food, as well as new experiences. The sun was high in the sky as we descended upon the farmers market, a smell of freshly fried chicken and conch fritters in the air. It was unlike anything we had seen before, with music playing and unfamiliar people, noises, and smells. The group immediately dispersed to the different stands, examining local jewelry and treats. Conch salad, rice, coconut cake, macaroni and cheese; the options seemed endless as people made their decisions. After filling our stomachs, we split into groups to explore new settlements and meet the locals. The day was full of exciting adventures as we immersed ourselves into the Bahamian culture, interviewing locals and gaining a wide knowledge of history and life on Eleuthera.

The hectic day began to wind down as we returned to campus that afternoon. Luckily, we had a relaxing Saturday night ahead of us. We grabbed our pillows and blankets and migrated outside to end the day with a movie as the moon floated higher in the sky, stealing our attention with its breathtaking brightness and vibrancy. The clouds drifted past it as the night wore on and our eyes grew tired.