February 24, 2017

The "Rum Museum" has a little bit of everything--model dinosaurs, dioramas of Creole life and examples of Creole headdress. Dan was fascinated with the intricate models of seafaring lore, such as The Nina, Beagle, and Constitution. I was more interested in the incredible number of seeds or beans (about 75 by my count) that grow in the Caribbean. The jewelry was distinctive. I'm sure Dan is glad that I don't see this in the shops. And then, there was the extensive collection of insects from around the world. The butterflies and moths were pretty. The beetles ranged from teeny tiny to palm size! No wonder they are a food source.

The different styles, lengths, and shapes of cane knives from 40 different countries were incredible. We frequently see men and women on the islands walking along the road with their knives. Fishermen and women use them. People chop weeds in yards and along the roadsides with cutlasses. One time we saw a bus driver pull his machete from under the seat as he engaged in a verbal altercation with a nonpaying passenger. A blade is a multipurpose tool for islanders. It took us a bit of adjustment.