|
|
|
|||||
About the Gerace Research
Station 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 1. San Salvador
Island
Index
San Salvador Island is one of the outermost of a chain of some 700
islands sprinkled throughout more than 5,000 square miles of the most
beautiful waters of the world. Although San Salvador is similar to
the other islands of this archipelago, it is unique for its history,
ecology, inland lakes, and potential for future
development.
|
|
|
In 1492 Christopher Columbus made his first landfall in the New World at San Salvador. At that time the island was populated by the Lucayans, an Indian population which lived by fishing and agriculture. After befriending these people, the admiral explored the island, going north from Long Bay where his fleet was anchored and rowing some twenty miles in search of an entrance through the barrier reef. One such boat canal was found with seven feet of water leading to a deep harbor which Columbus reported "would hold all the ships of Christendom." It is now known as Grahams Harbor.
The harbor remains as it was except for the Bahamian Field Station, which is located on the berm of a beach composed of calcareous sands. In walking distance from the campus Pleistocene sand dunes, made visible by wave action cutting sea cliffs, arches and stacks can be seen.
Much of the interior of San Salvador is made up of lakes which were utilized in days past for transportation. This unique inner island passage promoted the development of several communities on the perimeter of these interconnected lakes. After trampling in the dense bush which covers the island, one can appreciate why this method of transport was used until quite recently.
Today the island's paved perimeter road traverses through several small settlements which reflect the unspoiled Bahamian natural charm. The largest community, Cockburn Town, is the center of all activities on the island, having the Commissioner's office, telecommunication station, and the government clinic with a resident nurse.
In the southern section of the island, a change in the landscape has taken place, initiated by a land development company called Columbus Landings. One can see the blueprint of this new community by visualizing homes adjacent to the recently cut streets. An indication of transition in the older communities can also be visualized, as new homes are being erected and remodeled by young Bahamian men who have been inculcated with Western standards.
Most descriptions of the Bahamas picture islands basked continually with a warm breeze, blue skies, and long sunny days. This is for the most part true. However, it is not uncommon during winter, when a northwestern front arrives, to have as much as a week of rainy, cool weather. These are days when it becomes too cool to swim and sweaters feel most comfortable in the evenings. The rainy season during the later summer permits the propagation of insects on San Salvador to the extent that the nuisance level becomes almost intolerable during September and October. This is the predominant reason for not having field projects during those months of the year. The nuisance level of insects is reduced during the winter and becomes almost nonexistent during the spring dry season.
The waters of the Bahamas are warm, blue, and have tropical reefs which can only be described for their beauty and abundance. Different from northern waters, diving in the sea produces very little comparative air temperature shock. However, many persons require wet suit vests when diving for long periods of time, even in May and June.
2. The Cross
Cultural Experience
San Salvador and the GRC with their cultural setting and geographic location
are not for everyone. Faculty and students may not live in a manner and style
to which they have become accustomed at vacation resorts. San Salvador lies well
off the coast of Florida, a distance which can be measured in cultural difference
as well as miles. The language is English and the people are generally very receptive,
but linguistic affinity and friendliness can easily be misinterpreted for cultural
similarity. In fact, this island is inhabited by a largely agrarian people who
are very religious, who have a value system and world view quite unlike our own.
One of the attractions of the Bahamian Field Station for all visitors is the cultural
difference one finds on the island, but visitors have not always been sensitive
to or respectful of this difference. It is with good reason that we include "dress
clothing" on the equipment list and insist that participants refrain from forms
of personal behavior which might jeopardize the Field Station. We want to continue
to be deserving of the welcome that San Salvador and the Bahamas Government have
extended to us, and feel that a posture of deference to another people's cultural
values is the best one to adopt.
3. The Purpose of the Field
Station
The Field Station has a continuing agreement with the Bahamas government to undertake
a wide range of environmental research projects in the natural sciences, social
sciences, and humanities. San Salvador offers a natural field laboratory for such
studies.
Four purposes guide our activities at the Bahamian Field Station:i. to inquire into the meaning of environmental relationships.
ii. to develop an understanding of another culture.
iii. to instruct students in research methods and techniques.
iv. to conduct initial surveys and advanced field studies of the island.
4. Overview of
Station Facilities
Housing - Faculty Facilities
at the Field Station were built over forty years ago by the United States Sea
Bees. Faculty rooms are all on the ground floor and designed to house two or more
people. Each room has a sink and mirror, 2 beds or more, a dresser and desk. Most
of the rooms have private bathrooms. However, in some cases, two adjoining rooms
share a toilet and shower. While each room has a ceiling fan, the housing units
are not air conditioned. The Field Station furnishes bed linens and towels for
each room, but does not provide daily laundry service. Each participant must launder
his/her own towels and bed linens. Maids clean each room and lavatory daily.
Housing - Students Undergraduate students are housed in dormitories located in the barracks which housed the Navy personnel during their stay on the island. They consist of a nuber of separate rooms housing a maximum of five students each, in either single or bunk beds. Men's and women's dorms are separate. While these barracks were one of the finest built for military, they in no way compare with dormitories on your home campus. For a field station, however, living conditions are more than adequate for persons who are disciplined in keeping their quarters neat and who can function comfortably with minor inconveniences.
Graduate students are housed in ground floor rooms that can accommodate two to five students. Each room has at least one dresser and a desk. Most of the rooms have private bathrooms. In one case two rooms (housing two students each) share one bathroom. While the Field Station furnishes workers to clean the floors and lavatories of the student dorms and rooms, each student is responsible for keeping his personal living area neat and clean. Students are also responsible for supplying their own sheets, pillowcases, and towels.
Laboratory Facilities The Bahamian Field Station has available modest but adequate laboratory classrooms, two large air-conditioned lecture rooms with overhead and slide projectors and video players, a wet lab containing aquariums with circulating sea water, and a specimen repository. Each faculty member submits, prior to his project, a list of those items of equipment and library references required to complete his/her research or individual course. In this way each project has equipment tailored to the specific research being undertaken.
Dining Facilities The Bahamian Field Station has complete dining facilities for ninety people. The bulk of the food utilized on campus is shipped from Nassau by marine transport or from the United States by air freight. Fresh vegetables and fruits can be limited since we are dependent not only on availability of supplies from Nassau but also on the supply boat being able to sail from Nassau to deliver produce. Surprisingly, the Bahamas produces very few tropical fruits which is also a limiting factor. With the aforementioned problems in logistics, our menu is sometimes limited, however, the Bahamian kitchen staff will provide well balanced meals and we can normally serve a vegetarian alternative. Other special dietary needs may be difficult to accommodate.
Laundry Coin operated washers are provided on the campus for personal laundry. Laundry detergent can be purchased on the island, however, as with other imported products you will find it more expensive than in the USA.
Electricity on San Salvador is provided by diesel powered generators operated by the Bahamas Electricity Corporation. As in the USA the electricity is 110 volts, 60 cycle.
Time zone for San Salvador is the same as the Eastern Time Zone in the USA, including both standard and daylight savings time.
5. Recreation
and Entertainment
Sports equipment is provided for basketball and volleyball. Students should bring
their own small games, such as cards, chess, etc. A library of paperback literature
is available for free time reading. Sodas, candy, snacks, postcards, stamps, T-shirts,
and caps are available for purchase at the Reef Club Snack Bar located on campus.
Three different night spots are located within walking distance of the Field Station.
6. Dress
Code
The Bahamian dress code is more formal than the current one in the
U.S. For instance, islanders feel insulted if visitors attend church
in working clothes (i.e., jeans). In respect for the Bahamian
sensitivity regarding dress, it is necessary to require that shoes,
shirts, and bathing suit cover-ups be worn in all public and
semipublic places, and also in the Field Station
cafeteria.
7.
Insects
Like most tropical places, San Salvador has insects. The island has
palmetto bugs, flies, and roaches which are not usually considered a
nuisance to our participants. However, of the several hundred species
of mosquitoes, San Salvador can boast of twelve.
During the rainy season, the nuisance level builds to intolerable levels. However, relief can be obtained in screened quarters, especially during the twilight hours. We are very pleased to report that throughout the year most participants should not experience mosquito bites during the heat of the day in unshaded cleared areas. The biggest offender of the insect world on San Salvador is the "no-see-um." You may know them by the name of sand fly, punky, gnat, or nit. They can get through standard mosquito mesh and can sometimes crawl under covers to deliver a painful bite. Some people are more tormented by these insects than others. Two people sleeping next to each other may find one bothered by bites while the other experiences no discomfort at all. After the first two weeks on the island people either get used to the nuisance or develop an immunity to bites. Insect sprays are useful in the control of these tropical nuisances, and anti-itch creams bring relief from bite irritation.
Other insects which at times can give a great deal of concern are wasps and bees. On San Salvador there are bees which can give painful stings. To date there have been no ill effects experienced even by those normally allergic to bee stings.
8. Bahamian
Immigrations and Customs
A visa is not required for U.S. citizens to visit the Bahamas.
However, proof of citizenship is required in the form of a birth
certificate or passport. A driver's license alone is not acceptable,
although some identification with a recent photo should also be
brought with you. Bahamian customs officials are subjecting incoming
people and their luggage to rigorous search. It is illegal to bring
into the Bahamas any illicit drugs, spear guns, or obscene literature
(this includes "Playboy" and similar publications). Note that
prescription and non prescription medications are allowed. It can be
expected that the Bahamas government will prosecute any person found
to possess illegal drugs or marijuana according to Bahamian law,
which is more stringent than U.S. law, regarding the possession, use,
or sale of drugs and marijuana.
9. Things to
Bring
On charter air transportation, personal luggage will be limited to 40 pounds,
including carry on baggage. This will be strictly enforced. Any additional luggage
will be left behind. Anyone who insists on exceeding this limit may be charged
as much as the cost of another roundtrip airfare or more. It is essential that
visitors include the following in their luggage:
In order to keep your limit to 40 pounds and also bring the aforementioned items, we suggest you wear your dress clothing to the island and bring two changes of field clothing and bathing suits. Avoid bringing heavy boots, shoes and winter coats, and pack in light duffels or cloth suitcases.
10. Swimming
and SCUBA Diving
SCUBA diving to a depth of 25 feet for research purposes is possible
through the Bahamian Field Station. Students must be accompanied by
the professor in charge when diving. Deeper diving can be arranged
with the local dive shop on the island. All SCUBA divers must bring
with them proof of certification (C-card) and their log book. They
should also bring their own regulators, BC's, and weight belts
(without the weights). Weights, backpacks, and tanks can be rented at
the Field Station.
11. Personal
Funds
Personal funds are needed for sodas, snacks, drinks, post cards, stamps, snorkeling
or SCUBA equipment rentals, and any souvenirs (such as straw hats and bags, books
and T-shirts). The Bahamian dollar is on par with the US dollar and they are used
interchangeably on the island. There are no banks on San Salvador. Personal spending
money must be in cash in small denominations. Travelers checks will be accepted
but with a 3% surcharge to cover administration. A vault is available on campus
for safe keeping of funds, passports and airline tickets. Previous experience
indicates that visitors spend as much as $20 to $100 in a week on the above mentioned
incidentals.
12. Medical
Care
Persons who choose to participate in activities at the Bahamian
Field Station must be aware that medical facilities and personnel on
San Salvador are very limited and can in no way be compared with
standards found in most parts of the USA. Thus, one must assume a
certain amount of risk in the event of serious or emergency medical
situations. It is for this reason that the Field Station requires
individuals to procure our accident and sickness insurance policy
which, in the case of an emergency, will cover the costs of a flying
ambulance for evacuation to hospital facilities. Minor medical care
on San Salvador is provided by a resident doctor and nurse in a
modest government clinic. By Bahamian standards, San Salvador is
considered to be one of the most fortunate Out Islands in having even
this level of medical service for its population of around 1000. A
modest fee, usually $50 or less, is charged for medicines and
treatment at the clinic. Participants should be prepared to pay such
fees if they require medical treatment. Special inoculations are not
required, although a tetanus shot is strongly recommended.
13. Insurance
Coverage
A student must purchase health insurance coverage for a fee of $1.00
per person, per day, which is included in the cost of the
class.
14. Religous
Services
Catholic and Protestant churches are the only worship services
available on San Salvador. They welcome anyone who would like to
attend their Sunday services. It is important that visitors follow
custom and wear dress clothing, e.g. tailored shirt and slacks for
men and dress or skirt and blouse for women.
15.
Transportation to and on the Island
Transport to San Salvador will be via small charter aircraft which
leave from Ft. Lauderdale (see Air Charter Information). With the
development of Club Med Resort on San Salvador there are three
flights weekly direct from Miami on Bahamas Air. Transportation for
daily classes and church is provided by the Bahamian Field Station. A
faculty member from the group will be responsible for driving. The
cost of repair of any damage done to a vehicle as a result of misuse
will be paid by the faculty who was driving at the time.
On Wednesday evenings the Riding Rock Inn
provides transportation to and from the hotel. There is no regular
bus or taxi service available on the island. Most visitors find it
enjoyable to walk to the one or two night spots located within a mile
or so of the campus, after classes in the evening.
16. Contacting
the Field Station
Telephone
Service The Field Station's
telephone number on San Salvador is (242)-331-2520, and Fax
(242)-331-2524. These are business numbers and should be utilized for
emergency calls only. For personal calls, visitors may use a pay
phone on campus which can be used to make collect calls or with
AT&T, MCI or Sprint calling cards.
In an emergency an individual attempting to telephone a student or faculty member should call the Field Station's number between 8:00 AM and 8:00 PM, and the participant will return the call. Messages may also be passed on through the Bahamian Telephone Company BATELCO at 242-331-2388.
Mail Packages of any kind should not be sent to students or faculty. All packages are fully inspected and a rather high import duty is placed on most items, besides the fact that they usually arrive after the student leaves San Salvador.
All mail from the Bahamas must have Bahamian postage. U.S. postage stamps cannot be used. Post cards and Bahamian stamps are available for purchase at the Field Station.
17. Property
Damage Bond
Personal conduct on San Salvador must not jeopardize the Field
Station or cause undue property damage. Therefore, each student will
be asked to post a $ 10.00 property damage bond upon arrival on San
Salvador. This fee will be refunded in full before departure from the
island if no damage is incurred by the student or his
group.
18. Personal
Conduct
The Bahamian Field Station and its guests are present on San
Salvador under the courtesy of the people and government of the
Bahamas. As such, you will be expected to conduct yourselves in a
manner that is respectful of local sensitivities, customs, and laws.
Any violations of Bahamian law will be prosecuted in the Bahamas with
no recourse to U.S. laws and attorneys. Any conduct that reflects
negatively on the Field Station will be grounds for immediate
deportation at the expense of those involved.
19.
Refund
There are no provisions made for any refunds if a student has to
leave San Salvador due to medical or personal reasons.
20.
Summary
Now that you have read the preceding description of the Bahamian
Field Station and environment, it becomes your decision whether you
can adapt yourself to this field situation. We recommend our facility
for those who truly enjoy working and living with people from
different places, who are especially sensitive to a people and
culture that are different from their own, and who view scholarly
field work as being especially appropriate to their personal goals.
For those who have medical problems, require special diets, have
problems in adjusting to a completely new situation and different
culture, or have difficulty in living with and meeting a variety of
people, we strongly recommend that you consider this program with
reservation. To those who feel they can adapt, the San Salvador
experience may well be one of the highlights of your life.