Sailors from Haiti

While in Bimini we met a journalist and filmmaker who were sailing with 4 Haitians to Florida.  Sailing is a literal term here since their open boat has no engine.  They have oars and poles and sails. The trip, is being done in a traditional open boat to draw attention to the hardships of present day Haitian refugees.  In the Bahamas, there seems to be some animosity toward Haitians.  Bahamians do complain about the way Haitian fishermen raid Bahamian lobster traps, fish in Bahamian waters and use bleach to capture lobsters and thus ruin the reef.  Many people say that there is great prejudice against Haitians, but we did not witness that first hand.  The journalist told us stories of fights and intimidation but we did not see that.   The sailors  completed so much of their journey over open ocean crossing  passages with strong currents renowned for nasty conditions.  I cannot imagine 6 people in this boat in those waters.  There is no cabin only a tarp which they pull over the boat when sleeping or trying to escape the rain.  Bimini must have seemed like a great safe haven.   At dinner, they went conching  and wow you should have seen them get the conch out of the shell and onto the grill. They have conch acumen.  We wished them well as we headed out.  They were waiting for calmer seas and more favorable winds.  I hope they get them.