by Dr. Ken Knowles

RECENTLY quite a lot has been said about the suffering that Atlantis inflicts upon beautiful downtown Nassau. At first glance, there may not appear to be all that much that is appealing or interesting for visitors to our downtown area.

However, on further reflection, one can soon realise just how many fun tourist attractions, and potential attractions, there really are. Some that come to mind immediately are:

• The Bay Street drag races, nightly from dusk to dawn. Said to be second in thrills only to the Collins avenue races.
• Charming and well preserved historical buildings and shipping containers.
• Mounds of field garbage that would gladden the heart of any bacteriologist or epidemiologist.
• Alluring restaurants and watering holes featuring authentic Bahamian fare at reasonable prices.
• Especially fortunate tourists might get to actually witness an exciting robbery, mugging or possibly an escaping prisoner.
• Visitors could join a Treasure Hunt to look for, e.g. a trash container, internet cafe, or functioning ATM machine or restroom.
• Children in particular, would be fascinated by our abundant wildlife such as rats, roaches and scavenging potcakes.
• Perhaps appearances could be scheduled for one of our abused and emaciated surrey horses so the kids could learn to count on their protruding ribs.
• Children could also participate in games like Spot the Dealer, Graffiti Artist, Pimp or Cop (extra points for spotting a policeman).
• Boot scrapers could be placed strategically to facilitate the removal of excrement, body fluids and chewing gum from footwear.
• Finally, tourists seeking spontaneous standup comedy could visit our Houses of Parliament when in session several times a year.

Nassau, July 6, 2007.

First printed as a letter to the Editor in The Tribune on Saturday, July 28, 2007 and reprinted here with the kind permission of Dr. Knowles.