A Day in Grand Turk Through a Local’s Eyes
It is a small island. On days when cruise ships come, the island is transformed from sleepy town where horses and burros roam freely, to offer shopping, restaurants, tourist attraction central.
We watched the cruise ship pull away the afternoon we arrived, and today, a day with no cruise ships in port, it was for us, a day spent with locals.
We were toured around the island by a friend, ate at Peaches, a Jamaican restaurant run by Ms. Peaches herself, and spent time floating and talking with two local teachers, one 6th grade and the other, in special education.
Olivia, friend and guide, is head coach and visionary for Turks and Caicos Islands Football Association (TCIFA); her mission being realized as she works to build quality football (soccer) for youth, now up to 250 strong, on Grand Turk. She not only coaches, but also drives her mobile “office”, a van she calls Betsy to transport kids and equipment. Betsy is the primary means of transport, without which walking would be the only way for young players to get to the daily practices. This would mean for some, walking miles, even after dark at times.
And so, with spit and glue and whatever it takes, Betsy must continue to run. Cars are kept long time on Grand Turk as the cost to replace is almost double what it is in the U.S.
People everywhere we went were friendly and welcoming.
Not only were we cared for by all the people we met, but we even met and spent time with the Premiere of Grand Turk himself!
Premiere Charlies Misick happened to be on our same Caicos Express flight from Grand Turk to Providenciales, a 20-minute flight. We enjoyed talking and getting to know Premiere and his two bodyguards over conch fritters and conversation at the airport bar.
His life story is one to be noticed. Coming from family of 14 siblings (2passed at a young age), he had very little means. That did not stop him from getting his education. Literally reading under streetlamps and taking classes via mail, now at 75 years, will complete his fourth master’s degree in June 2025.
Both he and Olivia are focused on creating opportunity and inspiring the idea of believing in possibilities for the people on Grand Turk.
There is always SO MUCH more to discover – everyone has story.
Once again, the power of travel to break down barriers, foster friendships, build understanding proves true.
Let us be clear - diversity, equity, and inclusion are essential to all. Anyone who tries to make these into a negative miss out on so much and only doing so to maintain fear. The only way our world will survive is when people can uphold one’s own and one another’s dignity. We are each unique, yet we are all more alike than not.
Discover, be curious. Stay open. LOOK, listen. That sense of wonder and awe we each knew as children is where we find joy.
With heart open, awaken and be whole.