St Helena – Shopping

We are sailing away from St. Helena at the moment. The last internet access we had was in South Africa. This means that you’ll have to wait for the photos until we get to Rio. Sorry
The St. Helenian people call themselves “Saints” and so will I. Saints are very friendly people. They do not wave, but shake at each other. The six of us looked distinctly un-saintlike as we ventured into town each day. (We couldn’t even pass off as British). Everyone greeted us as we walked up the street and even the drivers of cars would often shake at us in passing. They all speak English but often with such a pronounced Saintish accent that is hard to follow.
Shopping is interesting. There is one bank on the Island and it is situated in James Town: The St. Helena Bank. The exchange rate worked out to about R20 for One Pound. Nothing on the shelves is guaranteed to be there next time you come. Fresh vegetables and fruit sell out quickly. Things are not where we would naturally look first. The hardware store sells some kitchenware and we found fishing lures at a giftshop.
At the Take Away place, there was a black board outside with the menu for the day. Some things were crossed through. As I ordered our Tuna Curry, the man gave me a piece of chalk and asked if I could please cross it from the menu. We have just ordered the last one.
If you want a specific cut of meat, you have to order in advance on a Wednesday. On Thursday morning you can shop for meat and produce, but have to be there at 9:00 or you might miss out. The RMS St. Helena docked while we were there, which meant some fresh stuff from South Africa. (So, Lindy and Karl, we did manage to find eggs) Everything sold at more than double the price, though. I kept on wishing that I bought more of everything in South Africa. A Canadian couple we met, told Frans that South African wine and beer were some of the best and the cheapest that we would find anywhere on our travels. He is VERY sorry that he didn’t buy more.
The place that sells the best milkshakes in town, (which are also the only milkshakes on the island), is a little hidden video-hire store. Inside the store, as a side business, they have a soft serve machine (the only one on the island). Flavours for Milkshakes included Carribean and Mango&Passionfruit. Not too bad at R30 a shake.