Staying here has been quite an experience. The culture is very different and although it is not nearly as poor as it was 6 years ago when Chris came here before, it is still obviously quite underdeveloped.
Mindelo, itself, is a fairly old town that developed due to foreign interests using it as a re-coaling station for steamers crossing the Atlantic. It was also used by the communications industry when cable-laying. Since those times it has declined until recently and although kept fairly clean it is still run-down.
In the last 6 years since the marina was built, it has had a big impact on the town and has brought a lot of money in. However, things do not change that quickly and perhaps it never will.
I find it quite strange that the shops are more like the front rooms of houses or the store rooms beside. They’re pretty dark and you can’t quite see what’s being sold until you go inside!
There are a number of markets but in the main fruit & veg one their wares are displayed but with no prices of course! The quality is quite poor – probably reflecting the fact that there is not much water around and also my standards coming from sanitised supermarkets in Europe. One does get the feeling that as a tourist you pay more than the locals.
There are also many street traders trying to sell cheap bracelets and clothes etc but generally a “no” is quite sufficient and they don’t bother you further.
And, of course, you do have hands being held out for a few coins from the street beggars but again, not aggressively and there are far fewer than before.
There are three very good supermarkets – small by European standards but we have used them to re-stock the boat as they carry most of the commodities you need. We find the cost of living here to be slightly more than in the Canaries.
Mindelo, itself, is a fairly old town that developed due to foreign interests using it as a re-coaling station for steamers crossing the Atlantic. It was also used by the communications industry when cable-laying. Since those times it has declined until recently and although kept fairly clean it is still run-down.
In the last 6 years since the marina was built, it has had a big impact on the town and has brought a lot of money in. However, things do not change that quickly and perhaps it never will.
I find it quite strange that the shops are more like the front rooms of houses or the store rooms beside. They’re pretty dark and you can’t quite see what’s being sold until you go inside!
There are a number of markets but in the main fruit & veg one their wares are displayed but with no prices of course! The quality is quite poor – probably reflecting the fact that there is not much water around and also my standards coming from sanitised supermarkets in Europe. One does get the feeling that as a tourist you pay more than the locals.
There are also many street traders trying to sell cheap bracelets and clothes etc but generally a “no” is quite sufficient and they don’t bother you further.
And, of course, you do have hands being held out for a few coins from the street beggars but again, not aggressively and there are far fewer than before.
There are three very good supermarkets – small by European standards but we have used them to re-stock the boat as they carry most of the commodities you need. We find the cost of living here to be slightly more than in the Canaries.
We have stayed in the anchorage as the marina suffers from swell, you have to moor bows (or stern) to as in a med-moor, and it’s charges would be 3 times what we paid in Las Palmas and the anchorage is free!!! On a daily basis the marina charges 4 euros to tie your dinghy up with discounts for longer periods but you are not entitled to use the showers etc – even if you offer to pay extra. |
We have had some good times with Audrey and Roger chatting and playing crib. Roger even went up the mast for us to re-fix the line for our lazy jacks which help keep the main sail in place when raising and lowering it. Thanks again, Roger! They are making their way to the Caribbean – first stop Barbados and left on Thursday 9th around 2.00pm. Au revoir Sarah Giddings, who knows when or where we will see you again |