Basseterre - an afternoon in the life of

Here are some shots I took recently, of a normal day in the life of Basseterre, the capital of St. Kitts. You know you're in the Caribbean. Bit run down, but quite homely in parts....

My first impression of the place when I visited in about 2001 I think, for a week, - something appealing to me in the lack of perfection (eg rotting wood on some of the old houses, some bit-smelly drains, etc) somehow made me feel, probably, that perfection would not be expected from me...(see my next blog entry which will feature the International Museum for some more about history in St. Kitts) -

(this blog is not intended to be a tourist promo)

Another first impression in that visit of 2001 - The torrential downpour at about 6am, followed by blazing 'angry' sun an hour later, as I stayed in the  Glimbaro Guest House cum pest control specialist business on Cayon St. (will insert pic of that if I get around to taking one).

Felt somewhat ambiguous, as a 'white' person, I was still feeling like a tourist as I took pictures, and one or two persons perhaps were not too happy to get 'shot'

How does it feel to walk the streets of Basseterre on any average day? - busy, always pretty busy, usually hot (somehow the sun seems hotter than in the 'country' but that's probably because at home, one simply avoids the direct sun, usually). This worker can't do that too easily!

Builder on top of part-constructed building adjacent to the Museum, on Bay Road, Basseterre

People interacting with each other in a lively way, music from buses and cars that are passing... 

Waiting for a bus

Lady just about to board 'De Prophet' , going West. Note the fresh produce for sale at right, and Rams supermarket across the road (a good place to find curry ingredients and imported speciality items from the UK). The tree is a flamboyant, or poinciana, which produces much-needed shade.

But still it is possible to relax - to find a spot somewhere, and just sit and watch people going past - like these people are doing. Notice the 'kits' (re-used paint buckets) that serve a multitude of purposes (for example, for holding boiled salted peanuts (yum), for selling)

Near the main bus park and ferry terminal (the ferry to Nevis)

Port Zante - the cruise ship tourist arrival shopping area - a bar worker takes a break in a quiet period.

Two of my own favourite spots for a tea or cold drink are the Ballahoo and the Circus Grill, both of which offer a balcony view of the town (you could Google both of them to see if you wanted - ok now it's getting like a tourist promo - this is for the benefit of Dad and Trish, who might be visiting, hopefully, in 2015 http://metrocaribbean.com/St-Kitts-And-Nevis/ballahoo-restaurant/).
Back to the 'heart' of Basseterre, the residential area right in the centre of town - this street is actually bordering Central St. I was lucky to get a typical scene here - people chatting, kids playing - a real community feel.

Residential area in the heart of Basseterre

All for now.Time to get back home to the relative tranquility and coolness of Molineux!

Time for contemplation