Travel Shock

About 20 years ago I went to the Bahamas. As soon as I got off the plane, I went through a culture shock. I was with three other people and we did not see any shuttles or taxis. A local in an unmarked vehicle came up and people started getting in. He looked at us and demanded that we get in. I objected because I did not see any taxi signs or identification. He insisted and we all packed in the vehicle. About seven people were packed in the car. I told him we were going to a local inn and asked how much is the ride. He said that there is no cost and in the Bahamas this is how locals travel. Everybody got out at different locations and no one paid him. He took us to the hotel and refused my money and left. We were there for one week and we never paid for a taxi. People would literally stop to pick us up as we walked down the street. I was perplexed by this behavior the whole trip and on the last day. I finally asked another free cab why this habit existed. This driver told me that on the island the tourist is king because most of the income is provided by tourist. These were the nicest and most caring people I had ever dealt with. I have always longed to go back and live there!