Island Food AdventureMae and Clinton spent hours trying to solve the mystery illness on board the cruise ship. They needed a break so they finally decided to take a little time to enjoy their vacation. Since the cruise ship was diverted earlier due to a storm, the Captain decided to make a short stop at a small island that had space at one of its docks.
Mae and Clinton had a few hours to explore the island with their new friends Mattias and Riley. You know Mattias from the Gaming room so join along.
As your small group heads off the ship, the crew reminds you to be back in two hours. Each of you takes a short hop off the dock onto the island. Riley lets out a short cry of happiness. You look around and see a few options to go visit.
[[Go to Island Artisans]]
[[Go to Merchantile Building]]
[[Go to Food Court]]
This Island Artisans area has a grassy field with dozens of small 10'x 10' tents for each artisan. Most have one or two tables to display their goods, but some have an open space with all their items hanging from the tent walls. The tent provided good shading from the sun, so tourists are content to cool off as well as shop. There were paintings, pottery, and jewelry.
[[Go to Artisan Paintings]]
[[Go to Artisan Pottery]]
[[Go to Artisan Jewelry]]
[[Return to Dock ->Leaving the cruise ship]] This small building has five tables setup with t-shirts for sale. There are two artisans milling around smiling to all the tourists and answering questions about the designs and materials. Your group looks for the goofy and weird designs that are in children sizes. One of the shirts is full of fruits, which get Clinton hungry. He suggests that the group goes for food first, and then comes back for the T-shirts on the way back to the ship.
[[Go to Food Court]] The food court is in a large building like a long warehouse with several food stalls along either long wall. Your group meanders around looking at the amazing display of colorful foods including fresh squeezed juices, raw fruits, barbecued meats, and some desserts. Everyone in your group wants something different so each goes on their own way. You want to have some shaved ice with flavored syrup on it. You get a medium sized order of mango-flavored ice. As you are enjoying it you come across Mattias who would like to try some.
[[Mattias has a bowl from the artisan shop->Stranger interruption]]
[[Mattias says he will go buy a bowl from artisan shop->Go to Artisan Pottery]]
The artisan was an older woman wearing a large straw hat and colorful shirt and skirt. She smiles and welcomes your group to come in and see the paintings hanging on the tent walls. The paintings are all scenic ones, mostly showing the island during sunrise. She asks if there is any particular one you like. Mattias nudges you and gives you a glance that it's time to leave. You smile and let the artisan know that the paintings are wonderful, but that you aren't shopping for a painting today.
[[Go to Artisan Jewelry]]
[[Go to Artisan Pottery]] The pottery tent is next to the jewelry one. There are two tables set up inside the tent. Your group goes in and checks out the bowls and plates. There are several pieces of shiny earthenware. A young woman stands in the corner with a bright red outfit. She smiles and welcomes everyone to pick up and examine the pottery. She talks about how she makes them over several days and uses inspiration from the beautiful island colors and history. She uses an old kiln to fire the ceramics so that they can be used to hold water and food. Mattias likes one of the bowls and thinks it would be good for his breakfast cereal. He purchases it for $10. The artisan recommends that you go to her friend's jewelry business next door.
[[Go to Artisan Jewelry]]
[[You've already gone and are hungry now->Go to Food Court]] The artisan in this tent is an older man who looks like he is sleeping in his chair. Your group meanders over to the table and looks over the jewelry. There are lots of blue stones set in solver pieces. Necklaces, bracelets, and rings are displayed prominently. Peeking around these items, you see letter openers, paper weights, and picture frames. The artisan lifts his head just enough to peak out and nod his head at you. You smile and pick up a ring that you like and ask him how much it is. He mumbles something and puts his head down again. After an awkward minute, another artisan comes in. It's a young woman wearing a bright yellow outfit. She smiles and comes over to you. It's a good deal and you purchase the ring for $20. She lets you know that her friend runs the pottery tent next to hers and encourages you to go visit.
[[Go to Artisan Pottery]]
[[Return to Dock->Leaving the cruise ship]] As you scoop some of the mango-shaved ice into Mattias bowl a stranger comes up and says, "Be careful with that bowl! Did you get it from the local artisan here?"
You and Mattias look at each other and then to the stranger. "Well, yes, but what's wrong?"
There may be lead in that pottery. If you eat from that bowl...well many times...then you may get lead poisoning.
"How do you know that it has lead? The lady in the tent said that it was safe for eating and drinking from," Mattias said.
"I don't have a lead test kit, but I know that old oven she uses to fire the ceramics is pretty old," the stranger added.
Mattias looks to you and asks, "What do you think?"
[[Tell Mattias not to eat from the bowl->Head back to ship]]
[[Tell Mattias it's ok, we can check later->Ship crew member intervenes]]
You head back to the ship to see if the bowl can be tested for lead. It takes a while to find a test kit; but eventually Mae's mother finds one and tests the pottery. It turns out that there is lead. Mae's mother notifies the ship's cruise director who can have the island liaison work with the artisan on resolving the issues.
Mattias is happy he didn't eat from the bowl and says, "Well, I can use it to keep spare change and knick knacks. It's still pretty."
Read more about lead poisoning from bowls:
http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm233531.htmAs Mattias is about to eat the shaved ice, a crewmember steps in and says, "I overheard the conversation."
"It's better to be safe than sorry, so how about skipping on that serving. I will buy you your own and then we can bring the bowl back to the ship for testing."
[[Head back to ship]]