Mauritius
Trip Start
Jan 20, 2008
1
8
17
Trip End
May 09, 2008
Port Louis, Mauritius
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
The next day I went to this island called Ile Des Deux Cocos. Google it, seriously. It's the most beautiful place (tropical place) that I've ever been. It was the most perfect day that anyone could ask for. I began the day not knowing what would come of it - I wanted to get on a trip with my friends Erin and Beth that I wasn't able to get a ticket for so I was "weight-listed" so to speak. In the end there was one available spot left so I ended up going, and I'm SO glad I did. The day consisted of a drive of about an hour) to a dock where we took a short boat ride to the island (Ile Des Deux Cocos). On the way I was able to witness the most important pilgrimage of the year for the Hindu people. Miles and miles of people were lined up with miniature shrines here and there in between. The island itself was really small (only about a 20 minute walk around), but it left a huge impression. It was a resort complete with cavas tents and lounge couches, hammocks and pillows as far as the eye can see! Plus there was a pool (if the crystal clear waters got old) and open bar (interesting story, but I'll get to that later). I swam, snorkeled and just lounged around before an amazing BBQ. There was fresh shrimp, tuna, marlin, crawfish, lamb, and all the fixings. Long story short it was a great meal. So we all laid in the sun all full and happy, then went snorkeling some more. The snorkeling was a little disappointing, I'm not gonna lie - the mask I was using was trying to kill me, I'm pretty sure. I swallowed so much water it was ridiculous. After getting back to the M/V, some friends and I went out to dinner. The night was as great as the day had been.
My third day in Mauritius was another great day. I visited a senior home and a school for at risk youth. It seems like this trip is just one great day after the next. At the senior home we were told about life as a senior in Mauritius. The residents of this home were mostly mentally or physically disabled - sometimes both - and had no family to take care of them, much like senior homes in the States. Unfortunately we weren't really able to interact much with the residents, but the experience sticks with me. The second part of the service visit made up for the first, though. From the senior home we visited a school called the Teen Hope Project. These student (from ages 11-17) had all failed the exam that is required upon exit out of primary school at age 11. The school is essentially a preventative measure to keep the children from the streets and give them hope for a better future. Upon completion of three years in the Teen Hope Project the students are sent into the workforce and often get great jobs because they were in the Project. At the school I was able to help make crafts that the school receives donations for (as an NGO the school remains open by means of donation), like baskets, necklaces and paintings. The students were warm and inviting, wanting to play games and sing with me. Saying goodbye to them was definitely one of the hardest things I've had to do on Semester at Sea. When I think of Mauritius, their faces is what I think of. It's hard to leave a place when someone has left such a lasting impression on you. After all, I embarked on this journey to get a different view of our world, and humanity. So far, I have not been disappointed. So far I've learned that no matter what, it's never too late to start over, there's always room for improvement, and that life is fragile. How many roads did I travel before I walked down this one? After seeing all I've seen I can't imagine that there isn't some unknown force out there making it all work. It works, but it doesn't. Life is fragile, but it isn't. There's so much love in the world, and yet there isn't. I'm still working on getting all that answered - and I might not, but I'm willing to try. My hope for everyone is that they seek out answers to those "big" questions, too. Our world is a beautiful one and everyone should see it with their own two eyes.
