A lot has happened since my last blog update. First i will tell you that i am well and am still loving Mauritius and trying to make a change everyday to those who suffer. A few days after i wrote we visited Port Louis, i was surprised how long it took to get there, 30minutes by bus i imagined it being longer. first impressions were, that is is very different from curepipe, more like a british city with skyscrapers and a larger sea port, where cruise ships come in. We walked along the port louis water front, which is stunning and a most enjoyable walk with the sun beaming down on you. Port Louis is very hot and not overcast like Curepipe and surrounding areas. The reason we had came to Port louis was because we had a friend of a friend who invited us for dinner, and wow it was amazing. She was so kind and hospitable, opened her door to complete strangers and offered us a lovely meal. We ate traditional Briyani, Fish and rice, i ate with my hands, like all mauritians do. It is a hard technique to manage, but i reckon i have mastered it because at the shelter its an everyday thing. The lady said she was our mauritian mum, it made me feel safe. This was one highlight of our time in Mauritius so far, making such good friends. I cant quite believe how quick time is going, i feel living for the moment is accurate but also not letting the days slipping through your fingers is important.
At the shelter, life has been busy and hectic. I have been working for 8 weeks now, and i now know everyones names! Since i last wrote, we have been continuing with Maths and English tuition and also baking classes. I have taught traditional Victoria sponge which they loved. There was also preparation for the festival of Divali, (diwali in UK) which was a great experience, it started with cleaning the shelter inside out, which is common around the time of divali, equivalent to our 'spring clean'. Preparation of sweets and dishes were made days before and the shelter was decoration with lights and lamps ( deers in creole). Many of the sweets were made from cardamon, not my cup of tea but still a new experience which must be embraced. As the day approached i was exciting to see another culture celebrate an event. We went to work around 9am, streets were empty, buses not full, but the joy and happiness came from all the houses, the sound of laughter and family spirit. for divali i wore traditional indian dress. Arriving at shelter things were busy, food was still being prepared and balloons were being hung from the ceiling. Throughout the day many donations of sweets were made, such kind people helped the girls celebrate. They expressed to me that i was doing such a good thing, it hasn't really sunk in yet but on numerous occasions many people have said ' god bless you'. In the evening many people came, important figures in Mauritius ate and danced with the girls. Lamps were lit and it was so pretty. (please take a look at my pictures on facebook) On our way home we saw many houses with beautiful lights. It was a great experience, and even at home sitting outside our door there were more sweets, from the locals. It is so nice that they have accepted us in their community.
The week of divali i worked long hours, and worked 6 days, but was rewarded with a 5 day weekend, bonus! We were asked to work on saturday, and go on a trip up to the north, balaclava, which tied in perfectly as we were all going to stay in a hotel and visit friends of Freya's visiting from the UK. Woke up at 6am and got to work for 730am, Bus drove up north arrived around 9am, this trip was a donation from barclays bank, a full day of fun activities. We arrived at an aquarium, it was awesome, such colourful fish. also sharks and turtles, they were amazing. Back on the bus and we headed to turtle bay, beautiful beach, clear blue sea and golden sand. However it was windy and i felt cold, i have totally acclimatised. We left at 12 as we were heading to our posh hotel, YAY!! We arrived and our bags were taken to our room, a ice tea in hand i was in heaven. The hotel was so lovely and apparently in the UK classed as a 2star, here in Mauritius a 5 star!! Free water activites, I'm THERE. Me and Freya went and hand lunch on the beach with her friends it was lovely. After we chilled at the hotel and had dinner. Next day i took advantages of the free things, Glass bottom boat, but i remembered i get sea sick, but you only live once! Went into the blue ocean and saw several different fish, it was amazing, was feeling pretty nauseous! the stay at the hotel was wonderful, but it was also weird when we were leaving, we were going home to Eau Coulee, not UK, no catching a plane and wishing i was back by the sea.. instead jumping in a taxi and going only 30minutes down south. After our weekend we had 3 days off, which was awesome, i chilled to the MAX, don't actually realise how tired you are until you get your lie ins.
My 7th week here was especially difficult, coping with the girls problems can be hard but you have to remember to be strong for them. Unfortunately one of the girls who was pregnant, went into labour 2 months early and lost her baby girl, it was so tragic for her and everyone at shelter, the atmosphere changed and everyone felt very sad. Also the same night one of the older girls escaped from shelter after 4 years there, it was also very sad to know that she was out there lost on the streets on her own, of course the shelter is a very secure place for the girls, however building work was on going at shelter and one of the windows at the back was broken and she slipped away late one evening. It was a very stressful time. She was eventually found 2 days later as she turned herself into the Mauritius childrens development unit, however she will not returning to shelter after her behaviour. so there you go, things are getting more intense on our end.
As the summer has came we are starting to enjoy the Island, having outings with the girls. We are visiting beaches and going on boat trips.
Living here in Mauritius is exciting and new, but i reckon now i feel like im not on holiday. Work is tough at times, i have bad days but theres always a new day round the corner. Sometimes i feel i'm not making a change, but apparently they wont be visible everyday but by just being there it is security for the girls, love or comfort they need. I feel the shelter lacks mother figures, don't get me wrong the wardens are lovely but some of the younger ones just want hugs and love. My first reaction is to just be there for them but i don't want to make it too hard for me to leave when i do.
The language Creole is a dialect of French for Mauritius, i am speaking Creole now, rather than french, very easy to pick up !! :)
Send me letters, i love them!
one thing i miss about Scotland : the coldness at night when i sleep, NO MOSQUITOS think thats it…. oh and my family.. love y'all!
living life to the full.
Take a gap year, you wont regret it.
Daisy
