Mauritius and at Sea

MAR 24

Well hello there! Long time no talk! Okay, so I realize that’s because it’s been a while since I’ve written anything at all. So, what’s been happening? Umm…well, I’ve been to Mauritius, sailed for another six days, and we arrive in India tomorrow morning. Oh, and the whole country knows we’re going to be there…one of the inter-port lecturers informed us that our date of arrival was announced on prime time television…EVERYBODY knows we’re going to be there! Also, Chennai isn’t one of the main cruise ship ports and since they know we come every year…we’re pretty much expected.

And what about Mauritius? I had an amazing time while there. No, I didn’t really do a whole lot…but that is what was so great about it! All three days (but really it was only two and a half because we got into port at noon rather than 8am…and then had to wait for the ship to be cleared) Ivan and I just wandered around the waterfront and downtown. Being so simple, this was definitely my cheapest port: <$100 including all trips. (Alright, Puerto Rico was pretty cheap as well…but from now on…every other place will be over that for certain because of presents…man, I won’t have room for my clothes on the way back!) We ate out for every meal – this one restaurant downtown looked kinda questionable…but the food was good – and every other place was on the waterfront. Actually, that place downtown wasn’t really all that bad in comparison to this French restaurant: so while there I spoke French as much as possible, and when ordering my dish I asked for the chicken salad, but to exchange the chicken liver (they have it ALL over in Mauritius!) for grilled chicken. The waiter guy said okay. So, they bring me my dish… ½ was the salad I ordered without any chicken, and the other ½ was grilled vegetables with chicken liver!!! Mom, you’ll be proud of me…I ate it. I justified it as a cultural experience…but that was a one-time thing never to be repeated. Ever.

So, back to this speaking French thing…that was an interesting experience as well. So, I spoke as little English as possible while there, but was forced to sometimes. I guess my anglicized Quebec French accent was a little difficult for some of them to understand… and they were also confused about where I came from. They were pretty excited to hear I was Canadian, and then all too glad to talk about Celine Dion. Ummm…I’ll just leave that one alone. Oh! And speaking of being a few years behind…they clothing fashion was from the 90’s! Sorry to inform you Breanna and Chelsea, but I DIDN’T get you any shirts from there…seriously, you guys are missing out.

Anyway, I haven’t really been talking about anything informational about any of these ports… so I thought I’d just add a little blurb in here about Mauritius as a country. For those who don’t know, it’s a little volcanic island to the east of Madagascar, and part of the African continent (oh, I had to memorize all the African countries for Global Studies). This used to be a popular place for pirates, and before the first people landed, the only mammals on the island were bats - that means there are no indigenous people to the island. Today the island is inhabited by mainly Africans, Indians and Chinese because of the slave-trade and from this being a major stop-over for trade (mainly textiles). Long story short…there are many different cultures, ethnicities, religions, etc. there and all are very accepting of each other. Their political and voting system ensures all are well represented (over 10% saved for minorities who aren’t actually voted in)….it’s a really complicated system and I don’t really remember much of how it was structured…it’s kinda like what we have in Canada with how we vote for seats in parliament…okay, so I’ll stop trying to explain it, I’m failing miserably.

Our first day back on the ship we had Sea Olympics…basically our halls are divided into Seas (I’m part of the Caribbean) based on what deck and port or starboard, aft or forward. We could sign up for different activities…so I went for the relay race and ended up with Orange Pass. What’s Orange Pass…well, in a group of 7 we had to pass an orange between us using only our necks. Yeah, Ivan took some pictures.

Oh! And speaking of pictures…I’ve posted some on another site…but of course I can’t remember what that is right now! I’ll have to look it up when I have Internet connection later tonight (when I’ll be posting this). I’ll probably have that added as a post script, or maybe in a message of its own.

Anyway…so that’s basically what I did that day for Sea Olympics, that and homework.

Last night while at work (aka behind the desk of the library) it was announced that Archbishop Desmond Tutu will be holding a mass for Passover and Easter morning! I was really disappointed because I didn’t get the opportunity to go to mass for Lent, Holy Thursday, Good Friday…or anything of the like. I haven’t even really had the opportunity for a mass at all because of the wonky schedule on the ship! (We don’t go by days of the week, so I really don’t even know what day it is today.)

Well, I’m off to explore India soon. I’ll let you know how my travels turn out. Take care all at home…and I’ll see you in 50 days! Yes, that’s right…I’m at the halfway point of my voyage – so hard to believe!

Muah!
Lindsay