Dodoland!!!

Times Lost: 2
Items Lost: 1 (Adios coconut ring from Brazil)

We had trouble locating- go figure- the bottom of the mountain to hike. We could not, for the life of us, find the right bus station. Despite asking countless people.

*WELCOME TO MAURITIUS, LAND OF THE DODO. Their claim to fame. Dodo magnets. Dodo bags. Dodo paintings. Dodo EVERYWHERE. It’s actually rather ugly and boring, if you ask me. The dodo, that is.

*Why we are here is a little beyond me. Next trip gets to go to Namibia instead. Lucky. Believe it or not, Mauritius is quite impressive. Some 900,000 tourists come each year. It’s popular among the Brit’s and South Africans. It’s among the countries leading trade and exports. Beautiful beaches. But still- I don’t quite understand why we stopped there. Filler? **Let’s see… the first day we tried to hike a mountain. We could not find the bottom. That’s probably for the best. The last time I exerted copious amounts of energy was drying my hair. Haha… kidding. Instead, we went to a beach. COMPLETELY ripped off by the taxi. He nearly tripled the price. Needless to say, I got my claws. After feeling robbed, you become this animal. Mom, you’d be so surprised. Now, I’m like queen of haggling. The beach was quiet and beautiful. The water is this light blue, with boat just floating nearby. Pine trees- go figure- line the beach. That night we went to the nearby English pub, which was quiet, but fun. Most SAS’ers bought villas on Flic en Flac beach. At first, I was jealous. After the fact, I am so happy I didn’t.

*The second day we went to Flic en Flac. The Semester at Sea people were huddled in their awfully white group. It reminded me of the kids at Operation Hunger. Too scared to branch out. Not to mention giving Americans a horrible name for ourselves. I don’t want to be known as some drunk, being rude and tasteless to locals. That’s just me. That beach was pretty, but god was it hot. My chin was burnt (I swear I put sunscreen on Mom) and blistered pretty badly. The sand and salt water burned. BURNED. We walked to the edge of town (see times lost) and ended up at a cute little restaurant. God, was the Chinese food good. Haha, of course some of the best Chinese food I’ve had be in MAURITIUS?!? Ha. Afterwards we walked back and stayed on the beach a bit longer. Then I fought with a taxi cab driver or two (told you, I’m getting pretty good). Of course, the one we go home with (500 rupee!! Bargain!) is like doing errands. You need a pass to go into the port, and he left us in the parking lot while he went and bought one for like ten minutes. That night we had a great conversation with a bunch of girls and just kept talking and talking. It’s always nice to meet people who agree that this trip should be more than drinking, and actually experiencing the world. Not blacking out in it.

*The third day I got to go visit an elderly home. I wish we had more opportunity to interact with the people. Then we went to a school that helps teach disabled kids how to create handicrafts in order to sustain a living for themselves. They set out beautiful jewelry that lined the walls that we could buy. Somebody reading this is getting a really meaningful souvenir to me. Could it be you? We’ll see! **Then we went to a school for kids with special educational needs. They did not pass the test to get into high school so this school takes education at different speeds so everyone can learn. It helps give kids confidence. It is an NGO, which means the government does not support it. It is three small rooms and run by three people. We got to interact with kids between 12 and 14. We drew, played tic tac toe (or Oncz? to them ), and played with the cameras. They showed us how to weave gorgeous baskets, paint, and make picture frames. Since I collect art from every country I bought a painting there. It is donation only. By buying their work, it inspires them to create more. The boy who painted my friends art was shocked that some worldly ‘privileged’ American would buy his art- which shows him to continue with his talent. Like I said in another post, 200 rupee is nothing, only 8 American dollars, but they were so grateful. They said how much a difference and help it is. Before we left, my favorite girl ran up to me and Jamie, held our hands and walked down the street with us. Rows and rows of Americans and Mauritian kids holding hands, together as one, walking towards the most beautiful picturesque spot. Jamie turned to me and told me that this would be a memory that would stick out to her on the entire voyage. You know, it definitely will.

*That night I spent time at the waterfront. It’s by far the most updated area of the island, its capital. You take water taxis from the ship to it for 2 dollars. It’s a street with a casino, several restaurants (McDonalds, Pizza Hut, and KFC), and a beautiful shopping mall. I bought several straw bags, a shirt, and what not. Spent the night exchanging pictures with my friends. **Final day. I lucked out. I got a free trip to an adventure park. They drove us into the middle of the island. Something I forgot to mention- it is a huge pilgrimage for the Hindus right now. They believe Shiva carried water from the Ganges to a body of water in Mauritius. They travel by foot- for some, days- to the holy water. Parades line the streets. People dressed in white carrying huge platforms with red and yellow flowers to bring to Shiva. Anyways, we’re driving along the route that the people are walking along. The park is basically a big obstacle course. The entire time your harnessed in along a cable. You walk along bridges suspended in this rainforest. Soon, the bridges lose their railings. Once you work your way up it becomes harder. You swing on ropes from platform to platform. Another is swinging platforms. Then there are two ropes you cling onto and climb down. Then one. Then a zip line. Finally, ugh, four ropes. 2 for your feet, 2 for your hands. Course I laugh at the girl who went in front of me who fell. Your suspended so once you fall you have to work it out. Payback: I fall too. Except I could not get up. I made it to squatting position and fell yet again. Eventually the guy just had to drag my cable… Hahaha… Then we stopped by the beach one last time. Then I stopped along the waterfront for some last minute shopping. That was that.

Coming up: *Final Captain’s Challenge tomorrow night
Sea Olympics on the 8th (I’m on the committee so I helped plan it!)- Winner gets first off the ship in Miami
Mr. SAS on the 9th (also on the committee!)
Above all, INDIA!!!!!!