Maggie Maps
  • Travel Blog
    • Feedback
  • Map Tools
  • Projects
  • Maggie's Map

Warmth & Welcome in Mauritius

2/3/2015

0 Comments

 
Picture
The delay in Paris was due to cyclones in Mauritius but we left around midnight and headed south on our 11 hour journey. Air Mauritius is not in the top 5 for entertainment options, but I did have the opportunity to daydream every time the reel of beautiful Mauritius scenery appeared on  screen. 

We arrived a few hours later than expected to a gray, rainy day - but it was 50 degrees warmer than Philadelphia... I was not complaining! I was met by a taxi and whisked across the island to my Mauritian home-away-from-home, Guest House Chez Jacques. I noticed some changes along the hour-long journey including a new gas station and a few new developments - buildings grow quickly in Mauritius! I received a warm welcome by Italians #2, 3 &4, and Snow (the dog). It was surreal to be back after one year, but I was excited for the new adventure. It was amazing how many of the locals remembered me from the previous year, and I fell right back into my old routines (which included morning beach visits, mine or roti for lunch, and Mana's or Jacques for dinner!). 

PictureTamarin Public Beach during the cyclone
Within my first week  I managed to set up 2 meetings and reunions with 3 friends I had met the previous year. This may not sound like a lot to busy people, but for Mauritius it was a big deal. These meetings led to bookings to do a presentation at the Rajiv Gandhi Science Center for approximately 200 people and some mapping workshops with high schools on the island - all to happen in the coming weeks! I was also making maps for some clients and preparing for a presentation at the Baltimore Social Innovation Journal Pitch Day, so I spent a great deal of time at my Chez Jacques 'office'. The weather helped my concentration - during  the first 10 days we had torrential downpours, and during the next 5 the ocean and river were so brown that swimming was not really an option! 

I befriended Italian #3, a kite surfer, so on those rare sunny days I joined her at Le Morne peninsula, a popular kite destination and a World Heritage Site at the southwestern tip of the island. It is a gorgeous spot with a dark history. The peninsula was notorious in the early 19th century as a refuge for runaway slaves. After the abolition of slavery in Mauritius, on 1 February 1835 a police expedition traveled there to inform the slaves that they had been freed. However, the purpose of the expedition was misunderstood and the slaves jumped to their deaths from the rock. Since then the date is celebrated by Mauritian creoles as the Commemoration of the Abolition of Slavery.

We also enjoyed Cavadee during this time. Thaipoosam cavadee is a festival celebrated by Mauritians whose ancestors originated from Tamil Nadu, India. Devotees to the cult of Muruga, accompanied by relatives and friends, will gather near river banks for the ablution rituals. Dressed in fuchsia cloth, they will join the officiating priest in prayers and mantra-chanting. Fruits, incense sticks, rose water, milk and clarified butter are offered as oblations around sacrificial fires for self-purification and sanctifying the kavadis. Kavadis are arched bamboo structures supported by wooden rods and richly decorated with fragrant flowers, coconut tree leaves, lime and peacock feathers, and are carried or dragged by each devotee to the temple. Many people offer their flesh to the 'vels' (sharp needles) or pikes that pierce through their cheeks, forehead, or tongue and commits them to silence and honors Lord Muruga. 

This year Italian #3 and I joined 2 Hindu neighbors for the event, so we entered temple and also received the warm milk  offering which is poured into your hands and consumed. Afterwards we shared in the festivities and were given rice and veggies on palm leaves along with a delicious fruit beverage. Everyone was welcome to the festival and we could have enjoyed the full day, but I had a presentation to prepare for... MapGirlz Mauritius was to debut the following day! 
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Picture

    ABOUT

    Combining a passion for travel, the desire to make a difference & a love of maps, MaggieMaps was born.
    ​A place to share stories, resources, and a way to inspire others to realize their travel dreams. 

    PRESS

    Women & GIS, Vol 3: Champions of a Sustainable World 
    Sustain Podcast: What is OpenStreetMap US?
    GeoHipster Interview:​ 'What else can we do but keep going?'
    Jamaica: Nationwide News Network Interview  'Open Data Mapping'
    WYPR: Interview on 'Baltimore's Future' with David Warnock
    Baltimore Social Innovation Journal - Winter 2015
    OpenStreetMap US: "Say Hello to Our Argentina Scholars" ​
    All the Pieces Matter: "Mapping Baltimore's Hidden Wealth – People, Places, Creativity, and Nature"
    FORBES: The Female Solo Traveler: When 'Don't Go' Isn't The Solution
    View my profile on LinkedIn
    Unless otherwise noted, all prose, poetry, maps and photography posted on this blog are Copyright 2013 Maggie Maps

    Archives

    March 2020
    October 2015
    September 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    November 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    February 2013

    Categories

    All
    Conference
    Europe
    FOSS4G
    Packing
    STEM Education
    Travel
    USA

    Blogs I like

    Thematic Mapping
    HackGeo

    RSS Feed

We Would Love to Support Your Next Adventure!


Email

info@boomgeo.com
All rights reserved. Photos and content property of Boomerang Geospatial, LLC.
  • Travel Blog
    • Feedback
  • Map Tools
  • Projects
  • Maggie's Map