April 18: ile Maurice - New Friends

One of the things that intimidates us most about travel is the thought that we will be on our own, that we will be without friends. Passing through those great faceless airports, wandering through empty and often bewildering corridors, searching for the correct gate to board our flights... then arrival, who will be there to meet us in a new place? Will we be able to find a taxi? Where is our hotel? Will someone try to dupe us for money? Often when we travel to a new place we travel with our vulnerability exposed; we are at the mercy of the benevolence of others. More so if we don't speak the language.

Arriving in Mauritius knowing no-one, and not having spoken French since being at school I admit to being a little apprehensive. The first day was the longest day. I caught a bus to Grand Baie, wandered around for a few hours, felt disorientated, got sunburnt, realised my mobile phone didn't work, I missed the counsel of my friends. I wondered to myself why I do this. But only by being laid open so bare to new possibilities can we allow ourselves to experience new ones. Only when we open our own windows is new light able to flow through us.

In just a few short days I had met so many wonderful people, from Mauritius, France and Rodrgiues Island. I had made new friends. I had conversed in French and attempted to learn Kreole. I had fun in being misunderstood and misunderstanding so many things. People had given me food, rides to places, directions, help, advice, their time. And what is a friendship? Is it not just a gesture of intense kindness at a time when we need it most? Though I miss many of my friends when I travel, the new ones I make become part of a bigger concert - and no matter how brief the moment of friendship is, its love lasts within us always.