Last night my husband and I went out to dinner with a few of his work colleagues to celebrate our marriage. It was a really nice chance to meet a few of the people that he works with and their wives. Both wives were really beautiful ladies and they were very sweet as well.
Because my Mauritian is a lawyer, it follows that out of 7 people at the table, 5 were also lawyers. That makes for some funny stories, and better yet, they all speak English fluently. My first dinner party where I could actually communicate. It was so wonderfully refreshing...
At any rate, we met in Trianon to eat at the Imperial China Restaurant. First, I must say that this is a nice place. It's not over the top fancy shmancy, but it's got a nice atmosphere, it's comfortable and professional ,and the tables aren't all bunched together. We sat down and enjoyed our meal together... We had some chicken and cream corn soup, some calamari and some fried fish, some cashew chicken (real cashew chicken, not Springfield MO cashew chicken), steamed fish and a venison dish that was absolutely fabulous. I've never had venison that tasted that good. Toward the end of our meal we all heard a "crack" and the lights were out. The electricity in the building had gone. The waiters and waitresses frantically rushed around until everyone had a candle at their table. It was an unplanned candlelight dinner. Amusingly enough, everyone also pulled out their cell phones to use as flashlights.
The bad part about this experience is that when the electricity goes, so does the air conditioning and on the second floor of a building, in a restaurant, it heats up quick... Our waitress kept asking us to be patient... Poor girl. We waited for what I would guess to be about 30 minutes. Each of us carefully picking through our food in the dark.
When it came time to pay the bill, the electricity was still not on. This meant that the waitress had to try to add up our ticket the old fashioned way. Now, let's not forget that I was at a table with lawyers, and so during this excercise the negotiating began. In the end, they negoitated us a 10% discount and a free coffee. Not too shabby I'd say.
Before we left, the electricity did come back on and we were able to have our coffee in a lighted room. I had a fun time and there was no harm done (except for the customer who ate a fish bone in the dark and tried to ask for a 50% discount... Good luck Mr.).
The reason for this blackout was unknown although losing electricity in Mauritius isn't a completely unheard of phenomenon, especially during cyclone season. I suppose it's a good reminder to pick up some candles next time I am at the store and also a good memory to keep in my head. :-)
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Monday, January 4, 2010
A new year a new way
So, this year I was in Mauritius for New Year's celebrations... Last year I was able to ring in the new year in London with my friend Sarah. Although we made it an early night and were at home when the clock chimed 12, it was interesting to be in a new place. It somehow made the new year more exciting. This year again I found myself in a new place.
My husband only had to work half-day on New Year's Eve and after running some errands, he arrived home early. We had a little snack together and he let me finish my work day. We spent the evening having dinner with his parents at their house and then returned home. By the time we got home, we were both pretty tired, so it didn't take us long to crawl into bed. Don't worry though, there's no way we could have missed the New Year...
There is a custom in Mauritius that at midnight you light fire crackers to blow away the devil and bring peace to your home in the coming year. It comes from an older superstition, but people here cling very tightly to these old superstitions. Because of this, at midnight I was awakened by the pop, pop, pop of all of our neighbors lighting their fireworks. When you live in concrete buildings with no insulation, let me tell you, it was LOUD! It sounded like a war was going on outside the bedroom. A few moments later the unmistakable smell of gun powder wafted through the house and another new year had come and gone. I nudged my husband, who was still asleep, and wished him a Happy New Year. We shared a brief kiss and a cuddle and then he was sawing logs again. :-)
The following day, after going to church and taking a little nap, my husband and I spent the day cleaning the house and organizing all of the things that had left to be organized. We wanted to leave the rest of the weekend open for relaxation and having fun. We ended the evening with a movie (Disney's "Robin Hood" in case you were wondering) and then off to bed.
Saturday when we got up and out of the house, I noticed that the little papers from the fireworks were everywhere still and that no one had cleaned them up. My husband told me that because of the superstition, if you sweep away the fireworks mess, you also sweep away the protection. He also said that many people don't sweep their houses on New Year's day for the same reason. Interesting...
Another interesting fact is that here New Year's lasts the entire week. For many businesses and laborers, they continue to celebrate and have time off work to enjoy the New Year. Hair dressers, mechanics, plumbers, electricians, etc all take the extra time off for celebration. Good luck getting anything done. :-)
We rounded out our holiday weekend with a picnic at the national forest and an ice cream on the beach. (which was PACKED... absolutely chocka block full)
It was a good new year and not one I will be forgetting anytime soon.
My husband only had to work half-day on New Year's Eve and after running some errands, he arrived home early. We had a little snack together and he let me finish my work day. We spent the evening having dinner with his parents at their house and then returned home. By the time we got home, we were both pretty tired, so it didn't take us long to crawl into bed. Don't worry though, there's no way we could have missed the New Year...
There is a custom in Mauritius that at midnight you light fire crackers to blow away the devil and bring peace to your home in the coming year. It comes from an older superstition, but people here cling very tightly to these old superstitions. Because of this, at midnight I was awakened by the pop, pop, pop of all of our neighbors lighting their fireworks. When you live in concrete buildings with no insulation, let me tell you, it was LOUD! It sounded like a war was going on outside the bedroom. A few moments later the unmistakable smell of gun powder wafted through the house and another new year had come and gone. I nudged my husband, who was still asleep, and wished him a Happy New Year. We shared a brief kiss and a cuddle and then he was sawing logs again. :-)
The following day, after going to church and taking a little nap, my husband and I spent the day cleaning the house and organizing all of the things that had left to be organized. We wanted to leave the rest of the weekend open for relaxation and having fun. We ended the evening with a movie (Disney's "Robin Hood" in case you were wondering) and then off to bed.
Saturday when we got up and out of the house, I noticed that the little papers from the fireworks were everywhere still and that no one had cleaned them up. My husband told me that because of the superstition, if you sweep away the fireworks mess, you also sweep away the protection. He also said that many people don't sweep their houses on New Year's day for the same reason. Interesting...
Another interesting fact is that here New Year's lasts the entire week. For many businesses and laborers, they continue to celebrate and have time off work to enjoy the New Year. Hair dressers, mechanics, plumbers, electricians, etc all take the extra time off for celebration. Good luck getting anything done. :-)
We rounded out our holiday weekend with a picnic at the national forest and an ice cream on the beach. (which was PACKED... absolutely chocka block full)
It was a good new year and not one I will be forgetting anytime soon.
Monday, December 28, 2009
The cost of convenience
I have discovered one thing about Mauritius so far... It's not America. :-) Profound, I know.
This Christmas I took up the task of cooking a traditional American Christmas dinner in another country. Now, last year, I did this to a certain degree in England, but it's certainly not the same task in Mauritius. There are so many ingredients that are readily available in America that simply aren't sitting on the shelf of my local grocery store. Examples you say? Cream of anything soup in a can. Now, they do have cream of chicken soup, but it's a dried soup in an envelope. Not quite the same thing. Other examples? Certain seasonings like sage and thyme. There is certainly no "Stove Top" stuffing on the shelf. No canned cranberries... No "Pillsbury" crescent rolls in the whole place. Hmm... What's a girl to do? As it turns out, I was able to find another stuffing mix made by the lovely Paxo, and I am very thankful to them for this. I bought rolls to avoid any yeast disasters, and I used yogurt to give a creamy texture to my dried soup mix... In the end, it was a really yummy dinner complete with lemon pepper chicken (the first chicken I have ever baked in my life) and creamy mashed potatoes with chives.
I realized after this experience and a week of cooking meals in Mauritius, that I am simply a lazy cook. I am used to buying packets and mixes and already made ingredients that I simply reheat and voila. Here these things simply don't exist. Want Mexican? You have to mix your own taco seasoning and your own tortillas. Want spaghetti? You must make your own marinara (which I am proud to say I have mastered already). Things just aren't as "convenient" here... Food takes time. Maybe that's why they drink so much tea here... You have to fill up on something.
Now, please don't get the wrong impression. There are larger supermarkets in other places on the island. I have a feeling that a place called "Shoprite Hyper" will be one of my new favorite places... But these types of stores are much farther away and generally are more expensive than the local "Winners" supermarket. My husband will likely be taking me on dates to our fancy up class supermarket so that I can get some of my lazy conveniences, but as a whole things are taking a different shape here.
On one hand, I am proud of myself and the ingenuity I have come up with already. I am also proud of the good cooking I have been doing. (At least I think it's good). I even made a yummy curry the other night... I guess I just realize what a spoiled American I am.
I have been reading a book set in the 1800's recently and I can't help but be enticed by the "simple life". Working with your hands from sunup to sundown to supply your basic subsistence. There is something so romantic about it, at least in books, but now that I can see a bit more clearly how that really looks, I think I'll keep my washing machine and electric oven. Not to mention, the microwave we are planning to buy on Saturday. :-)
For you Americans reading this blog, hug your appliances. Eat some hamburger helper for me and thank people like Betty Crocker, Uncle Ben, Chef Boyardee, and Aunt Jemima. Convenience never tasted so good.
This Christmas I took up the task of cooking a traditional American Christmas dinner in another country. Now, last year, I did this to a certain degree in England, but it's certainly not the same task in Mauritius. There are so many ingredients that are readily available in America that simply aren't sitting on the shelf of my local grocery store. Examples you say? Cream of anything soup in a can. Now, they do have cream of chicken soup, but it's a dried soup in an envelope. Not quite the same thing. Other examples? Certain seasonings like sage and thyme. There is certainly no "Stove Top" stuffing on the shelf. No canned cranberries... No "Pillsbury" crescent rolls in the whole place. Hmm... What's a girl to do? As it turns out, I was able to find another stuffing mix made by the lovely Paxo, and I am very thankful to them for this. I bought rolls to avoid any yeast disasters, and I used yogurt to give a creamy texture to my dried soup mix... In the end, it was a really yummy dinner complete with lemon pepper chicken (the first chicken I have ever baked in my life) and creamy mashed potatoes with chives.
I realized after this experience and a week of cooking meals in Mauritius, that I am simply a lazy cook. I am used to buying packets and mixes and already made ingredients that I simply reheat and voila. Here these things simply don't exist. Want Mexican? You have to mix your own taco seasoning and your own tortillas. Want spaghetti? You must make your own marinara (which I am proud to say I have mastered already). Things just aren't as "convenient" here... Food takes time. Maybe that's why they drink so much tea here... You have to fill up on something.
Now, please don't get the wrong impression. There are larger supermarkets in other places on the island. I have a feeling that a place called "Shoprite Hyper" will be one of my new favorite places... But these types of stores are much farther away and generally are more expensive than the local "Winners" supermarket. My husband will likely be taking me on dates to our fancy up class supermarket so that I can get some of my lazy conveniences, but as a whole things are taking a different shape here.
On one hand, I am proud of myself and the ingenuity I have come up with already. I am also proud of the good cooking I have been doing. (At least I think it's good). I even made a yummy curry the other night... I guess I just realize what a spoiled American I am.
I have been reading a book set in the 1800's recently and I can't help but be enticed by the "simple life". Working with your hands from sunup to sundown to supply your basic subsistence. There is something so romantic about it, at least in books, but now that I can see a bit more clearly how that really looks, I think I'll keep my washing machine and electric oven. Not to mention, the microwave we are planning to buy on Saturday. :-)
For you Americans reading this blog, hug your appliances. Eat some hamburger helper for me and thank people like Betty Crocker, Uncle Ben, Chef Boyardee, and Aunt Jemima. Convenience never tasted so good.
Monday, December 21, 2009
A long time coming
I know that it's been forever since I have written. What can I say? Getting married got me a little busy. Now the dust is beginning to settle in my new home. I suppose I'm gonna try to do this blogging thing more regularly. Perhaps I can get some motivation from fellow bloggers who do a better job. In fact, I am recently inspired by the movie, "Julie and Julia" that I watched on the plane ride here. In addition, I stumbled across the blog of another expat living in Mauritius. She is from Minnesota and though I know nothing about her, I enjoy reading what she has to say. I can certainly understand her "American" view of things. :-)
With that said, here I go... So far, we have mostly gotten our apartment settled. There are still a few small things here and there, but nothing we can't live without... We also have the ever present list of "like to haves". These are the things we can't justify spending money on right now, but we'll keep them on the list until we either decide we truly don't need them, or simply don't want them anymore. Only the most lucky items will ultimately be acquired...
Right now I am working from the hubby's parents house. It will take a couple of weeks to get the phone and Internet lines transferred to our flat. The fact that it's Christmas time doesn't help either, because people will be on holiday. Not to mention speed in customer service isn't a priority here, so they will get to it when they get to it... Tonight we are going to discuss acquiring mobile broadband to allow me to work from home sooner and also to keep as a back up for days when the electricity goes out. No electricity = no modem = no internet. Ah, the joys of island living.
In an unrelated topic, Christmas is on Friday. How can that be? I'm wearing shorts and flip flops... I guess the closest thing to a White Christmas that I will be having will be the one I share with Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye. I won't be eating turkey or stuffing, likely instead I will be eating curry or biryani... But I am convinced that after Jesus, I've gotten the best gift... a truly wonderful husband. I don't mind giving up snow and turkey if it means being with someone who truly loves me. I wouldn't trade him for all the stuffing or crescent rolls in the world. :-)
Okay... the randomness is over. Merry Christmas
With that said, here I go... So far, we have mostly gotten our apartment settled. There are still a few small things here and there, but nothing we can't live without... We also have the ever present list of "like to haves". These are the things we can't justify spending money on right now, but we'll keep them on the list until we either decide we truly don't need them, or simply don't want them anymore. Only the most lucky items will ultimately be acquired...
Right now I am working from the hubby's parents house. It will take a couple of weeks to get the phone and Internet lines transferred to our flat. The fact that it's Christmas time doesn't help either, because people will be on holiday. Not to mention speed in customer service isn't a priority here, so they will get to it when they get to it... Tonight we are going to discuss acquiring mobile broadband to allow me to work from home sooner and also to keep as a back up for days when the electricity goes out. No electricity = no modem = no internet. Ah, the joys of island living.
In an unrelated topic, Christmas is on Friday. How can that be? I'm wearing shorts and flip flops... I guess the closest thing to a White Christmas that I will be having will be the one I share with Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye. I won't be eating turkey or stuffing, likely instead I will be eating curry or biryani... But I am convinced that after Jesus, I've gotten the best gift... a truly wonderful husband. I don't mind giving up snow and turkey if it means being with someone who truly loves me. I wouldn't trade him for all the stuffing or crescent rolls in the world. :-)
Okay... the randomness is over. Merry Christmas
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
I know... I am terrible at this blogging thing
So, life has been busy and I have been a bad blogger...
Lots has happened since I last wrote.
I have been to Mauritius to see my future home and meet the future in-laws. I have celebrated a birthday. I have seen "Oliver" with Rowan Atkinson (Mr. Bean) staring as Fagin with my mom and brother. I have queued at Wimbledon, and watch a men's doubles match. I have ordered a wedding dress and invitations for the big day... Wow, that's a lot of good stuff.
I have also struggled with being here in London, when everything I love is somewhere else. Out of this struggle, the Lord has shown me several things. The one thing that stands out concerns the fruit of the Spirit. If someone were to characterize your life, would they use words like, Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, and Self-Control? I am not talking about your friends or the people that are easy to be with... I am talking about your co-workers, your families, and the people who really get under your skin. What would they say? I have to admit that if I am honest the words they would use would probably be something along the lines of moody, impatient, frustrated, and quick tempered. That is not good fruit.
So... what kind of fruit are you producing?
Lots has happened since I last wrote.
I have been to Mauritius to see my future home and meet the future in-laws. I have celebrated a birthday. I have seen "Oliver" with Rowan Atkinson (Mr. Bean) staring as Fagin with my mom and brother. I have queued at Wimbledon, and watch a men's doubles match. I have ordered a wedding dress and invitations for the big day... Wow, that's a lot of good stuff.
I have also struggled with being here in London, when everything I love is somewhere else. Out of this struggle, the Lord has shown me several things. The one thing that stands out concerns the fruit of the Spirit. If someone were to characterize your life, would they use words like, Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, and Self-Control? I am not talking about your friends or the people that are easy to be with... I am talking about your co-workers, your families, and the people who really get under your skin. What would they say? I have to admit that if I am honest the words they would use would probably be something along the lines of moody, impatient, frustrated, and quick tempered. That is not good fruit.
So... what kind of fruit are you producing?
Friday, March 20, 2009
Driving...
In just 11 days, I will be packing up and making a trip back to the U.S. There are several things that I am looking forward to about this trip... In fact, I was just day dreaming about them today. A suprising thing to you may be that I am really looking foward to driving...
Because I have been here in England for a year now, I have found myself living without a car for about a year now... I have had the opportunity to drive on my two prior visits home and I had about a week that I drove here in England. Unfortunately, when my colleague went back to the U.S. the car became an un-necessary expense. Fair enough...
Anyway- sitting here today at work, daydreaming about my trip, I began to think of driving with the windows down and the spring air filling the car... listening to the radio and letting my hair go wild. I REALLY miss that. Most trains don't have windows and the windows that they do have are not condusive to this kind of feeling... I've been missing out. :)
Now my mind is continuing... the last time I road in a car was January when Yvan rented a car for us... before that, I literally can't remember. Car rides are so few and far between that I don't know... For a country like the U.S. that has mostly been built around the automobile, this may be hard to imagine, but for a country like England that was primarily built before cars, this is not an unusual thought...
So finally, I come round full circle and think again about my trip home...
A few things I am really looking forward to:
Seeing family and friends (including meeting Baby Girl Harless)
Eating Mexican food
Shopping at Target
Sonic drinks
American T.V.
Knowing that when I come back I only have 11 days before leaving for Mauritius
Taking care of my taxes (getting my return processed)
Finding people who would not pronounce Toucester the same way we pronounce "toaster"
And you got it... driving :)
Because I have been here in England for a year now, I have found myself living without a car for about a year now... I have had the opportunity to drive on my two prior visits home and I had about a week that I drove here in England. Unfortunately, when my colleague went back to the U.S. the car became an un-necessary expense. Fair enough...
Anyway- sitting here today at work, daydreaming about my trip, I began to think of driving with the windows down and the spring air filling the car... listening to the radio and letting my hair go wild. I REALLY miss that. Most trains don't have windows and the windows that they do have are not condusive to this kind of feeling... I've been missing out. :)
Now my mind is continuing... the last time I road in a car was January when Yvan rented a car for us... before that, I literally can't remember. Car rides are so few and far between that I don't know... For a country like the U.S. that has mostly been built around the automobile, this may be hard to imagine, but for a country like England that was primarily built before cars, this is not an unusual thought...
So finally, I come round full circle and think again about my trip home...
A few things I am really looking forward to:
Seeing family and friends (including meeting Baby Girl Harless)
Eating Mexican food
Shopping at Target
Sonic drinks
American T.V.
Knowing that when I come back I only have 11 days before leaving for Mauritius
Taking care of my taxes (getting my return processed)
Finding people who would not pronounce Toucester the same way we pronounce "toaster"
And you got it... driving :)
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Swan Lake
I am sorry. I know it has been a while since I have written. Life for the past few weeks has been quite busy.
Spring is coming to England and it is welcome change. The sun is rising earlier and staying out later. Not that you really get to see the sun, due to the clouds, but at least there is light in the sky... Everywhere you go, there are daffodils and other flowers blooming. I noticed this morning that even some of the flowering trees are beginning to bloom. It doesn't get as cold here as I am used to, so the grass stays green all winter long and most flowers are safe to stay outside. If there is frost, it's usually not too heavy. At any rate, I am enjoying the changing of the season and am thankful that the longer days of summer are on their way.
Last night, I was able to see the Royal Ballet present Swan Lake. I found a ticket online for 10 pounds and decided that I could not pass up the opportunity... I knew in advance that the ticket would be for a standing only seat and that the view wouldn't be very good. Despite these things, it was worth going. The music and dancing were wonderful. I am really thankful for the opportunities I have had to see live productions of some of my favorite things...
I am also thankful that the Lord has given me the personality that he has. I don't mind doing things by myself... Last night I left work and had a nice dinner before the ballet and then attended the event alone. A lot of people would quickly pass up the option of doing these kinds of things knowing that they had to do them solo, but I am thankful for a my adventurous disposition that doesn't mind trying something new. I think that Lord has really blessed me by letting me do some of these things here in England.
Well, I guess that's all. I could easily sum up the rest of my life by saying three words, work, reading and commuting. They seem to be how I spend the bulk of my time. Hope things are going well in your neck of the woods.
Spring is coming to England and it is welcome change. The sun is rising earlier and staying out later. Not that you really get to see the sun, due to the clouds, but at least there is light in the sky... Everywhere you go, there are daffodils and other flowers blooming. I noticed this morning that even some of the flowering trees are beginning to bloom. It doesn't get as cold here as I am used to, so the grass stays green all winter long and most flowers are safe to stay outside. If there is frost, it's usually not too heavy. At any rate, I am enjoying the changing of the season and am thankful that the longer days of summer are on their way.
Last night, I was able to see the Royal Ballet present Swan Lake. I found a ticket online for 10 pounds and decided that I could not pass up the opportunity... I knew in advance that the ticket would be for a standing only seat and that the view wouldn't be very good. Despite these things, it was worth going. The music and dancing were wonderful. I am really thankful for the opportunities I have had to see live productions of some of my favorite things...
I am also thankful that the Lord has given me the personality that he has. I don't mind doing things by myself... Last night I left work and had a nice dinner before the ballet and then attended the event alone. A lot of people would quickly pass up the option of doing these kinds of things knowing that they had to do them solo, but I am thankful for a my adventurous disposition that doesn't mind trying something new. I think that Lord has really blessed me by letting me do some of these things here in England.
Well, I guess that's all. I could easily sum up the rest of my life by saying three words, work, reading and commuting. They seem to be how I spend the bulk of my time. Hope things are going well in your neck of the woods.
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