Not all that long ago drought was plastered across the news. Thousands of homes without water. Reservoirs in desperate need of it. “Rain, rain, go away, come back another day” would have been blaspheme! But the wind has changed. ‘Parasol’ has become ‘parapluie’ and dark pregnant clouds have given birth and we are feeling the effects. Strong and tenacious, their sopping infants descend.
Rain. As a Scot this was a defining part of my child hood. I’d walk to school in it- my clothes would get wet because of it- I’d walk home in it and I’d get ill because of it. I’ll quickly add that I do love my country. However, when I decided to embark on a gap year to Mauritius- “the Paradise Island” I hadn’t quite expected to be met by such wet.
Being in the tropics, I’ve discovered, means expect to be wet often. The rain in Mauritius is savage. Pathetic drops never play a part. Strong and tenacious, hour upon hour it falls flooding the country ‘tigit par tigit.’ It is the kind of rain that knows no fear and no shame and it falls in a country where the drivers possess the same quality. This morning in Rose Hill school girls screamed as buses tore past them- ripping up the water as they went. In Floréal, I walked along the road to work; numerous flashy cars raced through deep puddles beside me, as if they hadn’t noticed I was there.
This morning was special. A film crew came from MBC, some of the children thrived in the spotlight while others withdrew themselves…literally- got up and walked off the ‘set’/ out of the classroom. I was sure that nothing could beat this. Until…
Leave work early? « Mais ena gros la pluie la. Tou ban zenfants bizan parti. » So at 11am this morning copious school vans came to pick the children up and drop them at home. But somehow, three hours later I still find myself here, at school, sitting in an empty classroom. I can hear the rain outside, taunting me, mocking me for my tender age which is no longer, and with each drop I am inclined to accept its importance and necessity within the country. And now I say. Rain, rain, go away…but please feel free to come back another day.
