“All travelers are optimistic…Travel itself is a sort of optimism in action.” (Paul Theroux, The Tao of Travel)
After sailing for 5 days, from India, we reached Port Louis, Mauritius on March 11th. We only had one day there. We’d love to have had a longer visit in this lovely country with hospitable people.
Dora, the Explorer and the DoDo
Where in the World is Mauritius? Maybe Dora would know; but we’d never heard of this small African nation! Our excellent interport lecturer, Dr. Vasser Kaupapaymuthoo, explained that Mauritius is an “ocean state.” He described this beautiful country as consisting of multiple islands and the surrounding ocean. He explained that the oceans are becoming an “imperialism battleground.” That is, large nations want to conquer the oceans. He said, “90% of world commerce goes through the oceans and if you control the oceans, you control commerce.”
In many ways, Mauritius seems to be a microcosm of the world’s history. We are learning in our Global Studies class about the historic legacy of imperialism and colonization, as primary influences in the globe. Generally, these phenomena leave a legacy of injustice and inequality. Dominant world powers invade nations to pillage local resources, marginalize indigenous peoples, and ravage the land—and, we are learning, ravaging the ocean too! (Of course, the dominant powers call this “discovery”, “settlement,” and even “development.”)
In Mauritius, the impact of imperialism is symbolized in the loss of the dodo bird. This cool-looking creature is the first known example of extinction caused by human behavior. The Dutch, who invaded this island, hunted this bird into extinction. The world is a sadder place, because the Dodo is gone! Boo! Imperialism!
Butt, Can the Sea Dragons Save the Planet?
The Dodo is gone, but can we learn our lessons, live in peace, and save the planet? We’re trying to do our part. Mauritius is facing significant environmental challenges. Semester at Sea (SAS) offered several field trips that featured environmental interventions. Larry was one of several trip liaisons for one experience. Approximately 80 of us traveled by bus to nearby Flec and Flac, where we participated in a beach clean-up, alongside a group, Global Shapers. This local organization is a network of young people “driving dialogue, action, and change related to environmental issues.”
We were divided into teams and assigned particular debris items to collect. By the (bad) luck of the draw (pun!), we were assigned to collect cigarette butts. Ugh! You wouldn’t believe how many butts we found on that beach! We dubbed our team, the Sea Dragons, with the motto of “No Butts left Behind.” In the context of such a huge issue, our contribution was relatively meager. But, hopefully, it sparked (Punny!) the motivation in participants to continue this kind of awareness and action. A darling pre-schooler from Norway insisted on joining our endeavor.
After the clean-up and a box lunch picnic, we had a couple of hours to enjoy the beautiful (and, now, a bit cleaner) beach. Then, we went to a nearby university where we viewed a film, Antiplastik, made by a local organization, Enn Locean Vivab. The film was similar to the powerful documentary, Blue, which we saw during the first phase of the voyage; but, with a focus on Mauritius’ environmental issues. We also had a delightful demonstration by the multi-talented film-maker of various musical instruments he fashions out of waste (such as PVC pipes, cardboard, plastic, etc.)
Mauritius: A Model
No, the Sea Dragons, alone, cannot save the planet and create peace—not even with the help of energetic Norwegian pre-schoolers. However, Mauritius is a model for how to try. With 1.2 million inhabitants, Mauritius has one of the highest population densities in the world. Various religious groups seem to be co-existing relatively peaceful. It’s multi-ethnic, multi-cultural, and multi-lingual—there is no “official language”; it’s truly Creole. As a “welfare state,” health care and education are free. And, we saw that they are proactively striving for environmental health.
March 12th marked the Mauritius Independence Day (50 years since gaining independence from Great Britain). The pride in their country, without toxic nationalistic fervor, seems apparent. The Global Shapers organization goes into schools to educate and engage children. In conversation with one of the leaders, she shared that she feels grateful to live where she does. She elaborated that she tells the students how fortunate they are to live in beautiful Mauritius and that they have the responsibility to protect and sustain that beauty.
Traveling the globe, we share that sentiment and echo that lesson. Experiences like Mauritius foster an optimism that SAS Sea Dragons, Norwegian pre-schoolers, Global Shapers, and all of us, together, can save the planet and live in peace. May we be more like the best of Mauritius.
