I’ve been very quiet on and off during the past few weeks and months due to many different reasons. A part of it because I’ve lost a bit of my mojo since the 2020 lock-down and low and behold here we are one year later stuck indoors once more. An excuse not to leave home, one that I both like and dislike. I hate it because it keeps me from getting out and experiencing life and hanging with my friends but I love it because it gives me even more time to reflect on life. Something that I feel very prone to do these days. Perhaps it is something that comes with growing older, kids getting ready to spread their wings and life being upside down in general. Who knows?
Today I’m wanting to share some thrilling news. Behind the scenes the cogs of life have been turning relentlessly so these past months and wrought about massive changes in our family’s lives. Not all bad changes, sad ones but also hugely exciting changes.
As life goes and with covid19 crossing borders, closing down countries, destroying life as we know it and causing us all to adapt to a new normal this past year, it has once more swept through Mauritius and bringing with it the winds of change.
We heard last week that our awesome Mauritius adventures will be coming to an end in the near future. Sooner rather than later if the newly ordered lockdown doesn’t get extended at some point. It did put a tiny spanner in the works re our traveling back to SA but we are calm and accepting that it is what it is.
We are a mess of mixed feelings at this point because although we knew that this was never going to be a forever home option for us we are super sad to leave our amazing group of friends behind. One friend likens what is happening to being voted off the island in ‘Survivor’, which rings slightly true as in the short time we’ve been here we’ve seen many people come and go, many dreams shrivel up and die and in the current economy caused by covid19 and lockdowns its caused even more people to leave the island. We’re more fortunate than most during these trying times as we’re leaving because hubby’s been offered a better job back in SA with his current employers who decided to call it quits on the island and recall the boat. The truth is that the Island will take a very long time to recover from the devastating effects of the pandemic.
Having said that, above all we will miss the lifestyle although those who know me well knows that notwithstanding the fact that I love the lifestyle here I’ve been chafing at the restrictions of island life somewhat since day one. And I’ve never been scared to admit to it.
Being here as a dependent and not being able to work has been a sore point with me the last year or two. It was exceptionally difficult coming from an extremely busy lifestyle to having to find something productive to do and keep busy every day. Some days it was hell on earth but it got a tad easier as I settled in and made friends. Settling in wasn’t easy either. There were good days and bad days but fortunately the good ones outweighed the bad because being who I am I tend to go out and look for life instead of waiting for it to find me. I’ve long learned that it is the only way to survive in a strange and sometimes even hostile environment where everything is different to what you are used to. The language, the food, the houses and even the people.
Nevertheless, despite all the ups and downs of finding my feet and settling into a new life on the island, I can truthfully say that I am satisfied that I have made each and every effort to embrace island life and the adventures it brought with my whole being. I explored, I met, I tasted, I shopped, I lived, I stood in wonder, I photographed and experienced the pulse of this island like I’ve lived here forever.
In the last 2 and a half years I have amassed a group of friends and acquaintances that has both been my lifeline and saving grace. We’ve done coffee mornings, drinks evenings and even an outing or two. Out of this big group came a smaller tighter circle of friends that have been at my side through tears and tribulations. We’ve done painting classes, pottery, belly dancing, supping, swimming, walking, shopping, coffeeing and so much more I cannot even name it all. This is my heartbreak right here. The people I have to leave behind. But such is our life. I’m grateful for social media, Whatsapp and more to keep in touch in future. Some bonds will last forever and some friendships will never be lost.
At the moment our family is still deciding where we want to settle but we what we do know is that we will be in Cape Town for at least the first 2 or 3 months to catch our breath and decide the way forward after more than two years of island life. The children are overjoyed at the prospect of seeing their friends and not being confined on a rock in the middle of the ocean. Who can blame them. Life here has impacted hard on them not being able to work for pocket money and not having many friends. I am so happy that suddenly the air is bristling with opportunities once more.
This is the start of a brand-new adventure and we are looking forward to what the future will bring. I’m exicited to see our extended families and old friends that we’ve not seen in some time. I’m excited for getting my furniture and belongings out of storage and once more sleeping in my own bed vs the one that belongs to our furnished rental. I’m looking forward to hugging my mom and dad and attending my youngest sister’s wedding end of May if all goes well.
The past 2 years have been one long incredible adventure, we’ve learnt a lot, experienced so much and lived what is a dream for many others. It’s changed us I dare say. This is not the end of the line, rather a new beginning. As a fisherman’s wife I can say that life sure is everything else but NEVER boring!
For those wondering what will become of my blog. The good news is that it will go on. I’m not quite sure in which format, as this change was so sudden but I’m slowly formulating the way forward so I hope that you will still follow my life’s journey and adventures in the months and years to come. I’m super grateful for each and every person that has followed my stories and posts since the beginning and I hope to continue contributing at least a bit of a smile or feel good moment to your lives.
In the weeks to come I’ll be sharing our journey in packing up our lives once …..it will get interesting to say the least. Hubby and the X-man will be taking the boat across to SA which will take at least 2 weeks of sailing and this story has a twist as they have to take our island cats on their journey whilst the girl-child and I will be preparing to fly out as soon as outbound flights are allowed. So much to do in the coming weeks so perhaps lock-down has come at exactly the right time. Sometimes these things happen with a reason.
On that note. This is not farewell but just a goodbye. One never knows whether we will return one day as one never knows what the future holds. It was an awesome time whilst it lasted and we will forever treasure this experience and the memories with it.
www.karolien-thereslifeafterkids.com
*photo my own