玲子的航海日記

Rodrigues Island is a little jewel off the northeast coast of Mauritius.It has a population of approximately 38,000 inhabitants originating from several countries of Africa, Europe and Asia. Most people speak Creole and French although English is the official language.They use French and English in administration and on social occasions respectively.This island got its name from the Portuguses ship's pilot,Diego Rodrigues,who discovered it in February 1528.
Rodrigues是模里西斯東北方的一座火山小島,人口現約有近四萬人,居民大多是歐亞非洲後裔。由於模里西斯特殊的歷史背景,法文與英文是其官方與正式場合所使用的語言,而Creole則是地方語言,據當地友人說,Creole是一個先民用語與法語混合的語言。它的名字來自於西元1528年第一位發現這座島的葡萄牙水手,Diego Rodrigues!
I woke up very early in the morning.It was the first time I slept on land since the day I joined Yaima.I longed for a hot shower but...disappointedly...the hot-water heater in this guest house was broken.I decided to have a morning walk in the village.It was Sunday.There were empty streets and all the stores were not open.Where were PEOPLE?
I heard people singing choral from a little white building.They said 96% of people were Christians here.All villagers seemed to gather in the church.

It was very quiet and relaxing in the harbor.I saw people fishing in the dawn.Some fishermen rowed their long shape boat out of the harbor then raised up their simple sail.They were good sailors.People told us that the population on the island mainly makes a living by fishing,farm produce ,handicraft and tourism.I liked its simple and unadorned beauty.
I found a grocery store open on the empty street.The Indian owner told me that there was a good bakery not far from here.It was in a little lane near the library.A long line waited for the fresh bread.I couldn't speak and read French but I was good at my body language.I observed what local people bought and "Baguette"(French stick)seemed to be the number one choice(only 5.6RS).It smelled so comforting and the crust was very crisp.I couldn't wait to share my baguette with Captain and Yuuki.They would love it!. I waved my hands and jumped on the wharf and wished Yuuki could see me and come to pick me up.It was too far from the anchorage of Yaima.When I waited on the warf, I met Captain Ian from Yacht Ocean Spray and Captain Kurt and beautiful Elena from Yacht Nicole.They became our good friends afterward.
Captain Ian took me back by his ironmade dinghy.He looked very tough with long beard."Hiro,please come over my boat and have a chat sometime."said Captain Ian by his heavy South African accent."Sure!We should meet soon and have some drink.Ha!Ha!Ha!"Captain said happily.
"Rinko chan,you are back early.How was your hot shower?"asked Yuuki."No hot water there.I prefer to go back to Yaima.I bought some bread for you."I said.
"Oh,baguette!"Yuuki cheered.Yaima was my home now.