Bambous is a small village towards the west coast of Mauritius. It is where my mother grew up in a family of 8 children, and it is where most of them still are today. Here, life is simple. There are two main roads and river stream which run through this small town. One can find a collection of odd shops, bunker like schools and people relaxing underneath mango trees. Apart from walking, the bicycle is the most common form of transport as most families cannot afford a car. The typical home is a construct of wood, corrugated iron and concrete. Many appear unfinished. This is because their owners are always adding to them, bit by bit, whenever they have enough money to buy the raw materials needed.
Life is simple but beautiful. Almost everyone knows one another. Storekeepers know their clients on a first name basis. After buying groceries at my uncle's store, customers usually stay for a short chat. Everyone has the time. There is no big city rush here.
Looking somewhat out of place in Bambous, people usually ask me who I am. I just say that I'm the grandson of the "Golden Tooth", that's my grandfather's nickname given to him because of his gleaming gold teeth. Everyone knows him and as a consequence, they usually want to get to know me. I find the whole thing rather amusing.
He! Ti garson ledan lor! Kote ou p aller aster la? Vin la, mo pou montrer ou ene zafaire...
The villagers cook with gas (canisters), bought and carried from their local store. They buy most of their ingredients locally, though in some cases they grow vegetables and herbs themselves. Meat is expensive but fresh seafood is relatively cheap by comparison to western standards. People cook simply, but the food in general is absolutely delicious.
When night falls, the relaxed and social atmosphere falls too. This is after all a poor village. The streets slowly empty, shops are locked up tight and guard dogs released. Burglary is becoming more common here, especially now that Mauritius is facing hard economic times. Not many people wander outside past ten.
