Fatal Flooding in Port Louis

Mauritius experienced flash flooding Saturday March 30th, and it was especially severe and deadly in the capital city, Port Louis.  In fact, the worst flooding was in the area of the U.S. Embassy building.  A subterranean pedestrian tunnel that we use almost daily filled with floodwater quickly and killed six persons who were trapped there.  The nation is in shock and mourning; the Prime Minister has declared Monday a national day of mourning and public holiday.

Shelly, David, and our visiting friends Lynn and Per are fine.  We had driven through the capital to attend a social event just about an hour before the worst flooding, and coming home took a circuitous route to avoid the floods.  We are fine.  So, if, as we expect, there is international news about the tragedy in Mauritius, please know that we are fine, and we will be working with the local government officials to help where we can.

And please know we are wishing you and yours a Happy Easter.  

Colored People

Holi is one of Hindu's funnest festivals, though it doesn't feel very "religious." Celebrating the beginning of spring.   Join in any random group of merry-makers in the village, and you will soon find yourself covered with colored powder from head to toe.  Holi has a long history in Hindu---see it here.  Shelly and I had a great afternoon of laughter and color, followed by an evening of showers and scrubbing!  Happy Holi!

David and friend Denon

Can you find Shelly in this picture?

Wishing Dinesh & Son a Happy Holi

Good, clean fun

Shelly's Flowers

A few days after her Dad's 95th birthday anniversary, a few days before our wedding anniversary, and several days before her Mom went to sleep one last time, Shelly went around the yard and neighborhood collecting flowers . . . photographic ones.  She found a beautiful collection, wouldn't you agree?

Glendora at Eighty Eight

Glendora Nelson Gaunt
July 28, 1924-March 18, 2013

We are mourning the sudden passing of Shelly and Lindalee's mom, Glendora Gaunt.  Somewhere in the night between St. Patrick's Day and the following dawn, Glen went to sleep and didn't wake up.  She was 88, living independently, and in good health.  She joins her beloved husband, Ike, who passed away in 2000.  Glendora loved her family and had a special place in her heart (and her cookie jar) for her grandchildren and great grandchildren.  Born in Ft. Wayne, Indiana, she and Ike moved to New Mexico in 1949.  She was a great cook, wonderful homemaker, and avid dancer.  After Ike died, she volunteered at Comanche Elementary School, helping kids with reading.  While we mourn her loss, we cannot help but be relieved that her passing was peaceful.  There is truth in the famous Kenny Rogers' lyric " . . . the best you can hope for is to die in your sleep".  Sadly, Lawrence Welk show re-runs and this blog have lost their most loyal fan.  Glendora's services are pending.

David and Shelly at Twenty Seven

Can you believe we've been married 27 years? And we're still acting like kids!

Can you believe this is our life???  I love you!

Happy Anniversary, my love!

Bob and Cissie at Sixty

The dashing First Lieutenant and the cute Stephens College coed meet at dusk at a Junction City, KS nightspot---a whirlwind romance ensues, love grows, and by March 15th, 1953 they are married in the historic Fort Riley chapel.  The stuff of dreams and romantic novels.  Love grows.  For the next 8 years, they have homes in Georgia, Monterrey, Kansas, Iran, Tacoma, San Francisco, and France . . . their love brings a new baby every few years.  More moves . . . to DC, Kansas, and New Mexico.  Babies grow up and leave the nest.  The veteran Lieutenant Colonel and his vivacious bride find more love staying in one home in one place.  More love happens.  Their babies have babies, and grandparents have nothing but love for the family they started . . . sixty years ago today.   Amazing what love can do.  We miss them terribly, and wish they were here to celebrate their 60th anniversary.  Their love for each other and the family they created endures.  We love you, Bob and Cissie, and we celebrate your anniversary and your love today!

Ike at Ninety Five

We were out of Internet service earlier this week, but that did not keep us from remembering Shelly's dad, Ike Gaunt, on what would have been his 95th birthday last Tuesday.  Ike would have loved living where we now live, on the coast, where fishermen gather on the rocks outside our lagoon every afternoon.  He would have been out there casting and casting, and asking anyone there "doin' any good?"  Ike loved fishing, and he loved his wife and family, and certainly not in that order . . .   We miss him today like the day we lost him in 2000.  But, he is ever present in our memory, our thoughts, and prayers.  Happy birthday anniversary, Ike!

Maha Shivratree Celebration

The devotees returned to their villages today from their round trip 80 mile walk to Ganga Talao, the sacred lake to collect water for tomorrow's celebration to honor Lord Shiva.  It was quite a parade in our neighboring town of Triolet, and we were out to greet the returning pilgrims and take pictures.  The large floats and depictions of Shiva and other Dieties were impressive, particularly knowing they had been carried on shoulders for several days and many miles. The devotion and sacrifice shown by these believers is, pardon the phrase, unbelievable.

In Honor of Lord Shiva

Walking 35 miles to the lake, then back

Called Maha Shivratee, it is one of the most important celebrations of the Hindu calendar.  It is a colorful, spiritual time that can involve walking up to 80 miles to and from the holy lake in the southern part of Mauritius.  Alternately called Grand Bassin or Ganga Talao, according to legend, the lake is connected by an underground river to the Ganges in India.  Dozens of thousands of pilgrims walk for days to reach the lake, collect some water, and return to their temples and towns all over the country. Many carry large, highly decorated floats (called kovils or kowels) with bright cloth, lights, and depictions of deities.  The pilgrims do this to honor Lord Shiva, one of the most important of the Hindu deities.  Sunday, March 10 is the Maha Shivratee holiday this year, and devotees will honor Lord Shiva by pouring their sacred lake water on his image at homes and temples.      

Carrying Kovils on the road to the holy lake

Homemade floats honoring deities

At the lake, Shiva's statue

David at a prayer stand at
sacred lake Ganga Talao

Lord Shiva statue at Ganga Talao

Zipline Adventures

Ziplining Group

We spent Saturday on a ziplining trip to a river valley in southern Mauritius.  Wow!  Was it fun! Partway through we went swimming under a beautiful waterfall. We zipped and zipped, swam and swam along with friends from work. We had a great time, even though it was on and off rainy, but the rain did not bother us at all.  Zippity do dah, my oh my, what a beautiful day!

Shelly, Fan of Fan Coral

We went scuba diving in a new place on the east coast of Mauritius last month, and were introduced to a "Fan Coral Forest"  Beautiful large fans, some as big as us (and that's BIG).  Shelly and I were very careful to not touch or let any of our equipment touch these gorgeous, yet delicate, formations.  Here's more information on fan coral. Another great day of discovery in the deep!

Happy Birthday, Cissie!

Mom was born March 1, 1932 and today would have been her 81st birthday.  She LOVED birthdays, and celebrations of every sort . . . it was the presence of friends and family, and even perfect strangers that thrilled Cissie.  Heck, she didn't know a stranger, no matter where in the world she was. Six years ago tonight we managed to throw a surprise birthday party for her 75th, and you can see how delighted she was!  On her birthday and every day, we fondly remember Mom for everything she meant to us, for her unbounded love, and her soaring spirit.  Here's to Cissie . . . the life of the party! 

Six Years Ago Today

Cissie & Bob

Cissie and Granddaughter Brittany

Surprise Party---Look Who All's Here!

Gifts on Route 66

On the Phone with Granddaughter Heather