Helping Children in Court

Faculty and leadership of the conference and the Mauritius Institute for Judicial and Legal Studies

I had a wonderful week working with the Mauritius Supreme Court and running a training program for the entire judiciary in the country (judges, magistrates, and court administrators) on how to help children who are in the criminal justice system as victims and witnesses.  The U.S. Department of Justice offered a grant that brought a judge and prosecutor from the United States as faculty.  As program chair from the U.S. Embassy, I had to put together all the administration of the program, and worked with the Chief Justice and the other members of the Mauritius Supreme Court to print manuals, make arrangements with the conference site, and handle all logistics and finances.  It was an excellent program, and will greatly benefit the children and their families who happen to be involved in court processes.  As a lawyer myself, it made me very proud to be part of a movement to expand the rule of law and enhance justice in this country.  I had to pinch myself to realize that I was running a program that included nearly every member of the judiciary in the entire country.  I love this job!  

Court Administrators from all over Mauritius

The Judges and Magistrates of Mauritius

Deliberations during the conference

Once in a Blue Moon

Today is the blue moon . . . the second full moon during the same month.  For an explanation of how the phrase came about, click here.   Of course, we use the phrase to mean something very rare . . . as in "only once in a blue moon".  August 2nd was a full moon, as is August 31st. Here are some photos of this gorgeous moon out in our back yard.

Another rare event happens today.  The U.S. Embassy in Port Louis is sponsoring a judicial workshop for all of the judges and magistrates in the country.  The topic:  how to protect children when they are victims or witnesses in court.  I am pleased to be the workshop chair and organizer.  We have a district judge and federal prosecutor from the United States here as faculty, and a very enthusiastic reception from the Mauritius Supreme Court.  The Chief Justice and one of the Associate Justices will open the workshop.  It is as rare as a blue moon to bring together all the judicial officers of an entire country, and I'm very proud that we have been able to accomplish this, all for the benefit of justice for children. Indeed, it is only once in a blue moon.  We'll post some pictures tomorrow.  

Some Enchanted Evenings

We still think New Mexico has some of the world's greatest sunsets, and we are always pleased when friends post those images of enchantment online . . . in fact, we love seeing all images of home.  Over the past year, though, we've developed a routine of enjoying evening sunsets over the Indian Ocean.  Pull out the chairs, a snack, a beverage, and watch the sun as it gradually sizzles into the ocean.  Along with experienced sunset watcher Bailey, Shelly and I never tire of the beautiful images reflected on the water, and the wondrous notion that the same sun is simultaneously rising over the Land of Enchantment.

Elephants on Parade

Since Hurricane Isaac has delayed the start of the GOP Convention in Tampa, I thought it might be a good time to show pretty pachyderm pictures from our summer trip to Kruger National Park.  Enjoy!

Botanic Gardens in Mauritius

Talipot Palm in bloom - - once in 60 years!

 There are some spectacular places in Mauritius, and the SSR Botanic Gardens is one of them.  You see trees and plants from all over the world, and some ancient tortoises.  Highly recommended visit!

An old wrinkly thing, and a tortoise!

Brunch, Botanic Gardens, and 'Burquenos

 We have had the absolute pleasure to host our Albuquerque friends Joe and Nancy the last several days, and today was a perfect Sunday!  We woke early to experience the Triolet market, shopping for fruit and vegetables; then to a spectacular brunch at Chateau Mon Desir at a nearby resort, followed by a stroll through the Mauritius Botanic Gardens.  How wonderful to have friends who fly halfway around the planet to spend their vacation with us!!
Thanks, Nancy and Joe!

 

Mauritius by Horseback

There are so many ways to see Mauritius . . . hiking, boating, swimming, driving are just a few.  We decided horseback riding would be worth a try, and it was . . . a nice afternoon trail ride through the beautiful bamboo forests and hillsides of the Domaine de l'Etoile estate.  Shelly rode Flash, while I tamed Jasmine.   There were birds, javanese deer, and mongeese (mongooses?).  The higher we went on the hills, the further we could see . . . across the cultivated fields, the dense forests, to the beaches and the Indian Ocean beyond.  Spectacular views of a special island.  

Damon's Summer of Fun in Photos

Damon's Summer Photos are posted on Facebook. Hit this link.   Fortunately, he has trimmed down the collection from over 3,000 to just 100.  Enjoy his greatest hits!

Damon and his summer 2012 running buddy, Christian.

Headed to the USA after a summer of fun

Celebrating a Year Here

A year ago today, August 19, we arrived in Mauritius.  What a year it's been . . . as Shelly commented recently, we have been blessed to have one or the other of our two kids here for over 200 days, we've enjoyed visits from friends and family, and we have had some extraordinary, unforgettable experiences.  Looking through a year's worth of blog entries gives you some idea.  To celebrate being halfway through our Mauritius tour, we took our own tour last week, on 4WD quad vehicles through a beautiful, unspoilt, mountainous part of the island.  Sun and rain took their turns.  We delighted in driving fast through mud puddles and seeing gorgeous scenery in the Domaine de l'Etoile estate.  Throughout the ride, there were stately Javanese deer on the densely forested hillsides.  We topped off the ride with a delicious Mauritian buffet lunch at the estate's restaurant.  A great way to celebrate this anniversary!    

Damon's Special Summer Vacation

He was here for fewer than 90 days, but managed to cram in a year's worth of fun . . . He was constantly on the go . . . there were projects on, under, and above the ocean like scuba diving in Mauritius and Cape Town, wind surfing, parasailing, water skiing, cliff diving, snorkeling with dolphins, and kite surfing; there were land-based adventures . . . ziplining, hiking to the summits of Mauritian mountains, camping on an uninhabited tropical island, going on a South African safari, studying penguins, showering under waterfalls, and visiting markets of exotic smells, sounds, and sights.  Tastes of all sorts, from curries, masala and carved pineapple to dohl puri, Soweto beer and wild boar . . . our former "picky eater" has become a global gastronome!  Oh, and he managed to begin and run a small business . . . teaching swim classes to youngsters from age 4 to 14!  A voracious student, he learned scuba diving, kite surfing, tiramisu cooking, and driving on the left side of the road.  All the while, he was a great host to his equally adventuresome and wonderful girlfriend, Jena.  Take a look at his own blog (linked here) for his outstanding photos and YouTube videos of the summer.  Now he's back at the University of Miami, starting the first day of his senior year of college on Monday . . . we hope his professors will understand if they find him staring vacantly at the board and wistfully daydreaming of his special summer vacation.  We miss you and love you, Damon!