My mum flew into Gan a couple of days ago. She’s staying with me on board
Aroha until my sister, brother in law, and nephew arrive, when we’ll all
move into the local resort for one of those “family reunions in funny
places” I mentioned in an earlier blog.
Unfortunately, small scratches on my left foot became infected at about
the same time as my mother’s arrival so we’ve had a fairly leisurely few
days, leaving the boat on two of them only to visit the two cafes
(internet and food) opposite the quay.
On the first two days that mum was here I was still in denial about my
ballooning foot and we set out to explore on foot and on scooter. I love
being an observer, hanging back and watching life go on. I love observing
the differences and the similarities. The Maldivians here are not
bothered by an audience- they just get on with the task at hand as the
audience grows. We saw a car off loaded from a small wooden supply boat
there other day, and I half expected applause to break out when it was
successfully unloaded. I often find that I have to hold judgement on
seeing things that don’t make sense to me, but may all the same be the
best way of doing things, like unloading groceries off the supply boat box
by box.
My left foot started to take on the dimensions and appearance of the
elephant man’s appendage, so it was off to the local doctor- a likeable
old Maldivian gentleman, but the first time I’ve been examined by a doctor
dressed only in a singlet and a dhoti (sheet like undergarment). For a
second opinion I photographed the offending foot and sent the least
attractive holiday snaps to Dr Mike in Dubai for a long distance
consultation. The doctors agreed, and I added 1000mg of Zinnat to my
daily diet.
Bernd left this afternoon for Chagos. He’s been trying to leave for the
last few days, so each evening we’d have yet another “farewell dinner”,
and delve deeper into the booze cupboard. Last night we stuck near the
bottom of Bernd’s stash, some sort of rather potent schnapps, so it’s
probably for the best that he managed to leave today.
