Saturday we took the bus to Curepipe (pronounced 'Kur-pip') . Curepipe was first founded in the 1840s as people fled one cholera epidemic or another, and it is central town about 10 miles from us. It is not scenic, or tourisy, or nice. In fact, it is a dirty, squalid and crowded place, but it does have a lot of shops. The famous quote in all the guide books is that when Mark Twain visited he referred to it as: ' the nastiest spot of earth'. Can't say I found much to disagree with that statement. Curepipe is about a one hour bus trip. The main reason for going was to look at model boats. Mauritius is famous for the detailed and correct models of ships, and they are a popular tourist purchase. Curepipe is the center for this boat construction. Will and Sam are desperate to own a model of the USS Constitution (they are channeling their Grandfather Guertal, another inside joke - sorry).
The only large animals on the island (other than humans) are deer, which are farmed for venison. Any beef is imported from South Africa or New Zealand (at least, that I've seen in the stores). That beef is all flash frozen, and sold that way. The venison is sold fresh at market. The deer head, such as seen here at the Curepipe market, is often displayed. As marketing tools goes it is an odd one, but you know what you are buying.
Bus travel is tiring. Will slept all the way back from Curepipe.
Sam is fascinated by the seafood section in the local ShopRite, and we must go visit every time we shop. He has to go and see the octopus. Now you can, too.
Our bathroom.
This is Sam standing in front of some of the women in the workshop. The detail is amazing. A ship such as shown behind him is around 12,000 Ru (or 400.00 US).
No comments:
Post a Comment