One Way Ticket

We have not heard one horn honking nor any loud noises from motorbikes. There is an evening ride about the island when adults and children enjoy a cooling ride about 4 to 5 PM in their open air transports. People speak softly. We have been in countries when normal conversation sounds as if there is an argument going on. That is not the case here at all. We have not seen any pleasure boating, which is so common in the US. Boats here have a purpose. They are taxis, fishing boats, diving boats, supply boats. There seems to be a relaxed way of life. Even the chanting from the top of the mosque is melodic and soothing, almost like singing. The people have free healthcare and free education. The fasting, which is done during Ramadan seems to also contribute to that slower pace. They are not allowed to eat or drink during daylight hours. Shops are closed. There is a very strong sense of community on the small islands, which is lost in a much bigger environment. People don’t lock doors here. 

Something else that makes this place seem different is the sense of remoteness. Not only are these tiny islands that are separated by miles and miles, but these islands are in the middle of the Indian Ocean. On a seven day backpack trip into the wilderness, on the fourth day I will reach a point where I will not be going any further into the wilderness. From that point, I know that every step I take will return me to my car and to the normal way of living.  I get to a place, maybe a mountain pass or a very remote lake, and I realize or sense that this is as far into the wilderness that I will go. I have that feeling now being here on Omadhoo Island, a remote tiny little island in the middle of the Indian Ocean. From here, we will be traveling back to Eau Claire. So it seems appropriate that yesterday Louise and I put the calendar together and bought tickets to fly across the Pacific to return to North America. We are not sure we will be returning to our normal way of living. How much has America changed? How much have we changed?