WOJCIECH PLOCHARSKI

TEA WITH VANILLA

2012

Licentia poetica

Fruits of Parliamentarism Gray-haired leader of the opposition with the appearance of post-colonial gentleman points out imperfections of goverment project, Prime Minister - neat statesman and orator patiently explains the details of government proposal. The project concerns the autonomous regulation for the island of Rodrigues, parliament - the size of the local self-government bodies takes balanced dispute in language of legal oratory based on the British pattern. Meanwhile the social sphere rests on the socialist pillars (public television gives notices from companies looking for employees); Conservatively edited newspaper in the meantime creates a local scandal involving the opposition, section relating to crime and accidents contains an overview of knife fights and drownings ... I turn off the TV and hang up the newspaper. A mixture of juicy fruits on a platter has the flavor of insular democracy.

Above the Crater The bottom of the crater, resembling a massive cup, is covered with tropical forest, on the other hand - a panorama of mountain cones from a distant moon, field of pineapples, cane field, household plot of tea, patch of podgy cucumbers... Suddenly - in Chamarel - colorful land undulates in shades of brown, red and violet. Lush green rain forest behind the glass, serpentine road and a wide view over the lagoon with an island in the shape of farming machete; undulating forest on the slopes between the two peaks at both ends of the azure bay. For reef rippling ocean in shades of blue and white, at the bottom, on the coastal road - vast pools of salt producers, groves of sugar cane cheer on motorists, undulating golf courses - in shades of green ... Among colours of the island are also black coffee, brown cane sugar and tints of sand on the beach ... - I meditate over a cup refreshed ...

Grapefruit moon Lychee, bananas, pineapple, mango and papaya - juicy fruits from the roadside, motorized vendor taste different. They are smaller, unattractive, but melt in your mouth like honey. The pulp of sugar cane has even more perfect taste, although we need to suck it out from wooden stalk. Pizza on thin crust surpasses the original, chili paste intoxicates like a drug. We wander in a trance under the starry sky, Light of the grapefruit moon glides over the waves of the bay.

Tea With Vanilla It's a different world. From over the green tea with vanilla I research the happiness of colorful birds, idyll of exotic plants, wanderings of towering clouds. Wind combs manes of skyrocketing palm trees, masts of tall ships erect on the wave. Locals share the fish at the pier; far away, at the exit of the bay, a huge rock resembling a shark's nose. I'm in the Hindu paradise? The driver turns on the radio with sensual music, fleshy leaves, like pendulous ears, fly behind the glass, cones of the mountains in the distance - inverted tubes wait for a noisy and sweaty climbers... Woman talks on a cell phone in the window of airy barrack of corrugated iron. In a moment, someone gets on a motorcycle standing next to and bypasses the crowded city traffic jams. Near the highway, the ellipsoidal university building like the eye of wisdom roots for daily rally of this formula.

Southern Cape The roots of the rainforest writhe like snakes on the surface, lone palm trees on the sugar cane fields sway in the greeting in the distance, the earth under your feet like a reptile skin, the strong ocean current caresses southern cape. Foaming manes of waves gallop on a reef, the wind smooths the hair, chauffeur revives the memory of angling victories under water you can see fishes moored at the shore. A little further on, in the village, their carcasses tempt on a stall, black fishermen play cards in the shade, Foot troops of mangroves gain the coast ... Platoon of fawn deers patrols the dry scrub, mongoose, like a nimble cat, escapes from the wheels; Finally juicy fish from local waters on a platter new, culinary journey.

The Theory of Evolution Tonight we spend in three. She penetrated from the side of the bathroom, from its part located in the fresh air with bathtub built-in floor and shower. Discreetly slipped in on the wall, and after closing the door remained behind the wardrobe. Miniature lizard, moth on the porch of the bathroom the size of iron tiny car children's toy, and wasp with long legs life of fauna, intellectual liveliness of scientist so began Darwin with a butterfly net ... Children's games, which allow adults to ride more and more perfect cars.

Sunday in the Antipodes I go shopping at a local store. I'll take away flavored tea, hot spices to dishes, tropical fruit jams, canned shrimps and rum. I'm going to walk along the sleepy town on the bay. The air humidity is high. I circle a small Hindu temple on a promontory, next - boys on mopeds discuss, as elsewhere, their vehicles. Brown, miniature statue of Hanuman staring at the bay, Nearby - sailing ship rocking on the waves - memory of pirate past ... Before the new building of concrete and glass - lean dogs lie dormant, swarthy owner smiles from the laundry, muezzin can be heard somewhere. Seaside Sunday ... With courses of local buses crossing the siesta.

Under the Papaya Tree Officials of civil status in Port Louis are friendly to foreigners, receive visitors in large offices with wooden dcor; signing solemnly and with a smile documents with fountain pens leave on paper their colorful Indian names ... Chinese lawyers, in stately offices, will introduce you in a friendly way to capacious and orderly environment of the Napoleonic Code used for two centuries. Lower-level officials will receive the appropriate oath, and regional in a small office under a fruiting papaya tree finalize the formalities. Wedding on the beach is under a triumphal arch of flowers in the shade of the palm grove with the clouds and the ocean in the background.

Flowers of Night Guitar sound, sound of waves - the wind grazes clouds over the bay, Flower petals on the tablecloth, champagne murmurs in glasses, coastal grove gently hums, the waiter brings new dishes, guitarist delivers new songs. At dusk - coconut juice through a straw, on the opposite bank fireworks shoot in the sky as blooming flowers or pearly champagne.

Candlelight Crispy shrimps rolls served with fresh garden vegetables marinated with sesame oil. Carrot and pumpkin cappuccino. Roast giant prawns served with juicy saffron sauce. Labourdonnais tropical fruit sorbet. Stuffed chicken leg cooked two ways lightly poached and roasted, served with spring market vegetables. Chocolate moelleux. Herbal tea. Espresso.

Postcard from the Tropics Around noon, when the waves have already provided new seaweed to the shore, These two birds with fluorescent stripes on temples walk unhurriedly in search of tasty morsels. Other, similar to the European hoopoes, but coloured like warriors of the jungle, fly into hotel kitchen window on the hunt ... A loud, cheerful singing greets me in the morning, when I take a shower under a palm tree, Subtle, delicate trills mingle with murmur of the ocean, when I fall asleep. Eating a piece of cake on a deck chair, I stare at the opposite shore of the bay. Sun - directly above your head brings out from the waters clear, postcard tones. In a moment I will come in the plan of this postcard and dive over small echinoderms crawling in the sand... le Maurice