Mauritius is an island nation in the Indian Ocean, off the southeast coast of Africa. When Anne, my GrandPal, was a young girl she lived for a short time in Mauritius. Anne was about 10 to 15 years old when she moved to a town in Mauritius called Vacoas. Anne moved to Mauritius because her dad was a major in the army.
Anne always found the temperature in Vacoas to be very, very hot. Yet, Anne loved doing things outside even if it was always hot. Anne also loved Mauritius because she learned French at her school. While living on the island, Anne met a French family.
Anne never expected just how important this family would become to her. The family owned a big house, which they needed because they had ten children. Anne wanted to meet the family because they had children that were her age. Anne’s parents were worried to send Anne alone.
Anne’s parents decided to meet the family because they didn’t want to send her to a stranger’s house. Anne’s family and her new friends got along because the family was very kind. Anne’s parents trusted the family, and thought that Anne and the children in the family would become great friends. Anne spent a lot of time with the family.
She walked along the railway tracks across a bridge to their house. It was about a ten-minute walk from her own house. Anne played with their three youngest daughters Marie-Claire, Annike and Marie-Yvonne. The four girls played tag and hide and seek.
Anne went to their house for meals, to talk, and to practice French with the family. Anne’s French improved because the whole family often spoke French with her. The other kids in the family were older and they were quiet. Anne bugged the boys in the family, so they thought Anne was a pain in the neck.
Anne loved spending time with the family. Anne had a great time with the family. They treated her like their eleventh child. Anne felt like an adopted member of the family.
She was grateful to have this family in her life, and she loved them all very much. Anne and her friends shared a very strong bond during her time in Vacoas. The family started as strangers and soon became Anne’s second family.