My home island is H.Dhaal Kulhudhuffushi. Both my parents are also from the same island. However, for as long as I can remember, I have lived in Male’. Like since I was 2 years old. Ever since mom came to Male’ to get us a better education, healthcare and a living, all my memories are of Male’. I never went back to my home island after that (not because I did not want to, but with life happening I did not get that kind of an opportunity).
I lived in Villimale’ for about a year or half I think, I do have some faint memories but not much. I did not get to travel much to the islands of the Maldives other than some from Kaafu Atoll. My aunts, cousins and siblings used to go picnics on some nearby islands a lot. So basically island life was a concept and life unknown to me.
But guess what, life took a girl who grew up in a city to live in a island. Currently I live in Gaafu Alif Gemenafushi. The island of my husband and family. We shifted here last year mid june. So it’s going to be a year soon and through out this journey I have learnt so many things. Faced so many questions and so many assumptions. Hence this blog post.
So let me tell you guys, VACATION LIFE and ISLAND LIFE has a humongous difference! Your island hopping and three day vacation at the beaches enjoying the warm sea water and some coconut water is not island life. It’s not always sunny days and coconut palms. Sometimes it is travelling 3 to 4 hours by ferry just to get an x-ray of that ankle you have been having pain in for a week.
There is nothing easy about island life. A lot of people I know have come to me with “OMG! It must be so cool to live in the island without paying rent and getting to go to the beach everyday!” Like what the actual biscuits? Is rent the only expense one has to pay? What about the groceries that are double and triple expensive because there is a huge transportation cost which is passed on to the consumer?
I might sound like I am complaining, but the truth is I love living here and it was one of the best decisions we made. Getting to experience a lot of things I never did at the city. Fresh air, fresh coconuts and fish. Growing your own vegetables. Making friends with the neighbours and enjoying sunrises and sunsets while sitting on your undhoali (swing). It is a blessing indeed, Alhamdhulillah! In the island everyone is everyone’s friend and helps each other. For instance, if we are making theluli fai (famous among Maldivians, it is fried moringa leaves) neighbours will come out and share the workload.
I am not saying you should not enjoy your vacations and getaways, islands are indeed a great place to relax and have some fun time with friends and family. In fact, if you ever come to Gemenafushi I would love to show you around and tell you more about the island. I am just trying to shed some light on the reality as a person who lives in an island. Someone who had to go through a whole adjusting phase. From craving pizza and crying about it to making one homemade pizza for the price of about two pizzas if bought from any pizza outlet in Male’, I learned to love my life and appreciate every little thing about it.
Both city life and island life has its pros and cons and is amazing! Let us learn to appreciate where we are and love our lives. So yes, visit the islands but enjoy your visit with a whole new perspective, build friendships with the islanders and enjoy the sunsets and sunrises! 😀
