The Iruvai Journey Part 1 :: Maldives News :: Dhivehi Observer

Adventures of Dhonkeyothi

The Iruvai Journey - Part 1

August 2006

'Few people are innocent - most are responsible.'

These stories are inspired by others and written by Dhon Keyothi.

A funny thing happens on the 30th day of Zulqaida. I go into a cafe for a cup of tea and by the time I come out there is something like blood all over my bike. But at the time I don't think it is really blood! I ride to a nearby restaurant belonging to a friend and then pour two bottles of water over the bike. When I lift a hand to wipe the sweat from my nose, I smell blood!

I call an uncle of mine who knows a lot about this sort of stuff, and explain it to him. He tells me if it is blood, it can only be black magic. Anyway, his advice is not to worry and get on with my quest. 'Who cares if someone listens to your telephone and internet stuff?' he says, doing a special little spell for me. 'Don't let it spoil your trip.'

Unceasing Waves

I get aboard the boat around two in the morning, and when the vessel heads into the sea it is about five o'clock. Somehow it's rough and when the sun comes up I see some women throwing up too. Nature calls and I move towards the toilets and luckily both cubicles are occupied, because I turn around and see my bag sliding across the deck towards the ocean.

After a difficult scramble to the front of the boat, I grab the bag just as it's about to drop over the side. It contains my passport and many valuable documents. There would have been no choice but to jump in, and get the whole boat to turn around. Perhaps it is further evidence of black magic, but then again, maybe it's my fault for forgetting to secure my luggage in rough weather.

Whatever my uncle did, maybe it worked, because I am saved a lot of trouble when I don't have to jump into Kashidhoo channel to rescue my bag.

Anyway, all that day till five in the evening the boat is like a match-box on agitated water, and there is no sleep for me because I have to be sure I don't go overboard. Everyone else at the front shares this remarkable experience with me.

To get to the toilet on the right-hand side of the skipper, I have to hold onto the railings at the side of the boat. It's a rough trip but not as bad as some weather I've seen. Instinct had told me how the trip was going to be, and I escape from most of the ill-fortune that comes against me.

Chapter Notes:

Iruvai means 'the time of the dry and sunny northeast monsoon'.

Zulqaida is the eleventh month of the Islamic lunar calendar.