Paradise Preoccupied

I don’t get it.

We’re coming up to another election here in Seychelles, but I don’t see new roads going in left and right, the shops aren’t stacked with items not seen for months … in fact the usual shortages are still short and there’s been not a drop of the second necessary ingredient for a G&T in longer than anyone can recall, much to the chagrin of parched Brits … and only one party is throwing parties.

What gives?

Could it be that because it’s seats on the National Assembly up for grabs, not the presidency, no one’s feeling the same pressure to perform ahead of the polls?

There’s no doubt that the feeling is local, as districts are small and everyone knows everyone, candidates being no exception, and has since childood. There won’t be much in the way of surprise coming from anyone running for office, and this vote may be more personal … although politics are always personal in Seychelles. Always.

The opposition deciding to forego the waving of the green at speech-ladened rallies by the dozen is particularly puzzling, as that sort of rah-rah has seemed so very popular with leaders and followers in run-ups to past elections.

Could it be that their decision to walk out and stay out of the legislature a few months back has even them wondering how to address asking folks to put them back in those chairs every Tuesday evening?

Most people are going to be happy when it’s all over but the shouting. And there will be shouting because there always is … Creole is not whispered … and some portion of the population will not be happy with results.

Very soon after the hoopla, however, we’ll be back to politics as usual … greens will be green (A poor choice of color, in my book, equating with envy as it does, but no one asked me.), and reds will put away their laker dan laker umbrellas and cherry-on-the-top-like baseball caps, and that will be that.

No matter what, some will kvetch that life is hard on this island where not one person goes hungry, everyone has a roof over their head, education and healthcare are free, women enjoy complete equality, and freedom of religion is guaranteed … and this in Africa. There will be some gnashing and wailing and general grousing.

Before too long, though, someone will buy someone a beer, and the conversation will return to the usual two topics: fish and the weather.