I’ve just returned from Marianne Hodoul’s funeral, and not even puppies can cheer me up enough to write a zesty post.
The Baie Lazare church was packed; everyone from this area, of course, and a lot of dignitaries were in the crowd. Very appropriately, it rained.
Apparently, three men are being held in connection with Marianne’s murder at the moment. One was released from prison only a few months ago after beating his girlfriend and leaving her for dead. She survived … barely … and he served all of about three years for his crime.
Marianne was a kind and gentle person and she is well missed by many who loved her and others who appreciated her calm and simple ways.
Because her murder was so brutal, in addition to mourning Marianne everyone is terrified. Our peaceful world has been shattered and we are all paying attention to the reminder that any of us can be a target. Drugs are now making their way into Seychelles, with heroin … unheard of here only a few years ago … tallying up victims faster than anyone can follow. Crime is on the way up, hand-in-hand with fear. The police are under-prepared and, like those in almost all the world, unable or unwilling to stop the traffic in and the sale and use once here.
People are beginning to build walls around their homes, install electric gates, hire private security companies.
Yes, Marianne’s death also seems to mark the death of an era, a way of life that can no longer survive. The days of peaceful island living are gone. We have now joined the real world.
I am so sad today. Sad. Angry. Frightened. And worried for the future for my children.
A collection of my short stories:
I'm in this one, too ...
And I'm in here, as well ...
Paradise Preoccupied 
My heart goes out to you. I’m so sorry
Very sad indeed.
Lisa S.
I am so sorry about your friend! That is beyond tragic. I hate thinking about what the world is coming to. The signs just don’t seem to be the happiest these days.
S~
I am sorry beyond words to hear that the world has encroached onto your doorstep. You’re right, it does seem somehow worse to know that even Seychelles, that dreamy island oasis, has been brought cruelly face-to-face with the worst part of our global society. You have all my sympathy, all my thoughts and all my prayers today. Take good care of yourself and your precious family.
I too am sad and angry. Marianne and I were together in 1972-1973 both in the Seychelles and here in South Texas.
She was a lovely person. I have great memories of Marianne. Edward Comparon, San Antonio, Texas, USA
ecomparon@satx.rr.com
The airport had just opened, when I made my first “business” trip to Mahe to anchor myself for a few days at The Reef. There, I met a young photographer accompanied by a graceful, slender, long-haired young woman with an open smiling countenance. Her name was Marianne Hodoul.
During that brief sojourn or the next, I was invited to Mont Fleuri and met her mother ……… the doors were always open. Brother Paul was around to explain his fishing plans. We raced around in Mokes, visiting various locations of serenity and beauty.
Later moving to Paris, I met Alice; we dined and chatted together between my trips to the Far East. Marianne came on vacation. We spent some time in the south, also visiting friends just outside Aix. It was wonderful to share time with her.
Trying to find “lost” friends, Google led me to this site. I am staggered that so a gentle person should be destroyed, having given solace, companionship, love, a shoulder-to-weep on, to so many …….. whilst retaining her own council.
My heart goes out to those of you still living the drama …….
Bruce Golding, The Hague, The Netherlands. bruce@ralgo.nl