Réunion Islanded De-Mythed

So I continue to get some questions about where I am and what I'm doing. Here's a brief FAQ on La Réunion, which by the way is awesome.

Question 1: Where are you? Family Reunion? Oh you went to the college reunion early?

Anwer: Not a family or school reunion!  I'm in the French overseas department (Departement Outre Mer or DOM) of La Réunion (Réunion Island) in the Indian Ocean, about 120 miles west of Mauritius.

Question 2: Ah ok, what and where is Mauritius? I still don't know where Reunion is?

Answer: Mauritius is an island country in the Indian Ocean. It has one of the highest GDP's in Africa.

Ok still confused? Reunion is east of Madagascar, which is east of the African continent.

Question 3: OHHH Madagascar!  Like the film!?

Answer:  Sure.

Question 4: Wow Africa! Can you drink the water there? Is there ebola??

Answer:  HAHAHA.  Réunion is first world.  I drink from the tap everyday. There is no ebola here.  We're on an island thousands of miles away from the countries in the west of the CONTINENT of Africa.  There's currently more Ebola danger in the US than here.

Question 5: What language do they speak there?

Answer: French.  And French Creole.  This is technically France. No not a territory, an extension of France (it's just an overseas department) and Europe but in the tropics.

Question 6: What side of the road do they drive on?

Answer: Right, like France.

Questions 7: Do people eat a lot of bread, croissants. etc?

Answer: Yes.

Question 8: What's the food like?

Answer: Delicious. A mixture if French, Indian, Chinese, and African cuisine. Rice is a staple, so are beans/lentils. Lots of fish and meat. Delicious vegetables and tropical exotic fruits too!

Question 9: What's the country like?

Answer: Beautiful! Great beaches with both white and black sand beaches. Also lots of mountains, an active volcano, Aliya of green and wTerfalls. There's great hiking as well as water and aviation sports.

Question 10: should I visit?

Answer: YES!

Hope that helps!