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Published: August 7th 2007
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My last day in Mozambique turned into one of those rare, unique days that you could never plan. I awoke early, with the sun, as you do camping in Africa. That was ok; it is a beautiful view from my tent. Today I had a very “busy” day. Actually I had no idea how I was going to fill the 24 hours until the ferry arrived. After all, I was the only mazungo in Metangula and as far as I knew in the whole of Niassa province. I thought I might wander the 8ks into town and shop at the market or maybe just walk around the countryside, who knows.
I wasn’t in any particular hurry in the morning. After breakfast I washed my clothes and then sat and watched the guys play cards in the shade of a tree. I decided I should go and actually do my yoga and PT, that could kill and hour plus or so. On the clothes washing side of things the strangest thing happened. The ants, which are everywhere, found my drying clothes. My blue skivvies looked almost brown the ants were so thick. I was shocked at first but then I realized
they were just helping the drying process. They were attracted to the water and disappeared as the clothes dried.
Back to my busy day, after Yoga I wandered over towards the bar and played a few games of Boa (probably not spelled right, but it is the Mozambique stones game). Then I wandered back to the beach and saw that the card playing men were pulling in there fishing nets. I decided to go and help. Not sure if I was a help, a hit, or just in the way. They were constantly commenting about my hands, which were pink, sore and slightly blistered. They also made fun of my morning yoga ritual. It was all good. It took several hours to get the nets.
When I got back to the camp there was a party going on. People were everywhere. Not sure what the deal was really. I went for a swim and ended trying to teach some local kids how to swim. Turns out that at the bar I would get to talking to the uncles or something like that of the kids I was teaching to swim, completely random events. These guys were really pretty
cool. They invited me to share their meal and then convinced me that I shouldn’t be camped out here I should come with them to the pensao in town and we would hit the town. I figured what the hell. I packed up camp and headed into town with them.
Town was interesting and unusual. It wasn’t unusual in what was happening in general but what happened to me specifically. First off, I didn’t buy another beer after the round I bought out at the camp. Every time a round came and I tried to pay I was told it was covered. Hanging out in the bars and walking around was also different. I don’t know for sure but I think people were told not to mess with me because I was with locals. Not that anyone was likely to cause problems. But there were a lot less drunk people coming up and trying to talk to me. It was nice. There was one drunk man that made no sense. I actually started talking gibberish to him just to see what would happen. He just kept going like I made perfect sense.
The next morning my head was
killing me at 5AM when the alarm went off. Why did know one know that the ferry really wouldn’t show up until after 8AM. Anyway, I think the worst is that there weren’t any shops open to get drinks or food. It was really nice that all three of the guys I had been partying with got up and came down to the ferry beach to say goodbye. I never would have expected that.
I have to say my last 24 hours in Mozambique turned out much better and a lot more fun than I could have ever expected.
FYI - the ferry ride was nice, I spent most of it lying on the deck trying to rehydrate and get rid of my hangover. No regrets other than I’m not traveling in Africa with a hangover anymore. Though I’ve said that before.
Pictures from Northern Mozambique
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Funk
non-member comment
Farrell you are letting it slip a little. I can see (and feel) in your typing that you are getting near the end of your trip. The posts are dripping with nostalgia already. You sure you don't need another 6 months on the run?