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Hi! It's been quite some time since my last post. I've been wanting to add more pictures from Nambiia to the site, but the uploading has failed everytime. So, I can only hope that when I try to add my new pictures from Mozambique, they'll load properly. But now, I'd like to fill you in on what I've been up to.
This past week I've been in Mozambique. We had a few days off school for public holidays so a few of my housemates and I decided to skip a couple of days of school and make a holiday of it. We went to Maputo for a day at the beginning and a day and a half at the end of the trip. The rest of our days were spent in Tofo, a seven hour drive north of Maputo. We thankfully took an aiplane ride from Cape Town to Maputo, to ease the amount of time spent on the bus. The plane ticket there was more expensive than all of the rest of the trip- it's so crazy. Mozambique is a beautiful place with a tropical climate, beaches, coconuts, bananas, cashews, and nargies (spelling? like an orange/nectarine). It was amazing
waking up so close to a beach every morning in Tofo. We would get up go to the market next store, buy some coconut bread, bananas, nargies and be set for breakfast or lunch. Lay out on the beach for awhile, see some boys come by asking you to buy their bracelets, cashews, or whatever other trinkets they have- like every five minutes you'd see someone new. I ended up buying quite a few of those bracelets...I couldn't help it. What was even more interesting is that a couple of boys were willing to trade a bracelet for a pen that I had. They wanted it for their school work, since they were short on pens and excercise books. I really wish I had brought more pens to share.
While in Tofo, my friends and I went on an ocean safari and took a trip to Inhambane (the nearest city with an ATM and tourist market). The ocean safari was great! We snorkeled with whale sharks, dolphins, and manta rays (spelling?). I never saw the dolphins underwater, but I saw the other two. It was kind of scary at times, knowing that those large creatures are beside or under
you. A couple of times I didn't realize the sharks were so close to me, I would stick my head underwater and see that they were only two meters away! So, I had to rush out of their way, as they may not see me because their eyes are on the sides of their heads. It was really cool seeing so many whale sharks (I think we saw five of them) and it was worth the small jellyfish stings I recieved.
While in Inhambane, we were able to go to the markets and try bargaining for some nice gifts to take home to our friends and family. And we had lunch right outside of the market in a room with only a table. It didn't look like a restaurant at all, and only cost us about a dollar for our meal!
We left Tofo to get back to Maputo to catch our flight. I met a very nice man named Bruno in Tofo and he tagged along with me and my friends to Maputo, where he is originally from. He made for an easy reception in Maputo and was there for us when our accomodations fell through. We
were going to use his tent, until it rained, and then we were able to stay at his friend's place--he was a life saver. He introduced me to the life and vibe of Maputo. I was able to see the beachfront, fish market, a local artist studio, some young men dancing and making music, a cultural center, the main cathedral, local markets, his family and where he grew up. It was an amazing experience! And, like he said, I didn't feel like a tourist so much. Although I took my camera everywhere I went. It was such a great time. And I owe it all to Bruno.
Now, I'm back in Cape Town, back to school work, essay writing (yikes!! I have to catch up with everything), SHAWCO volunteering (I'm going on a fieldtrip to a wetlands soon, on Saturday!), and I'm catching up with my housemates I haven't seen in forever. I'll have to get back to you on what else is happening here. And of course upload some photos. Let me know how things are going back at home!! Congratulations to those that graduated!
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Gwen
non-member comment
nice
I really enjoyed the pictures, You need to be in more of them!! Love ya, Mom