We are getting schoolwork done on the balcony of our suite as we dock in Maputo.
For me the mystery of Mozambique will have to remain just that, a mystery. For centuries, Mozambique, with one of the longest and most beautiful coastlines in Africa, 1,562 miles, has been a magnet for foreign travelers. Maputo, formerly, Lourenco Marques, is the laid-back capital, an incongruous mix of outdoor restaurants and cafes, palm-lined streets, an elegant promenade with ritzy villas, and once-grand colonial buildings, which often sit side by side with shanties and hideous, concrete, Soviet-style buildings dating back to the 1950's, when Russia and Cuba had a finger in the political pie here. The daring Portuguese explorer Vasco de Gama, I know you have heard of him, came here on his way to India in the early 1500's, followed by Arab and Indian traders dealing gold, slaves, and ivory. The Portuguese were the first colonizers in the 1600's, remaining in power until Mozambique gained it's independence in 1975 following a fierce and bloody liberation struggle. A bitter civil war followed, but since 1992 this multi-party democracy has been stable, and it's economy continues to grow, SLOWLY. This country played a small role in the Second Boer War in the early 1900's; when Winson Churchill was captured by the Boers, he made a daring escape to Mozambique from South Africa by slipping past guards. Today, Mozambique looks much like a shell of it's past. Only 3 years out of wartime, it is in a rebuilding phase. War, we saw probably firsthand for the first time in my life, can take a flourishing, beautiful city and bring it to it's near death. Buildings were in shambles. People were milling around the streets with no jobs but not begging. There was no sense of control. Our tour guide even told us that if you are sent to jail here, you don't stay long if you can pay your way out. She also told us that you cannot graduate from one year of school to the next without paying the teacher/school for advancement. They are still cleaning up land mines and firearms in the jungles surrounding. They have a long road ahead to bring it back to it's glory. I have always had a mental picture of Mozambique as being a mystic place. It will remain a mystery, until we return. Do not scratch it off your must see list as I don't know if we really got the best view. We will have to come back!! I will do my best to explain in the pictures I chose for this stop. This is a picture of the port of Maputo. Many ships already docked.
The Maputo Railway Station was a diamond in the rough. It was designed by Monsieur Gustave Eiffel ( of Eiffel Tower fame), it's vaulted roofs, handcarved doors, broad curving platforms, antique light fittings and spacious walkways make it one of the most beautiful I've ever seen. In this picture are two of our favorite trivia partners. Mainly, because they are really smart. Actually, they are smart and very delightful. They are Mary Pat and Jay. They are from San Antonio. Jay is a retired attorney. They are well traveled!! Mozambique was the only country on our whole world cruise that Jay had not been to previously! He has been to 127 countries!! I thought we were well traveled! I tried to count up tonight how many I've been to and I think it is 39. Can't wait until we get to Kenya to round out 40! The kids are learning a lot just hanging out with people like Jay.
Here we go shopping. This is Mercado Central. It is where we saw most everything being sold. Spices, brooms, fish, underwear, art, you name it.There were many handmade baskets and brooms. Too large to consider bringing home! The children got to see a sad sight. The man selling these brooms had elephantitis in one of his legs. Very sad.
The fish were plenty and plenty full of flies! All the fish was out on display in over 100 degree heat, no ice! The ones of you who know Nicholas best know he has a high intolerance for smells! He ran past this area with his t-shirt pulled up over his face!
Oh the joy of the perfect purchase! This is a gift for someone Kathleen thought of when she saw it. I don't know if you can see the detail, if you can you might guess who it might be for. Otherwise, wait until May and the lucky person will know! It is an original painting on cloth. Hope you like it whoever you are!
The children found a place to sit in the exterme heat. It is really hot here. The humidity has taken it's toll on some of the people on our ship. Luckily, being from Alabama, we have gotten used to it!
Oh my, is it a Pokemon or a car? It is a car!! The smallest I've ever seen. Spotted outside the city hall building which was beautiful.
The city is littered in trash. Our guide told us they pay for trash pick up bt it never gets picked up. There were piles of trash all over the city. If they could come in there and clean up just the trash the city would be more appealing.
As you can see from the photos, the beach area is beautiful. It is amazingly endless. If you look closely, you can see three ladies sitting in shallow water. Our guide told us they were baptizing a baby there. They believe this is a scared place for baptism.
In this beach photo, there are people just enjoying their day. It was noontime and the sun was beating down but there were people all over the beach.
Kathleen up on the top deck with a goodbye for now to Mozambique.
The boys were too tired to go to the broadway show, so it was a girl's night out. Getting up early to go to a lecture. We have Gerrick Utley on the ship. He was a broadcaster for ABC, NBC, and CNN and did many years of foreign tv and radio. He is a guest lecturer. We plan to go hear him speak about World Leaders in the morning. He has met many, so it will be interesting. Nicholas and I met him on the ship today. He is very tall and handsome. He is probably 6'5" or more. He was happy to know there were at least two children on the ship! We will be cruising up the coastline of Africa between Africa and Madagascar. The currents there are rough. Hopefully, our captain has maneuvered through here enough that he knows the smoothest water!!
Oh my, is it a Pokemon or a car? It is a car!! The smallest I've ever seen. Spotted outside the city hall building which was beautiful.
The city is littered in trash. Our guide told us they pay for trash pick up bt it never gets picked up. There were piles of trash all over the city. If they could come in there and clean up just the trash the city would be more appealing.
As you can see from the photos, the beach area is beautiful. It is amazingly endless. If you look closely, you can see three ladies sitting in shallow water. Our guide told us they were baptizing a baby there. They believe this is a scared place for baptism.
In this beach photo, there are people just enjoying their day. It was noontime and the sun was beating down but there were people all over the beach.
Kathleen up on the top deck with a goodbye for now to Mozambique.
The boys were too tired to go to the broadway show, so it was a girl's night out. Getting up early to go to a lecture. We have Gerrick Utley on the ship. He was a broadcaster for ABC, NBC, and CNN and did many years of foreign tv and radio. He is a guest lecturer. We plan to go hear him speak about World Leaders in the morning. He has met many, so it will be interesting. Nicholas and I met him on the ship today. He is very tall and handsome. He is probably 6'5" or more. He was happy to know there were at least two children on the ship! We will be cruising up the coastline of Africa between Africa and Madagascar. The currents there are rough. Hopefully, our captain has maneuvered through here enough that he knows the smoothest water!!
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1 comment:
Kathleen, You look just like your mother when she was your age. You are beautiful just like her. Love you, Aunt Kathy
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