mozambique: 2500 km of beach
we arrived in mozambique unsure of what to expect, since not too many people we know have been here. however, we got a pleasant welcome to their airport - everyone was friendly. and really, this is a fair reflection of the whole country.
the first and most important thing you have to know about mozambique, is that this vast and wonderful country is named after...me. yep. bet you guys didnt know that i have a whole country to my name. it seems the sultan on the Ilha de Mocambique when the portuguese arrived was called Musa Mbiki....and this eventually became mozambique.
a brief history of mozambique: the early settlers were bantu people (related to bantu-speaking people from kenya to south africa). then came the arab traders around the 8th century. similar to kenya, they set up trading posts. however the real influence on modern-day mozambique came from the portuguese, starting with vasco da gama in 1498. by the 18th century portugal controlled mozambique, and to this day the lingua franca here is portuguese. since independence in 1975, there was a civil war that ravaged this beautiful war until 1992. since i dont have any pictures of this part of their history, instead here is a picture of their absolutely lovely bethel home:
one of the nice things about mozambique is that it has 2,500km of spectacular coastline. in fact, the bethel is across the road from the beach. speaking of the bethel, leoni is a sister here who is extremely creative and happens to be the resident interior design. she has done a lot of artwork, murals and decor for the bethel and as a result mozambique bethel is brimming with tastefully done interiors.
it includes this cute little 'coffee bar' where anybody can go and invite some friends and have a capuccino or espresso or whatever. this is where we have breakfast every sunday morning!
on one of our first evenings here a couple took us to a nearby orphanage where they conduct a study with some of the kids. when we arrived, all the kids run out and give them a big hug. then followed the study, a good-natured (as far as i could tell, since it was all in portuguese!) and lively affair where all asked questions and commented freely. it was a real heart-warming experience as many of them have lost their parents in very sad ways.
there is so much more to show you about this wonderful country...the amazing railway station, the strange relation to mr. eiffel (yes, of the eiffel tower), and so much more...so expect a few more posts to come.
