Half a blog is better than none

Given that there really is not much to do here, you would think I would have more free time.  However, the things that need to be done take at least twice as much time, often more.  So on balance my free time continues to be limited. Work days are long, night comes early and mornings even faster.  Since we are the eastern edge of the time zone it is lightat 6 am despite it being the middle of winter.  Construction has begun and the parade of workers and traffic on the street is loud. And it seems all the guards decide to talk on their their cell phones at decibel levels that ensure everyone in the apartment complex hears the conversations.

Aside from the occasional successful runs to the grocery store - and the absence of any work or Peace Corps Volunteer emergencies - the most exciting thing we have done was a trip to Swaziland to an annual Woodstock/Bonnaroo type three day outdoor concert.  Being the intrepid "viajantes" that we now are, we opted for the minibus and four star hotel.  A small, eclectic group of 19 from the Embassy, CDC, and UN rented a small van and negotiated great rates at very nice hotel, Summerfield Botanical Gardens.  The rooms were nice but "botanical gardens" may have been a bit of a stretch.  The music was as eclectic as our travel group and included several African groups and even a Japanese performer.  http://mg.co.za/multimedia/2012-05-31-bushfire-2012-the-art-of-self-discovery The setting was primarily outdoors (read field) although there was an extremely interesting permanent theater/bar area that seemed to be modeled on a Gaudi building.

Festivities (and drinking) began at 5 pm on Friday night (actually the drinking probably began earlier) and continued through late Sunday.  We also opted for the VIP tickets (again the intrepid travellers) which essentially meant plastic lawn chairs behind a chicken wire fence and someone who would get your beer.
On Saturday and Sunday during there the day there was music but also activities for kids, including the giant Mozambican puppets (see earlier blog: Home Again...Part 2).

There were also craft vendors, artists, poetry readings, and hands-on activities for kids.  Whereas the events for the most part were inclusive of blacks, whites and all age groups, Saturday night wasdominated by the locals and by midnight was jam-packed with young, party-going Swazis.  When they started storming the chicken wire fence it seemed like a good time to leave.

We also took advantage of our time in Swazi to visit a traditional Zulu village where we had a tour of the compound and were entertained with dancing and singing.  A handful of people continue to live in the village but most have abandoned the reed/stick huts for cinderblock living.

Historically the Zulus used this rock as a place of execution.  The person would be escorted to the top and then thrown off.  The young woman guiding us actually seemed disappointed when she said they were not allowed to do it anymore.  How do you sell that hike to the top?  "Great views.  A bit difficult getting there but you will have an easy trip back down." 

Traditional hut - note monkey on top

All in all it ewas a fun weekend and not only gave us a chance to see some new sites but also to meet and interact with others whose paths we would not normally cross.

And back in Maputo...

Pretty much the same old, same old.  Road construction resumed with a vengenance, the trash piles grow exponentially, sometimes the supply trucks don't make it from South Africa, and prices continue to rise.  We did lose our great massage therapist and accupuncturist, a married couple who decided to return to China.  The Chinese are not well-liked and seen as exploiters (the new colonialists?) and there have been some attacks against Asians.



"Medico" Dave



Oh yeah, and there was the guy who exposed himself when I was walking.  But my distance vision isn't all that great.  At first I thought he was holding a stick and smiling to be friendly. 

We also attended a Mozambican wedding: actually a 25th anniversary renewal of vows.  The ceremony was schedule to begin at 2 pm. We arrived 40 minutes late and were still among the first guests.  The ceremony was held in a church/gym and then a reception was held several miles out of town in a country venue.  Lots of food and dancing.  We were alos among the first to leave, at 10 pm, and the party was still going strong.

And on the six month anniversary of "The Big Break" I ran for the first time: ten minutes and not very fast but a small personal victory.  I have been full-time cast-free for almost two weeks and working to reengage unused parts in my foot and leg.  The doctor and physical therapist both cautioned going slowly and to add insult to injury, literally, made frequent mention of "at your age..."

It looks like a September trip to the states is in the works.  Carl has a Peace Corps Conference in DC and we will take advantage of one paid-for ticket.  Until then....