Day 8, 1.12.17 - Maputo, Mozambique

             
              A Market kind of day in Maputo, Mozambique

Dried fish and prawns:  Portuguese delicacies

             

"Banana prices!"

The street vendors were relentless, hounding us the ENTIRE time during our walk through the city.

--------

Maputo is the capital city of Mozambique, with third world status. Unemployment hovers around 40%. 

The poverty was unavoidable and poignant on many levels during our walking tour of the city today. 

As we walked through the city with our guide, 

accosted constantly by the street vendors desperately wanting a sale, the smells of urine, broken glass under our feet, and garbage lining the streets; the temperature hovering at 92 degrees and the noontime sun blazing, our senses were accosted and our global perspectives were widened yet again.

-----------

The Central Market is full of produce, fresh fish, spices, hair weavings just about any other local sundry one might need. It's a sprawling one-stop shop for the city dwellers.

I was wishing I could have snatched up some of these unnamed spices, homemade sauces, honey, oils, dried beans...but we are not permitted to bring any consumables back onto the ship.

------------------

(This is how this day began:)

Starting to adjust the body clock to this side of the world....

I don't know if that's a good thing- or not.  Awoke at 6:30 am, in time to go to the top deck of the ship, enjoy espresso and chocolate croissant, and watch our ship enter the Maputo harbor and dock. The Chinese are  building a long awaited suspension bridge between Maputo and Catembe (gateway to South Africa), expected to cut four hours off the current commute time. We docked near the construction  site. 

Very cool.

After my espresso sunrise  hour, there was then time for a good workout, and then course #2 of a healthier breakfast. 

We hopped on the shuttle to the FEIMA market, which is "the best" craft market in Mozambique. It was, indeed,  magic! If I had a couple hours, I would have really done some damage to my slim American wallet.

"Banana Prices Mami. Banana Prices!!"- indicating how cheap they were willing to sell.
Can't tell you how many times we heard that phrase.

Signature color filled Mozambiquan batiks blowing in the breeze

 Mom was never interested in shopping, as she's been doing this forever, so she tagged behind and admired the African art styles she's always loved.

These are all made from upcycled metal, and if you know me, you know I seriously considered layering the BIG guy, 3rd from the left, in my suitcase back to Punta Gorda... 

We only had about 30 minutes, which was only enough time to see about half of it, and crush about 40 vendors' hearts (or so it seemed) when I kept having to say "No, I have to look first, I'll come back!".  When there were finally only three minutes remaining, I grabbed up two beautiful batik pillow covers for $5 a piece. And headed to the confusing area of the bus.

He just couldn't understand why I couldn't buy his bird...



------------------

Back on the ship, I had my first refreshing swim in the saltwater pool, enjoyed the jacuzzi, happy hour, and some fine live jazz on the deck.



The contrasts of this adventure are filling me up
with ~awareness.



All the while, monitoring the US News... of Meryl Streep's comments, Obama's farewell speech, developments within the Donald Arena of continued Russian scandal, his press conference, and Charlotte County Public School's urgent decision to cut 47 employees, some effective immediately.

My world is more vast than ever.