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Weekend in Xai-Xai

It is amazing that I got to spend four full weeks in Mozambique without going to Xai-Xai, I could not believe it myself when I counted the days! But Friday, Scott and Chelsea, newcomers in Mozambique (coming from where? BOSTON!) joined me in the afternoon and we had a smooth ride there. It was fun to find out after all there is another guesthouse in Xai-Xai called Taverna (I wonder why Sister Isabel said they drink too much there…). Despite the lack of mosquito nets, towels and toilet paper, the place was actually pretty ok, or maybe my standards are all messed up by now!

Saturday was a great day. I got to the end of it tired but re-invigorated, if the both are possible in the same sentence! Tired of how much we saw and did and rejuvenated to see that it is all worth it.

Me, Scott and Chelsea had an early start in the beach of Xai-Xai while we waited for more visitors to arrive but at 12.00 (not sharp) we left towards Chongoene, to pick up Sister Aparecida who was joining our ride. Who is us, you wonder… A lot of us actually, me, Chelsea, Scott, DP, Frank and Heather visiting and Sister Isabel, Stella and Aparecida leading us. After a short visit to the beautiful Chongoene Sanctuary, we headed to Mangunze, homeland of Sister Isabel. We were greeted with a marvellous lunch (including “mandioca”) but the best was yet to come.
After lunch, we made our way to the Water Well built close by and were amazed by literally, the miracle of water. What do I mean by that, I guess I will reserve one full post just for that. Let’s just say you get to understand how water is so precious around here. We all gave it a try in pumping water out but the best part was actually to drink it (yes, I will post movies on youtube soon).

Not far, we were happy to see the future Sewing Center of Mangunze, done in an original way, with an open space reserved for the classes. We are almost done… oh well, maybe we still need to buy the sewing machines themselves, but who cares about those details!! And oh, electricity again… we are going renewables, solar panels!!!

The weekend was full of joy and beautiful moments and we even got to lay on the beach and do nothing on Sunday, given how much we got to do on Saturday. Well, DP did not just lay down in the beach, he actually decided to exercise his quasi broken finger (rookie driving a 4x4) and buid a piece of art that we considered sending to the Moma…


More to share bit by bit very soon and yes I know now that I will get comments on my “smile” that is apparently so different here in Mozambique.

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