Xai-Xai

Passeio above Delagoa Bay in Maputo

Julie and Heidi visited us this last week. They are lifelong friends whom I could almost call family since we grew up together in church and school. This was the first set of visitors we have had other than family who have taken the time to visit us. We appreciate that very much, Julie and Heidi. Though we have no expectations of other friends visiting us nor want to place that expectation on anybody. We are keenly aware that such a visit encourages us and helps us remember that though we may be odd-balls living in a foreign land we still come from somewhere normal, loving communities.


They spent a lot of time exploring Maputo, including the Natural History Museum which turns out does not keep anything in secret but shows birds of prey and other such animals attacking others in very vibrant and gruesome ways. I suppose it is for effect. People want excitement not just in movies but from stuffed animals in an exhibit. Somehow, though, it does seem to ruin thoughts of living in a Peacable Kingdom or trying to get back to nature. It looks downright vicious, even horrifying! They showed us the pictures. We did have the privilage of spending time with them a few days when we did not have work to do, having coffee at the European style cafes and trying the Portugues pastries.

On Sunday, we headed to Xai-Xai. It is one of the few beaches in Mozambique where I have actually been on the open ocean and not a bay or inlet. Since it is the low season during winter, there was virtually no-one there on this stretch of sand that goes for miles and miles with towering sand dunes behind it. There is an incredible reef running like an asphalt highway horizontal to the beach. It is under water at high tide and creates a little swimming area next to the beach that is protects it from the waves. It breaks up in some places into big chunks and the
waves crash into them sending spray up to 20 meters in the air. Truly a beautiful sight.
We stayed in a house all by ourselves just 100 meters from the beach. It was cold but still fun to be in such a beautiful setting. Nadia herself could not get enough of running and jumping in the puddles left by the low tides.