Inhaca Island

one of the pretty girls in mozambique
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Bob Dylan was right on when he said "there's lots of pretty girls in Mozambique" ("Mozambique" on the album Desire). The people here, men and women, are beautiful. I just spent the last few days on Inhaca island, just off of the capital city Maputo. I met a friend through another friend in Jo'Burg and he when he heard I was going to Mozambique he decided that he wanted to go too and offered to drive. He grew up in LA and we have some friends in common so I thought it would be fun to hang out for a few days.Well he is now still on the island and I am back in Maputo.

firewood, baby, and all
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The last few days have been exhausting for me- I can't put my finger on it but there was something about him that I couldn't tolerate. Perhaps it was me- I realized that in 8 days I was in 4 different countries, not to mention the fact that I spent a few of those days, well at least one of them, quite ill. I am just worn out and I was looking forward to fun conversation, good company, and an easy going drive up to Mozambique. Instead, I found myself in the company of someone who I really didn't enjoy. I won't get into too much detail- it's really not worth my time- I am just picky about who I spend time with- I would much rather be alone than be with someone who I don't like. Furthermore, when I don't like someone I feel mean around them, and it is exhausting for me to try to be kind and sweet. Apart from all of that, though, the island was nice.

practicing love and tolerance
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I finally got to interact with some locals- they live for the tourists and the "town" if you would even call it that, was tiny so everyone hung out together. I also met some South African surfers there, I was surprised to see people with surfboards because I didn't see any waves, but they said there is quite a good wave on the other side of the island and it was featured in some Rip Curl movie- surfers? heard of it? Anyway, they told me it is near the lighthouse so I rented a bike (long story there), and rode in search of the lighthouse/wave. It was quite a nice ride, through the mangroves and sand. And I actually found the lighthouse, after nearly giving up after trudging through the sand for the last couple of kilometers. You can see it all in the pictures.

sunset from our room
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Yesterday I took the ferry back to Maputo and today I am just catching up on emails before tomorrow I head to Tofo, a beach area up north of here. I am a little wary of this next part of my journey, apparantly there has been some crime against women travellers in that area but it is concentrated in a certain area which I will be avoiding. Today I met a nice Swiss guy from my hostel and we will make the trip together tomorrow, so I feel good about that. If, when I get there,  I feel the area is unsafe I will change my plan and go somewhere else. It is a popular tourist destination, though, so I think I should be fine as long as I stick to the touristy area- there are pretty clear guidelines about where to go and what to avoid. I guess the beach there is absolutely beautiful and I am really looking forward to it.

so cute (another pretty girl in mozambique)
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Only three more weeks in Africa!!