Getting intimate with Maputo

It's only when you start talking to those who have lived here that you start hearing undesirable stories. Living somewhere like Maputo you never feel safe leaving the house, yet at the back of your mind you might think "it's ok, there's policeman around". Is there though?

Scenario 1: Police stops a car. Owner of the car starts getting the documents out and as he hands them to the police he says "I'm not interested in your documents or driving license. Can you give me some change so I can go have breakfast?"

Scenario 2: Mr A walking down the street speaking on the phone. From behind a fellow grabs it off him and starts running. 10mins later Mr A's wife receives a phone call from the police informing that they have his mobile phone at the police station. Upon arrival, Mr A has to pay 1000Meticais (approximately 20-30€) in order to get his phone back. Nice little business going on between the police and the rude boys in the street.

I leave you with some photos from Maputo:

Kapulana, typical fabric from Mozambique

Feira do Artesanato

Xicalene, local's market

Quick stop in Maputo

On my way to Blantyre, Malawi, I had to make an (un)fortunate stop in Mozambique. Unfortunate because it delayed my arrival, fortunate because, well, why not. Maputo has good potential. Is it beautiful? Debatable. By the sea, warm weather, nice people, an African city that is actually growing economically. Yet 80% of the city's population live in slums without basic human needs (thank you Wikipedia.)

Stepping out of the airport and witnessing a kid getting arrested by the police was just a small "Welcome!" to this country. To be fair the main roads are not too bad to be walking around in. You feel mildly safe despite the fact that every guard is chilling in the shade playing snake on their phone (yes, everyone owns a phone here. Some may not even have shoes, but they will have phones). So where is the real poverty in Maputo? It was only after a drive around Xicalene that I was taken back. A market for the locals, selling everything from empty water bottles to one paired shoes. This also happens to be nearby their slums, truly favela-like.

Although it is still Winter here, the humid 27º don't go amiss. I considered going to the beach, but apparently after 11am it gets too packed.