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March 8, 2005
To the Rooftops
For those of you familiar with my apartment in Washington, let me say that the place I looked at yesterday put it to shame. Like the place in DC, it's on the 10th story and has a large balcony. This balcony has a 360 degree view of Maputo and Delagoa Bay and a mini-cabana. It's got a big kitchen, washing machine and high-speed Internet. And the rent is cheaper too. It looks like I'll be moving in there sometime this week.
I went to visit the apartment as the sun went down on an exhausting day. After struggling with the airport authorities over my bags, I was slumping over my computer when the phone in my room rang. It was Sophie Beal, a good family friend of the McTurners. She is in Mozambique on a Fulbright and happened to be walking by the hotel. I met her in the lobby with her brother Justin and his girlfriend, Malena. I was anxious to get out of the hotel and glad to see friendly faces, so I went on a walk with them to a fabric shop nearby, where they pored over thin waxy cotton cloths. Malena, a clothing designer, bought more than a dozen bizarre plaids, Mozambican logos and prints of Pope John Paul II. We also visited an art exhibit at the Brazilian embassy and an old colonial fort filled with nameless statues.
Sophie seemed to know just about everyone I'd heard of before coming to Mozambique. She also arranged to hook me up with a cell phone, which I hope to pick up today. Her main competition for acquaintances -- and friendliness -- is Suzanne, the putative landlady of the penthouse apartment. After learning (perhaps through olfactory means) that I'd been wearing the same clothes since Saturday, she offered me some cast-off items she'd been planning to donate.
The rest of the day I spent making phone calls, trying to line up appointments to meet with contacts I'd made before leaving. My record here was mixed. While I talked to several people, others were absent, or their numbers out of order. I hope to offer more background information on my reporting project soon.
Some of you noted that the comments function on the blog was not working. Thanks to Josh Benton for fixing it up. Thanks also to Josh for setting up this blog and providing technical support.
More about this place (and less about me) soon, I hope. Since the site is called "reporters abroad," I hope to describe some of the difficulties and rewards of being a first-time international correspondent. I'm still taking suggestions for a better name for the blog, too. Thanks to all.
Posted by Adam Graham-Silverman at March 8, 2005 9:24 AM
Comments
Hi, Adam. Glad you made it safely and hope your luggage will do the same -- and soon. I just sent an email with a few interesting links regarding International Women's Day and microbicide research. It will be interesting to see what you uncover re critiques of the local HIV programs. I'm sure you will try to balance these with successes (if there are any) and with the challenges of working in these settings. I'll keep forwarding things of interest I see that you might find helpful or interesting.
Stay healthy and happy. Laneta
Posted by: Laneta at March 8, 2005 1:27 PM
A friend of a friend suggests it's definitely worthwhile to check out the elephant reserve -- in what I'm sure is your copious free time. I think I'd propose getting your luggage first. How is your Portugeuse coming along?
Posted by: Arwen at March 8, 2005 6:43 PM
A great first day - a friendly landlady and new friends! Take pictures of that intriguing fabric. Be well, and good.
Posted by: Kathleen at March 8, 2005 7:30 PM
A penthouse with a view. Wow! Post pictures of the view, if you can and also of this cloth shop. Hey, will you be able to go visit Ibo Island? If you do, bring me back some dirt from there. And, you know, post pictures!
Posted by: Pam at March 9, 2005 3:27 AM
What about "Naked in Nampula"? or "Nude in Niassa"? "Bare in Beira" also strikes a chord!!!
Shall we apply to UNICEF to see if they have any spare clothing locally???
Keep writing, we are reading!!!
Uncle Tim
Posted by: Tim at March 9, 2005 8:11 AM
A "Sneak Peek at Mozambique"?
Posted by: Tim at March 9, 2005 4:37 PM
how about "momambeek," which is how thomas says it.he still knows where you are, with great enthusiasm whenever asked. and, nice 'good morning vietnam' reference with the weather. we could go for a little hot and sweaty about now.
jb
Posted by: jb at March 9, 2005 10:09 PM
занимательно лабаешь, подпишусь.
Posted by: loudmusik.ru at September 10, 2009 5:15 PM