Adventures in Africa: Zavora beach

Recently, Kenyon and I took a road trip to Zavora beach with the Whitlocks and Henrik. At night the stars were amazing and in the day the beach was breathtaking. Here are some photos from our trip.

Sea kyakers! I am jealous. After trying sea kyaking in Cambodia I am hooked. Can't wait unitl I can do it again. It is the first water sport I've tried and really like.

Kenyon and Gabby drawing while we wait for the scuba divers to return. I sure am happy I packed an outdoor blanket and portable chairs in America. They were nice to have at the beach!

B-e-a-utiful!

Home-made toys are very popular in Africa. I think many of the creators are Engineers in the making...if only life would afford them that opportunity. This kid made a toy car out of a stick, a plastic bottle, some bottle caps and other things we would just throw away.

A common sight in Africa. Young women with a baby on their back.

What a view!

A wonderful weekend get away and one of the cleanest, nicest beaches I've ever seen.

The drive was an adventure, but the destination is a relaxing get away. I am sure this will not be our last visit to Zavora...though it will be without our travel companions, the Whitlocks. They are moving back to the US in July. We will miss them, but intend to keep in touch regardless of which side of the ocean we live on.

over lunch...

The other day over lunch the staff and I were having a conversation about cultures and the impact on worldview and attitudes. It came up that all of the staff think it is odd that my husband helps with household chores. I am told an African man would never be seen cleaning or doing laundry.

A few weeks ago I was in Kenya and a similar conversation occurred where the African men, one of them well in to his 50's, said they had never served themselves food or fetched something from the kitchen - that was women's work. They always had mothers, sisters, wives or daughters to do this for them. I asked what happens if a woman isn't home? Do they starve?

The answer was, "No. We ask the helper."

Remember, most middle class households in the developing world have hired help in their home.

African men think I should feel ashamed if my husband helps with laundry. African women think it is a great example to African men.  I heard that on TV in Mozambique they have started airing commercials about men helping with dishes, cleaning and cooking in the home - like a Public Service Announcement (PSA). I haven't seen it, because I can't understand most of what's on the television as they speak very fast Portuguese.

The lunch conversation was interesting. I am glad we have established enough trust to have such conversations.

What do you think? Should men help with household chores or is that women's work?

Interesting International Facts: Kingpin Law

Did you know?

In 1999, the US Government enacted a law known as the Kingpin Law. I'd never heard of it until recently. Essentially, the Kingpin Law is aimed at drug traffickers. It targets business interests and restricts access to the US financial system for those identified as drug traffickers. If you're interested, you can read about the designation act here. This summary states: "The Kingpin Act authorizes the President to take these actions [sanctions] when he determines that a foreign person plays a significant role in international narcotics trafficking."

Recently, President Obama gave this designation to a prominent business family in Mozambique. I found out through an email from the embassy. That was the first time I heard of this law. There were three businesses listed and an announcement that American citizens are advised against using these businesses and federal dollars (NGO dollars) are forbidden from being spent with these companies. One of them is the Maputo Shopping Center. There is a movie theatre, restaurants, a grocery store and the best electronics available at this shopping center. Basically, there are things we are looking for that we have only found available there. Since we were advised by our government to sanction these businesses, we have not returned. Which means, living in the developing world, we have further limited our access to goods and services.

I read an email today, that at least one of the businesses, a taxi company in a province we work in, is seriously struggling since the sanctions were put in place. NGO's who had contracts for drivers have looked for these services elsewhere. Losing lucrative NGO contracts was a huge loss to them financially and the taxi business is not expected to make it to the end of the year.

Will this change the actions of the drug trafficker? I don't know. What are your thoughts on sanctions?

I can tell you, from current experience, it does take some effort on this end to comply with the request of my homeland.

Deodorant. A luxury item?

One of the things we took for granted in our old life (the life in the developed world) is the accessiblilty to inexpensive, and sometimes free, deodorant (or other hygiene products). We have noticed the lack of it. I don't have to tell you how we noticed. Kenyon says sometimes the smell is so bad it makes his head hurt.

The first time I went to the store to buy deodorant in Maputo, I understood why it is rarely used. The cost is ridiculously expensive in comparision to what I am used to paying. I came home and told Kenyon the price. We agreed that at that cost, it would easily be considered a luxury item. If I had to choose between deodorant or food, my choice is clear, it would NOT be the roll-on anti-perpirant!

So, the next time you are at the store buying your roll-on, remember there are some places in this world that only the wealthy can afford such a luxury item. Be thankful for your blessings!

Anniversary Number Three

Three years...and counting. Kenyon and I celebrated our three year wedding anniversary last week. It was a week day, which means I had to work. So, he brought flowers to my work and we had dinner that night at a Portuguese restaurant we had never been to, but came highly recommended.

I used to wonder how old married couples often seem to communicate without saying a word. I think I've learned their secret. In recent months I realized that Kenyon and I have spent enough time together and I know him well enough now that I can often accurate predict his response to things. I am familiar enough with his likes and dislikes that I don't always have to ask, I just know. His ways are familiar enough to me that with a quick glance I know what he is doing (or about to do). Don't tell him he's predictable, but there is something to knowing someone that well or being familiar enough with them that these things are just known.

We spent the weekend at a beach on the coast of Mozambique. As we drove out the six hours to our destination, we used some of the time to make our annual list of favorite memories. This has been a tough year with two cross-continent moves, continued unemployment, and other issues...pardon us, but we couldn't come up with 10 and instead have a list of nine favorite memories for the year. To see lists from previous years, visit here and here. These are listed in the order they came to us, not necessarily a preference ranking:

9. Moving to Mozambique

8. Visiting good friends in Dubai

7. Watching Avatar outdoors in Phnom Penh, Cambodia

6. Nelspruit with the Whitlock's

5. Visiting the Power and Light district in Kansas City

4. Being chased by an angry momma elephant at the Royal game park in Swaziland while on our self-guided tour with the Whitlock's.

3. Christmas gift exchange with the Cambodian staff

2. The taste of turkey, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie at the annual partner dinner in Cambodia

1. Snorkeling in Sihanoukville, Cambodia

Obviously travel is the inspiration for many of our favorite memories. How about you? are your favorite memories from special occassions or everyday events?