Ilha de Mozambique and a stunningly beautiful trainride

Olá!

So nice to recieve messages underneath this blog, unfortulatly I can't (or I don't know how to) respond on the comments.
For pictures I posts some on this blog and a bit more on facebook. (That's a lot easier) So if you want to see more pictures then check my fb.

After 31 hours in the bus I went to Nampula and Ilha de Mozambique (Mozambique island) From Nampula to the island is 3/4 hours unless your "direct" chapa (bus) makes you change to another chapa and to a truck, to another truck and finally another chapa then it takea about 7 hours. Luckely it only rained shortly once when we were at the back of the open truck.
The island is an old colonial town where the buildings are 400years old. The island is so beautiful! And it's interesting to see the old colonial buildings, it's part of Unesco herratige. Not all people are happy about that... why would you want to live with so many reminders of the previous oppressors? Not being allowed to change things because of Unesco. On the other side it brings a lot of tourism. The church and ford are the oldest colonial buildings in sub-saharan Africa.

The people on the island work as fisherman or in tourism. Many, many children live on the island. As soon as the children see a white person they run up to them and ask for money... the people who live on the island are very poor. Previous tourist must have given money (sweets, toys and shoos) to the children. But all these children begging (and these kids are talented beggers, they probably practiced a lot) that can't be good for these children! Can't be good for their self-esteem, getting rejected so many times. Giving money will only support the begging and children will stop going to school. But children who suffer from hunger because there is no money doesn't help education either... It's difficult and I think that the hotels and tourist information should help to educate the tourist on how to deal with these children in best interest for these children.
These children if you spend a couple of minutes, they are really sweet. Some just want attention and they are curious, they want to play and pose for pictures, some want to show you around the island and want to play football.
I met many lovely people here!

After the island I went back to Nampula to catch the train. It'a supposed to be beautiful trainride. Never have I ever made so much effort to catch a train!!!
Wake up at 3.30 to catch a bus and buy train tickets at 8.00 (for the train the next day) and spend the rest of the day in Nampula, a small town where there is not that much to do. (I went to a tiny museum for one hour)
The next day (or night) I woke up at 2.30 to get a taxi so we would be in the train on time, around 3.00, the train left at 4.00. People here seem to like to wait one hour inside public transport and don't seem to appreciate their sleep.... So it seems...
But is was all worth it! The train ride was so beautifull! Trough beautiful landscapes and rural villages. The distance was about 350km and it took 12 hours, the many stops didn't speed things up and the average speed of 35kmph didn't help either.But I loved it! I could open the doors while the train was riding to take many many pictures. At every stop there were people selling food and posing for pictures. The stops of the train was in the middle of nowhere, it almost seemed like the busses raise your hand and de bus will stop wherever you want. But there were "stations" since people are waiting to sell something or to get in the train. The stations are grass, from the grass you jump on the train. Many people even got on while the train was riding, even I did at one stop... there was supposed to be a 15min break and I got of for 5 min then the train started riding again. It was the shortest 15 minutes of my life! And that in Africa!! ;-)
In this train there is first (executiva) class for 600meticais (€8,-) and second class 175meticais (€2,20) I took first class it's supposed to be safer. But I was very curious about second class, wow it was a big difference people were packed in the train, no airco about 35 degrees and quite humid. First class we were with less then 20 people... To bad that they don't give elderly a free upgrade. To walk around I got an escort from the guys who were working on the train, they loved to tell me more about the train. Walking around the people were very supprised that a white person was in their part of the train and everyone was staring... I felt a little bit uncomfortable.
My dear friend Erma gave me assignments before I left traveling and my assingment this day was to film 3 guys who would say "jij bent mooi" I found them it was so funny!! I'll post them on fb if my internet can handle it.
After 12 hours in the train we made it to Cuamba, a smal village that doesn't really have a lot to offer.
I'm very supprised that the only train in this country is from the 4th(?) biggest city to such a small village.

After one night in Cuamba I took the bus to crosa boarders to Malawi.

The road was a dirt road for about 6 hours and after the rain some parts were so slippery!! Very surprised that we didn't got stuck (like many other cars did) and that we didn't hit anyone. At the border town a motortaxi to the other side of the border. A truckride and bus further and I arrived at Blantyre Malawi. So far I saw a lot of rain in Blantyre..... right now it's raining as well. This afternoon I'm meeting some locals and I'll plan the rest of my trip. Maybe a 3 day hike to mount Mulanje (if it ever stops raining) and some voluntair work.
And I need to figure out if and how I can vote on the 15th.

After one month in beautiful Mozambique I have many beautiful memories, pictures and friends. I learned so much and learned a little bit Portugese (which is useless in Malawi). Obrigada Mozambique!!

I'd love to hear how things are at your side of the world!!

Take care! Sabine