11.10.07 Full Circle

Hi. Sorry for the lack of blog. I was in Mozambique for a month and the internet connection was so intermittent that it was not possible to do more than a couple of basic emails.

I'm now back in Livingstone, and will stay here before saying goodbye to a town, country, continent, people and a particular man I've fallen in love with. I suspect some if not all of these goodbyes are only temporary. I hope so. I'll be home in less than 2 weeks! Eek!!!!!

After the tour was over I went back to Mozambique to stay with my wonderful friends, Jaco and Maria. I had a great opportunity to chill go back to see the orphans at Temane. I've put a couple of pics in here, but I'll do more from home. The main difference that I noticed from May is that the kids look relaxed and happy. The smiles came easily! The tents have held up so far, but it is coming into rainy season and it is doubtful they will survive intact. Jaco is waiting on various local procedures to be sorted before starting construction, and a borehole needs to be drilled in order to have a water supply for construction, as well as for the orphanage when it is up and running properly. The funds that have been so kindly donated are being transferred to the South African non-profit organisation that Jaco has set up, of which I am a member of the board. Its too hard for me to be a director from the UK. The money (about US$2,400 ish I think) will be put towards the cost of the borehole and construction materials for the first building - approx US $7,000 and $17,000 respectively, so thank you again to the very kind donors. I am going to start active fund-raising when I get back to see if we can't help a bit more. There are currently 23 children living there. Jaco has a list of 76 more homeless children in that area alone.

These are some of the children with Isabel, who cooks for them, and Eric, a local teacher, who looks after the children.

I got back to Livingstone on Monday afternoon. I have been amazed at how many people I met that remember me from my time here earlier in the year - in the internet place where I am now, the Vegetarian cafe (no, I haven't told them!), and some of the curio sellers who know I'm going home and are keen for business. Fortunately the chap I saw in August who looked very sick is now looking much better. I am relieved. The people here are very open and friendly (occasionally too much so, but no marriage proposals so far!) and apart from being fresh meat for the local mozzies again, it feels so great to be back here. And I like the fact that I'm finishing where I started. Its nice and circular.

I am beginning to slip into a reflectiv mood, probably because I'm nearing the end of this trip, and because I am not busy at the moment, although my socialising/coffee stops are filling my days nicely. No doubt I'll put some self-conscious ramblings on here at some point. Ach - you've put up with it so far, so I'll see what I can get away with.

Anyway, that's about all from Livingstone so far. If there's anything more to report in the next 2 weeks I'll let you know; otherwise the next entry may be from Edinburgh. Oh that sounds so weird!!!

I can't wait to catch up with everyone in person. The number of people that have had babies or are pregnant is ridiculous - what have you been up to? No, no, I realise that..... Anyway, I warn you, I am a social lightweight and will get very tipsy on one glass of wine. Cheap - me???

Signing off for now.