I have a pretty steady daily routine, and even though I normally appreciate my very flexible, at times a bit lazy, student life, I can actually say it feels pretty good. Of course, the routine is only a few weeks old, so I have hardly had the chance to become bored with it. And more importantly, having an early morning routine becomes much more bearable when it takes place in Mozambique – the country I have been dreaming and fantasizing about since about 6 months ago, when I first decided to apply for an internship with IBIS.
I think the reason why I am enjoying, and maybe even looking for, this routine, is that living in a new city, working a new job, meeting new people – just generally feeling very new at everything – it gives me a sense of belonging here, of taking part in the life and movement of the city. I have an idea of what to expect when I get up and leave for work in the morning, and I also know how many times I can be surprised every day.
When I leave the apartment in the morning and go out on Avenida 24 de Julho, I take a left turn on a busy street where I walk among people dressed in suits or smart dresses and high heels, and others dressed in colorful capulanas with their babies tied to their backs. I know that by the time I walk back home in the afternoon, this stretch will be full of street vendors sitting in the shade of the trees that are standing in line all the way down the sidewalk. Some will be selling magazines and books from the ground while preparing a meal over a small fire; others will be displaying a wide array of dressy women’s shoes neatly lined up, and the same woman as always will be sitting over her tiny grill roasting corn quietly. What continues to impress me about Maputo is that almost no matter how busy the streets are, how much traffic there is, how overcrowded the chapas are (minibuses that are the most used public transportation), everything just feels mellow and relaxed, you barely hear any cars honking (though it does seem as if they are willing to hit you if you do not get out of their way). I still catch myself walking fast for no apparent reason, outpacing everyone on the sidewalks, but I am learning to slow down, because I am beginning to realise how fast the days and weeks are going.
I take a turn around the hospital and continue my journey down Avenida Kim Il Sung, a broad and spacious avenue with immense, beautiful trees that get me in a good mood every time I walk this stretch. On each block there are always several street sweepers making sure the pavements look as neat as they can be, and guards are sitting on their small chairs outside the gates of the residences they are looking after. IBIS’ country office is located in this calm part of central Maputo, Sommerschield, where the cars are bigger and newer and you occasionally can spot someone riding a bike – or even jogging! – and this is where I come in at eight in the morning, Monday to Friday.
Outside the IBIS office, in Sommerschield, Maputo
View of Maputo
