Just came back to Maputo after five days in the field, but I will only be staying for one day. This Saturday night is thus dedicated to recharging my energy, eating chocolate and washing clothes. Tomorrow I have to run shopping for some of the things I had stolen from my luggage. (My razor, seriously?) On Monday morning we leave again, this time to Gaza province. No big trees over there unfortunately, but I’m quite convinced there will be more big impressions.

Here’s a Baobab tree in Tete.

And here’s what my iPod just very suitably played for me, by the way. It’s from one of my favourite albums ever, one of those that I sleep to and that make my mind float. Only have a listen if you’re also staying in tonight, don’t hold me responsible if it suddenly puts you in a state of awe and tranquility. Boa noite.

Jonsi & Alex – All the Big Trees
Riceboy Sleeps (2009)

I’m in Tete, the capital of the province with the same name. It is known for being very rich in minerals, for it’s booming economy and for the presence of the Brazilian mining company that many choose to refer to as evil.

So, because of the presence of this certain business, and the very rich visitors and expensive consultants it continuously receives, the hotel prices in Tete suddenly boomed to numbers completely out of proportion to the rest of the country. We’re talking at least 200€ for a night in a single room. In a city that really doesn’t have anything to offer other than business.

So, we are staying a bit outside, in a place where one pays 60€ for a private igloo-like house. And I love it. It’s exactly what I needed after four days of running around in Shangara with kids pulling my hair, tons of sand in my eyes, mosquito horrors, nothing but xima with chicken to eat and one of the most uncomfortable beds I have ever slept in.

I am taking the flight back to Maputo tomorrow afternoon and decided that I will take the evening off tonight. So after spoiling myself with a long shower and some really good food in a restaurant overlooking the river, I found myself in the WFP compound where I met friends I had only emailed with so far, and a very charismatic Chilean woman who also works for the UNICEF and who I met on my first night in Changara. It’s such a shame when great people are hidden like this in the middle of nowhere. Come to Maputo!

Tomorrow I will continue working. Wait, what? It’s already Friday? Weekends don’t exist in the field, especially not when you’re doing something you’re enjoying. Frankly, I can’t wait to get back to my computer, but I deserve this sleep and I really deserved that perfect fish fillet. Yum.

The days start very early and end late in Changara. I have been running around from school to school, noting down a million thoughts, dreams and names in my little notebook. Other than that, I have been touched by the stories of young people, watched an important theatre show, and filled half of my 16GB SD card with photos. My little obsession with having order in my files definitely pays off in moments like this.

I get so happy when work is intense like this. It suddenly feels much more meaningful than when sitting in an office. Also, I have during this short time learnt far more about the work of UNICEF and the situation in Mozambique than I ever could have in the office. Changara district in Tete province is one of the poorest in Mozambique. This place takes poverty beyond what I have seen of poverty before.

I will tell you more about Changara, the Child Friendly Schools initiative and my work with the UNICEF at some other point. Now, I’ll do just a little bit more of writing and then use my headphones and some Brian Eno to block out the loud party outside of my window. I have to make sure I get some sleep. Another long and intense day tomorrow.

Anyway, here’s my tired face for you. Boa noite!

I have found the land of the magic trees. These amazing creations, scattered all over the Tete landscape, look as if they have entire little villages inside of their enormous stems. The baobab tree does not only bear a nutritious, vitamin rich and useful fruit – it’s also pretty damn beautiful.

So, I have been here for a day, and it has been a rather hectic one, of various reasons. Firstly imagine getting the greatly exciting assignment of being sent to the field to in a few days collect, photograph and report on various people’s experiences of implemented projects. Then, imagine arriving to your guesthouse and realizing that there are things missing from your luggage. And that one of these things is the charger for your camera – the same camera that you very much will need to charge. Let me at this moment remind you that you are far out in the middle of nowhere. And we’re talking so far out that the local bar only serves one kind of beer. Just forget finding a charger out here.

Anyway, two hundred phonecalls later, I had found a place that sells Canon chargers, a friend who could buy one for me, and a random acquaintance of a friend, who just happens to be on his way to the same province tomorrow! (aaand my friend just happens to be such an angel that I also will get to borrow an L lens.) So simply put: a new charger and an awesome lens are on their way to me with tomorrow’s flight, and somebody will bring them out here. Because one always knows somebody, who knows somebody, who knows somebody who.. right?

So, I’m currently staying in the only guesthouse there is in this district. There are only two types of rooms, one for 10€, the other for 30€. And the difference? A mirror, and a TV. I don’t watch TV.

So anyway, here I am. In the middle of nowhere. On a very exciting assignment with the UNICEF. And right now I’m mainly amazed by the good 3g connection while focusing on hiding well inside my mosquito net. I’m completely covered in repellent and a little bit paranoid. The last thing I need now is malaria.

My neighbour is blasting Beyonce from his mobile phone so I might as well give you a photo of my bathroom window. I chose the cheaper room, of course. It’s all about piorities, darling.

Second day of the Nordic-Mozambican conference on inclusive growth. How can we learn from each other? I see chandeliers..

Just wanted to let you know that I’m back on track. All I needed was a message from my mom, a video from Ady, some dancing and a hug. The dancing probably continues tonight, in one way or another. We shall see.

Tomorrow I’m going for another prison monitoring visit with the Mozambican Human Rights League and work. I haven’t told you about the last one yet, but that’s a story I’m saving for another day. Unfortunately, I don’t have any photos for you due to both security and integrity reasons, but I believe the insights are interesting enough. Surprising enough. Upsetting enough. Disturbing enough. One day.

Have a great day, darlings. Look out for the leopards.

Workshop on the new Sida at Work Contribution Management Process. And chocolate.