Maputo, Motherhood and going home.

My bags are semi packed in the upstairs air conditioned room I fly back to South Africa this afternoon.

We drove through Maputo yesterday and looked at the buildings, saw where Nelson Mandela and Graca Machel have their house. I went to look at The (famous) Polana Hotel, which is unfortunately under construction. I saw their stack of cakes and goodies which make up their well known high tea. I also saw the price in dollars and swiftly moved on.

We bought vegetables at the local market and maneuvered our way through the stalls.
We sat and had lunch at a cafe and asked the waiter if he was thinking of his wife, as he completely seemed to forget every order we gave him. He laughed and said he wasn't thinking of her but continued through giggles to bring us the wrong food.

My journey has come to a close. I have a huge sense of excitement about seeing my family again, my brilliant Ant and Olive, Amari and Jahli. They have held me afloat whilst I have been away. I have kept them in a box in my mind whilst I have relished this creative freedom that ultimately keeps me sane.

This journey has been a great reminder that I need to carve out this time for myself amidst the chaos that is motherhood. Am sad to leave Mozambique but am so looking forward to the kisses that await me back home. And am also looking forward to the books that come out of this trip...