Adventure for Soccer Jerseys

Yesterday, Ashley and I went into the city to try and track down Mozambique soccer jerseys for some of the Oklahoma team. It was an adventure to say the least. After chasing down the chappa that we needed to ride into the city, we were crammed into the back with 25 of our “closest” Mozambican friends. We both were standing straddling the legs of the people sitting in the front row of the chappa. After about 5 miles distance, someone finally got out at a stop and gave Ashley a chance to sit down and me to find a positions to stand that was more conducive to comfort.

When we arrived at the city’s center market the local children bombarded us, so ready and willing to offer their assistance. Our white skin screams easy target for a quick metical in their pocket. A sixteen year old boy, named Alex, helped us weave through the booths offering live chickens, fresh fruits and vegetables, jewelry, tribal drums, clothes, hair extensions, and just about everything else that can be expected of a city market in Africa. After winding our way through the narrow paths of broken concrete that were littered with trash, we finally were able to get Alex to understand that we were looking for a sporting goods store that someone had told us was located near the market.

As we crossed the street of busy chaotic traffic, we saw the sporting goods store. It was surrounded by people pounding on the glass of the front of the store. People were literally trying to break down the front door to get into the store to buy their gear for the soccer game. The situation was ridiculous! Ashley handed Alex a few U.S. dollars for his assistance in helping us find the store, and we both looked at each other as if to see if the other was up for the challenge of fighting through the crowd. Without word, we both smiled at each other and proceeded to push our way to the front of the crowd. As we got near the door we realized that the store had an armed guard on the other side of the door, only letting a few people in at a time. When the door would open to let people out of the store, the crowd would smash forward trying to get through the little crack that the door was opened. We were at the front window getting pressed against the glass every time a few lucky people squeezed through the door. The owner noticed the two of us mixed in with the rest of the locals, and eventually told the guard to let the two white people into his store.

After entering we purchased three authentic Mozambican soccer jerseys for a few of the boys on the work team from Oklahoma. As we prepared to exit through the crowd, the thought went through my head of it would be very easy for the people outside of the door to steal the newly purchased jerseys from our hands. As we pushed through the crowd to get to the street, our helpful “friend” Alex again greeted us. He followed us down the street for many blocks, hoping that he could offer us more assistance in return for our money.

I am finding that one of my favorite things to do while here is to wander the streets and experience the culture of Africa. The street vendors, with their dvds, paintings, wood carvings, belts, phone cards, and even self-made coat racks, are relentless in their pursuit. Looking into the faces of the street children and witnessing them return a smile. I have had a wonderful experience in Mozambique thus far into my trip. I am thankful that I am able to have the opportunity to be here and witness what life is like outside America.




HAPPY FATHER'S DAY, POPS!!!
I LOVE YOU!