This is my friend Maria. We met at the August edition of the crafts fair where we coincidentally set up our booths next to each other. Maria is originally from Maputo and makes the funkiest clothes out of capulanas, the ubiquitous local sarong fabric.
We got to talking and I quickly realized that this is the Mozambican woman I've been hoping I'd meet for the last year and a half. Maria is my kind of people! She's into natural and organic foods, loves art, lived for several years in South Africa and Swaziland, and is one of the most genuine people I've come across so far in this country. We hit it off immediately, and after the fair kept in touch and slowly began developing a friendship.
I invited Maria over for tea this past Friday and we ended up talking, sipping and munching on a banana cake I'd made for 4 hours. Four hours! At the end of the evening as we were saying goodbye, Maria said she'd like to invite me over to her house so that I can get to know her family and see a bit of her life as well. I gladly accepted, and we are going to make plans for me to pay her a visit the next Sunday we are both free.
So now I have 3 friends here in Maputo. For as much as I complain sometimes about feeling lonely and isolated, I really don't regret the way I'm approaching my social life. I'd much rather have a handful of true friends than loads of false acquaintances.
On that note, here are a few more pictures from the crafts fair, held monthly at this funky gallery space called Café com Letras. The last time I participated the weather was beautiful and we all set up our booths outside. The line of palm trees marks the boardwalk along the Indian Ocean.
.jpg)
The entire venue is decorated with plaster flourishes, mosaics, funky ironwork and paintings by local artists. Just being there is an inspiration to create beautiful things!
Here is my booth, full of necklaces and earrings. I have been in production mode lately and have all sorts of cool new pieces for this month's fair. I can't wait to participate.
Hope you all are doing well. :)
14 comments:
That's awesome! :) And you get to meet nice people with whom you share interests in a real nice place ;)
Ali, it's great that you are making such good friends. And you are right, few is better than a false crowd! Good luck with the next fair and keep up that creating mood as your jewlery is simply beautiful.
Ali, your jewellry is gorgeous!!!
i agree about having a few true friends over many less-real (?) less connected friends...you have already felt like a true friend to me ali. i appreciate your support.
That's pretty cool. I'd rather have a few really good friends than lots of acquaintances too.
~jo ann - Yes, the common interests bit is definitely a big plus. If nothing else, we can sit around and be crafty all day together.
~alina - Thanks for the compliment. I'm going to take some photos of my new creations and post them soon.
~monkey - Woooo yeah!
~la vie - It is a delicate line between those two poles, no?
~kerry - Thanks. It helps when you relate to the other person's struggles. I feel that's true about what we have been/are going through.
I'd much rather have a handful of true friends than loads of false acquaintances.
Friends, true friends are the God's gifts.
Grr I've just lost my comment because of the beta thing...
Knowing about your frustration in making friends over there, I'm really happy for you! :)
É sexta feira!!!!!
The slow growth of friendships that actually matter sounds like a good way to socialise to me.
Mmm. Banana cake. I'd probably talk for four hours if there was banana cake ;-)
I've been reading some of your most recent entries and I am determined to go back to the beginning. I hope it reveals to me the story of your journey that led you to Maputo and what your work is there. And I agree, there is nothing like the friendship between women. I will never be lonely as long has I have my women friends.
~masd - I agree totally!
~kanuthya - the same thing is happening to me with the comments.
~mauríco - é hoje!!
~annieelf - I hope the post I did yesterday answers some of those questions.
~argos - because I have to pay the bills! It's relatively easy for a consultant to make $5000 in one month, but I'd be lucky to make that in one year doing my jewelry thing. I do love it, though. It's a good side project and creative outlet.
~jvs - the banana cake was yummy but the conversation was even better.
Post a Comment