Historically, the young missionaries have travelled a lot via caixa aberta as it is often all that is available. In particular, the city of Marromeu where we have oversight responsibility, has no regular bus service. It is on the far end of a hundred kilometer very rough dirt road and the young missionaries have generally gone in and out in an open truck bed like that shown. When I first came, I was somewhat appalled, but rapidly became simply pragmatic--but in truth, it always seemed to be that we were one bounce away from a tragedy with one of our missionaries. Well, the new mission president, has more spine than I and has said, "no more" (or since he is Brasilian, it was "nao mais"). That was a wise decision for safety but we are left with the logistical challenge of moving young elders in and out of Marromeu. The two missionaries there both required their visas to be renewed this week, which necessitated them being present in Quelimane. As a result, Debbie and I have spent twenty hours on the road between these two cities--on what may be about the worst road in Mozambique (which would make it the worst in the world). We are a bit weary of driving but the 4 legs of the two round-trips were not without their interesting sights. We found that the time passed more quickly when we had no passengers and could crank up the ipod full of oldies and sing (poorly but loudly) to each other.
Guinea fowl are abundant in the jungle on the road to Marromeu and one will grace our table on Sunday.
This creature we found in the middle of the road today. It measured about four feet in length and we thought it dead at first. When I saw it wink at me (or perhaps it was a cold hungry glare) I contemplated rigging a noose and lifting it into the pickup bed to also serve for an interesting meal this weekend (we have visiting humanitarian workers from the states for lunch on Sunday). The beast (I wish I could identify just what it is beyond " big lizard") thundered off into the brush when I approached it with a stick--too bad, (I'm sure a lizard hindquarter would be outstanding).
The skies are black from brush burning fires. Many of them out of control. They are started by folks burning their fields after the harvest, both to clear them of stalks and weeds but also, we are told, to get rid of the enormous population of rats (though I suspect that they simply move to the neighbors)
The road really is quite rough into Marromeu and we developed a horrendous rattle that made it seem as if the truck was about to implode. Elders Coombs and Derrickson performed some triage and surgery to get us back home. Shown in the foreground is indeed bailing wire--the most useful thing in repairs next to duct tape.
Location:470,Quelimane,Mozambique
If you ever transport Elder Peckham, crank up the oldies! He will join in the singing! Lori
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