A Layne Post

My mom has arrived in Mozambique to help Jon and I ease into our soon-to-be family of four. Jovie’s arrival will likely happen this week, and life will change in all sorts of new and adventurous ways. Anaya has taken to her Gee quickly, and I fear we will have a bit of a hard time when she leaves! Anaya is old enough to notice the lack of her presence now. This is one of the difficulties, and probably the worst, we experience living overseas; family is so far!

Gee time!
Sweet memories

It has been a blessing taking my mom to the hospital with us this week and introducing her to patients. It is always such a fun thing for the patients to feel like they get a closer look into our lives, and what better way than meeting my mom! They like to assure her we are well taken care of over here, even if she already knows it. She is also a big help chasing Anaya around the yard, as it is becoming more and more difficult for me.

My mom babysat for us while Jon and I went out to celebrate our 4 year wedding anniversary, which is coming up on the 21st. It was a special and quite fun time together, as my Mom and Dad funded our outing to a local fish market for dinner. We’ve heard about it forever, but never made it a priority to go. I’ll describe the experience for you, as I think it was fun and unique, and perhaps you’ll enjoy reading about it.

4 years!

Upon arrival a waitress with her red apron met us at the car offering to cook the food we were about to pick out, and though many others would vie for our business along the way in a somewhat annoying manner, we decided to stick with the first. They all offer their individual price for preparation, though we had no clue what “prepare your food” meant. Spices? Butter? Boil? Grill? We could have asked, but what fun is that? The first waitress gave us a good price, according to the advice were were previously given, so we agreed and refused the many other insistent proposals.

We then entered the market area made up of dirt floors and a tin roof.  There is a small area with wooden tables set up covered in all the variety of seafood you can imagine. Rows of different kinds and colors of fish, basins of shrimp (prawns), mussels, oysters, octopus, etc. The vendors proudly show you the inside of the gills, assuring you of the freshness of the fish, though Jon and I, not being connoisseurs, had no clue if they were telling us the truth . You pick out what you want, pay by the kilogram, and then they place your fresh seafood into black plastic grocery sacks, which, if you want prepared, you then give to the waitress of your choice. Otherwise, you are welcome to take it home and cook it for yourself. Jon and I chose a red fish and a 1/2 kilo of prawns to share.

From there you are led into a large square filled with plastic tables and chairs that are covered by cloth umbrellas. You can order drinks and decide on the sides of your choice; salad, rice, or french fries. The food is slow to be cooked, so in the meanwhile music blares from less than desirable speakers, men walk by selling their goods (paintings, bracelets, fabric, etc.), and children dance as they laugh, run, and play. Because it was the weekend, we had the treat of  live music. The man played the guitar and harmonica and sang. He had his microphone placed between his chest and harmonica stand holding it just so as he sang with his head tilted down. It was an impressive sight!

When the food arrived, Jon and I were pleasantly surprised; it looked amazing! It turned out to be some of the best seafood we have had since living in Mozambique. And the company… well, my husband is amazing; I enjoyed every minute. I love him more than ever.