A fresh piece of Maputo

 It is discreetly on Av. Agostinho Neto n. 769 between Salvador Allende and Amilcar Cabral, Mozaika Guesthouse. There a cool breeze welcomes you. At daybreak it is so peaceful, the front avenue echoes this portion of the poem “4” from the book “Recolher Obrigatório do Coração” by Álvaro Taruma: “there is a street where dreams drag me at night”.

I, who arrived with some anguish wrapped in my backpack with the books “Marizza” by Mélio Tinga and “O Destino das Imagens” by Jacques Rancière, found a zein in that homely and meditative environment. At that time, I had already parked in the free parking lot on the property.

The green garden in the backyard of the two-story buildings where the rooms, reception and restaurant are, makes Mozaika an oasis in the center of town whose symbol can be the leafy mango tree in one of the central points and abundant fruit trees in the area.

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Leaving behind the patio that looks like a photograph by Mário Forjaz Secca, when I open the bedroom door, my eyes sparkle to see the writing table waving at me as if it had been waiting for me my whole life, the sofa to put up with all the tiredness before going to bed.

The night there, silent and serene, is like the unshakable tranquility of a pier when there are no fishermen or people on board. After the dawn comes the joy of seeing, with the sunrise, lights and colors that arrive with the day. The white, blue, orange of the flowers that flank the pool that pretend to be a beautiful and clean pond impose themselves. The morning, seen from Mozaika, is the materialization of the poem “6” from “O Livro do Desassossego” by Fernando Pessoa, by 10.00 am, “a bit of bread, a bit of quiet” is served for breakfast.

▶ How to go?

From LAM you can reach Maputo. After a journey of about half an hour driving, there you are at the Guest House.

▶ What to do?

Walking along Agostinho Neto Ave after Olof Palm, in the middle of a summer afternoon, it’s like wrapping your body in the breeze of the tall trees outlined in both walks. Or just go to the Mafalala Museum or to the different art centers in the city.

▶  Where to eat?

What is not lacking in Maputo are places to eat. It has something for all tastes and pockets, from national to international cuisine.

▶  RESERVATIONS

+ 258 878294457

NIGHTS SUGGESTED 3

*Prices on request

Issue 76 Nov/Dec| Download.