mgpcpastor's blog

Travelling with a man who can’t stand still means we are out and about, walking the streets of Harare, rested with a good night’s sleep, and fueled by a buffet breakfast.
The city seems flat geographically, the streets are wide and wind through its urban center. The horizons disappear into haze which is clearing as a breeze picks up through the day, revealing a hill on the outskirts of the city.
The sun heats your skin and it is bright. I’ll need to purchase some sunglasses.
The hotel staff are numerous and go out of their way to help.
But Zimbabwe is different to other places I’ve visited.
There is no arrow on the ceiling of the hotel room pointing the way to Mecca, used at times of prayer.
The various street vendors include those selling Bibles, one of which was being patronized by a smartly dressed young woman. Another woman, sitting with a child is singing a hymn. Many churches, old and new can be seen as one wanders around the city. Jeroen being the only other pale skinned person I see, but apart from that the place does not seem too alien. We walk without much self awareness. The traffic drives on the same side of the road as home, which lessens the chances of accidentally stepping out in front of a car.
There are many cars, most in good condition and very few motor bikes and no scooters. Traffic does not have that sense of noisy chaos that marks Asian traffic. It is much quieter, and seemingly more sedate.
The stores and paving all look a bit worn and neglected, but it seems the security of US currency has allowed commerce to resume with confidence. The shelves in some places are not full, but there is much going on.
Much footpath trade, many vendors selling cards for phone credit; I wonder what they used to sell before mobile phones were invented?
We walk past what you might call a bus depot scores of mini vans all being packed full of travelers.
An adjacent flea market has row after row of what seem to be identical jeans, t-shirts, runners and other garments all being sold amid noisy chatter. A
Already warm under the blue canvas cover, I wonder what the temperature gets to during summer.
So much of the city echoes a past that beckons for some sort of recovery. It is functional, but there was a time when style, art and design were valued. The various buildings and streetscapes invite the populace to return to those qualities when the time is right.
So, we return to our hotel to await our friends who will come and take us out this afternoon. The man who can’t sit still has gone out again, and I’m posting this for you.
More later.