Did you know...

…that according to shrimp experts the straight between Mozambique and Madagascar contains - what is known as - the “Rolls Royce of Shrimp”? Basically that implies that being a fan of a good shrimp meal, I am really spoiled here… By the way, what is a shrimp expert? Is that a Shrimpologist? Shrimpadamus? Or maybe a Shrimpzilla?

…that Maria Mutola is the only Olympic gold medal winner in Mozambican history? She dominated the 800 meters in athletics for over 10 years. The Dutch will remember how her dominance was once broken during the Barcelona Olympics by the Dutch gazelle Ellen van Lange (also known as “scheefbekje”).

…that the famous architect Eiffel actually has designed a few buildings here? Apart from the beautiful Central Station’s roof structure there’s the notable “Iron House”. Legend has it that some guy, when requesting a permission to build, was being discouraged by the local authorities, stating that he was only to build a house there (next to a city park) if and only if the entire construction period would last no longer than 4 weeks. So Eiffel was called in as architect who designed and build a house in Paris using only iron. This iron house was then taken apart, shipped to Maputo and put together again within the requested 4 weeks! Cool, huh? I guess Maputo has the honour of actually having the first pre-fab house!

…that quite a lot of people here speak English? And rather fluently? I have been to quite some countries where English is not the main language, but in my experience this country comes second to only Holland. The most often heard explanation is that Mozambique is surrounded by mostly English speaking countries. My explanation is that, like Holland (and the Netherlands Antilles), television and movies are all subtitled here and not dubbed like for example in Germany of France. You know, those countries where John Wayne has the same voice as Eddie Murphy and Woody Allen.

…that Brazilian novelas are one of the most watched TV shows over here? Does it ever stop!!! Sigh…

…that I hereby solemnly promise to never ever again complain about the many potholes in the Curacao roads. Compared to the roads here the Antillian roads are as smooth as Bill Clintons chat-up lines. And almost all roads are bad. Really bad! The worst I’ve seen is actually in front of the Canadian embassy. You need a Hummer to get there for your papers. Then again… who would want to move to the country that gave us Celine Dion anyway…

…that the famous Kruger park is actually just a 2 hour drive from Maputo? Basically that means that going on the well known safari is easier from here than the more common South African Cape Town.

…that I have still not seen a single McDonalds? Really! I am not kiddin’!!! Actually I have also not seen a BK, Pizza Hut, Wendy’s, TGI Fridays, Starbucks or even a FEBO! They actually serve food here! James would never survive…

…that the flag of Mozambique has a AK-47 on it? For those of you who do not know, that is a Russian made automatic rifle, also known as the Kalishnikov. Historically probably the weapon responsible for sending the highest number of people to the eternal hunting grounds. I actually didn’t know anything about this gun until Nicolas Cage praised it extensively in Lord of War. If you haven’t seen that movie, rent or buy it now!

…that you can easily get an AK-47 here for about USD 30? Anyone interested?

...that I have to leave now because the sports bar is showing Netherlands vs. Serbia in the U-21 European Championship final? On ESPN Africa! Go Hedwiges!!!