One chore that I absolutely dread here is getting my gas tank filled. I use a gas tank for cooking in my house and it runs out about once every 6 months. When that last bit of gas comes out and the stove stops working it's a sad moment since I know that I'll have to get it filled.
I can't get a gas fill-up in my town so I have to go all the way to Xai-Xai. The problem is that when the tank is empty I can carry it all right by myself, but once it is full, it is far too heavy for me. It takes some strategic planning to make the full trip. After unhooking the tank I brought it by myself out to the street. In little time a car came and I negotiated a price for him to put the gas tank in the car. Usually you pay the price of an extra person so since I pay 15 mets to get to Xai-Xai, I paid 30 with the gas tank. There's a gas station about halfway between Chongoene and Xai-Xai so I had the chapa drop me off there. After getting out, paying, and lugging the can across the street, the gas station attendants waved me away and told me there was no gas there, sigh, onto the next place.
I went back across the street and waited for the next car, negotiated a new price, and I was off to downtown Xai-Xai. I was dropped off a little ways from the gas station so I tested the strength in my arms carrying the gas can down there, but I finally arrived, and was pleased to see that they had gas cans available for me. I paid and then left the gas can at the station to find someone to help me. Lots of young boys hang around Xai-Xai with wheelbarrows, willing to help out any shopper with a heavy load. I ran across the street and recruited one to carry my gas can to the chapa stop so that I could return home.
After having my gas can wheeled to the chapa stop and paying the boy 5 mets (20 cents American), I waited for a chapa back home to Chongoene. When one arrived I asked how much I would pay for my gas can. His answer? 150 mets which is BLASPHEMY! As I was trying to negotiate a better price I feel some movement near my arm (and purse). I spun around and grabbed a hold of what happened to be some guy's wrist as his hand was inside my purse trying to steal my phone. The chapa guy asked what was going on and I told him that this guy was trying to rob me.
The guy just stood there! I was still holding onto his wrist but he didn't resist or run away or anything. He just stood there and when I accused him of robbing me, he promptly denied it. (Then why was I holding his hand?!?!) Anyway, he finally went off and I got in the car, a little shaky from my recent encounter.
Unfortunately this isn't the end of the story.
Halfway to Chongoene, the car decides that it no longer wants to go to Chongoene, but that it is going to Maputo, which is 200 km in the other direction. So the car decides to leave us anywhere on the side of the road and I start making noise and demanding that they leave us at a legitimate chapa stop and that someone help me there with my gas tank. Luckily at the new stop a chapa showed up with no intention of over charging me and brought me and 5 others to Chongoene.
I had arranged for Francelino's sister to meet me at the stop with a wheelbarrow to take the can the rest of the way to the house. I was never so happy to arrive at home safe and sound with all of my belongings. And I arrived at the right time because then it poured for the rest of the day.
