Trashed

Yesterday was Heroes Day here in Mozambique. A reminder that in the not too distant past, this land was torn by conflict. Having been reborn as an essentially Marxist country after independence in 1975, religious holidays here don't bear the same weight as in the UK (the only sign that Easter happens is the appearance of some token melting eggs in the supermarkets.) National holidays do - and Heroes Day is a biggie! The partying along the road between the city and the sea, the Marginal (emphasis on the `al' as in the Portuguese pronunciation) was intense, with very loud fireworks at around 10. Shortly followed by amazing lightning and an intense thunderstorm. During which, I should imagine, most of the partygoers headed for shelter. I was at the time, tucked up and trying to sleep after the dog's panic attack at the first firework boom.Must have been a good party 'though - because the Marginal is well and truly trashed.
I kid you not.
Beer bottles, plastic bottles, plastic bags and all sort of other debris are literally lining the street. The beach is covered in rubbish (and no small number of condoms, if DB's report from his dog-walking effort are to be believed!)
It's a curious thing, this endless stream of litter. There are a couple of token dustbins about, but they don't appear to be full. My conclusion is that this is an emerging country, caught between having very little and the grip of rapidly expanding consumerism. Suddenly a lot of stuff is disposable - so it is disposed of - wherever. There seems no awareness that it might affect the people or their country. To be fair to the average man in the street, the infrastructure that should provide clean-ups (and clean-up education) isn't solid either.

And there is such irony in it. Maputo is beautiful. But it is so often so covered in trash that it is hard to see the essence of the place. The sandy beaches, the beautiful old buildings, the colourful can-do of the Mozambiquans - all these things should be pulling tourists into Maputo. But nobody wants to holiday with piles of litter. (This picture was taken some weeks ago. The edges of the Marginal were quite clean at the time :))
Am I being a whingey expat? Probably.
....but I do think I have a point...