I was suppose to go to "Kruger national Park" this weekend but for some
reason, I had to cancelled my trip for next week. I wasn't very happy
about it so I have decided to grill some Arab style kabob but I was
missing sesame cream, pine nut and tavuk spice. I called one my local
friend who is a local taxi driver( He was my first cab driver in
Mozambique when I came here). Titu is very smart- half Portuguese and
half South African. Speak clear English and always eager to help. I
called in his hand phone and I ask him if he know some Arab spice store
in the city. As usual, he said 20 minutes and arrived in my house.
Well, this is my friend titu. He is well dressed, elegant looking man.
A wise, honest, hard working man who knows every corner of the
city-Maputo.

Once I told him, I want to make Turkish kabob and missing some spices.
He gave me his simple, wide smile and say- "don't worry friend, Titu
will solve your problem". He drive me the entire city and took me at
the end of Maputo. I never been this part of the town. I saw a mosque
and start feeling, I am in a Muslim area. People are tall, fair,
drinking tea from the tea vendors, chatting loudly- typical Arab style.
The store was medium sized and full of Arab handicrafts, cini
porcelain, ebru art, copper and silver casting, Turkish tea & Coffee,
different kinds of Baklava, Sharma bread, sobyet everything. Titu
looked at me and say- "told you friend,no worry, I am with you."

Though I went there for spices but I was looking their tea collection
and Ebru art. I don't know, how long I was looking then the salesman
came and asked me if I am looking for something specific. I asked for
some Ebru art of paper and glass. He smiled and called the owner. A
tall, fair pure Turkish looking man with great smile came. When he
found out, I was in his country once, he instantly asked if I care for
a cup of tea. O ya- tea with a real Turk, why not. I am familiar with
famous Arab hospitality. Then he took me to another room- wow. Full of
Turkish art, carpets, evil eyes jewelry, wall decoration pieces,
famous Turkish "Caycur" brand tea many stuff. We sat on a very nice
hand carved wooden chair. A full Turkish Caydanlik tea pot(double
Decker tea pot) came with Turkish black tea. The beautiful Caydanlik
pot had porcelain handle, beautifully hand painted. Then famous Turkish
Hukka with apple tobacco came. Oh, I was just floating in heaven. He
said- " we can talk about business later, lets introduce ourselves
first." No wonder, that's Arab style. I told him about myself and then
he start talking about his side. I spend three and half hours there and
the brief is-

His grandfather came from Turkey. He wanted to make his fortune here
but end up marrying with a local Portuguese woman. His father got
married with Moroccan woman and he is married with a Turkish woman whom
he fallen love during his study in Istanbul. His business is going very
bad and he is thinking to go back to Turkey. I was very sad to know
this. He is a man with strong moral who doesn't want to sell cheap
quality product. He told me the story of the Arab who came to
Mozambique and Africa for trade in the 7th century. First landed in
Madagascar island then spreads all around Africa- Manda island, sofala,
Mogadishu, Malindi, Mombassa etc. etc. How Muslim influence, culture
and religion integration between Arab settler and African indigenous
people. The history of recent civil war in Mozambique. The history of
Arab who build many sea port around Africa. He showed many art of
building port in Sofala in 9th century, some re-print of 12 th century
Arab documents. His knowledge is vast about African history.

We ate chicken sawrma, Baklava and drank many cups of Turkish style tea
with puffing hukka w/ apple tobacco. I had a great time with him and he
refused to take any money from me for food and drinks. Moreover he
invited me in his house to have a full course Turkish dinner. He told
me he will get some high quality Ebru glass and paper art for me.
Sometime I think, how lucky I am to have the opportunity to meet many
nice tea people around the world.

I haven't get the chance to go to Kruger and couldn't cook my Kabob but
became more knowledgeable with a wonderful Turkish-Mozambique man over
tea. I wish, all of you a wonderful tea day.

Ripon
Maputo, Mozambique