"OUT OF AFRICA"........once upon a time - Part 1

Dear Paulina
Its wonderful how you have written here..a real treat. Its almost like we were there too. Also the replies you have given to comments are very good and informative too. please do keep writing more:)

Hi Paulina,

a wonderful write-up. I love travel to new places and to read your travelogue, is so informative.

Dear anandchitra,

Thank you for your message of appreciation.

The write up has 4 parts in total ....I guess you did not read about Swaziland which covers the rest of the 3 parts.Please do tell me what your impressions are about it.

With your encouraging words to goad me on I shall definitely write about other destinations we arrived at during the span of 30 years.

warm regards
PAULINA

Dear Sundarusha,

Glad to hear you liked reading the travelogue on Africa.Did you read about Swaziland which comes in the other 3 parts? Do let me know .

Thanks a ton for your message of appreciation.

warm regards
PAULINA

Dear rajmiarun,
That was so kind of you to send such a lovely message of appreciation.
Yes, I heard about the pictures which can be scanned.Acxually Aruna has done a great job by inserting some pictures just after the article.They are all very well chosen by her.I shall try to do what you suggested.Hope you got to read all the four ( 4 ) parts of the write up. You may find Swaziland interesting Do let me know after you read it.Thanks again.

warm regards
PAULINA

Dear Paulina,That was an excellent narration!Ithoroughly enjoyed reading the post.I felt I was there with you enjoying the palatial house and the breath taking beauty of the place.I was also reminded of my stay in Ethiopia for 6 months where my husband worked on a project of the World Bank.I thoroughly enjoyed my stay there.
Now I must read the second and third part of your travellogue.
Bye my dear,I will come back to you.
love
mithila kannan

Dear dear Mithila,.

It was lovely hearing from you , a writer whose fan I am .Your words definitely will mean a lot...please do read the rest of it and tell me what you think.Glad to hear about your Ethiopia sojourn ...please do write about it and share your view of Ethiopia here.

warm regards
PAULINA

Hi,Paulina,Aruna....

This is Shaila here and v r from Bangalore(India). My husband has got a chance to go to Beira (Mozambique) on work basis. So v r deciding about shifting our family which consists of two of us and my 5 yr old son... So v r more worried about the schooling education... Wanted to know complete details(if possible) about schooling in Beira. The education system ,schools in Beira, Indians in Beira.. If I could get details regarding the same. It will be great... Really counting on u guys... Thanks in advance.

Regards,
Shaila

Dear Shaila,

Great to hear from you and from your post that you plan to shift to Mozambique.

We lived in Mozambique way back from 1987 - 1990 ...you may have found out from my post " Out of Africa".We had visited many provinces in Mozambique through out our stay there and had occasion to visit Beira too.Mozambique has since then become a member of the Commonwealth and emphasis on learning English has begun .While we were there it was Portugese all the way.Our children attended the Maputo International School and so had an English medium education.
I just found out from GOOGLE that Beira has an International Primary School since 1997.So you can be assured of an English medium school.The International sytsem of education is completely different from what we follow in India.If a child has to return to India in the middle and suddenly join in our High school system like from class 8/ 9 onwards it is going to be reall y tough.The second language will be a big problem too.If you plan to continue outside all the while then he can take his 'O'levels or 'A'levels and then join back for higher studies.A lot of adjustments are in store for students.In the lower classes it will not pose a problem.Adjusting back to Indian standards which are very high will be a problem in higher classes.
As for the Indian community , in those years there were very few who went on postings to Beira ,they were mostly posted in the capital city Maputo where our Indian Embassy is also located.But the local second or third generation Indians originally from Gujarat or Goa were there and they are all very helpful and affectionate.. Things are different now and there is a large number of expats from different countries stationed there now.
When we were in Maputo there was a large team from the Indian Railways and Tele-Coms too.
You can Google and find more details about Beira International Primary School.
The web site is all comprehensive and looks promising.
Please remember about the medical facilities not being up to the mark in Mozambique.Ofcourse South Africa next door is renowned and we can access there if needed.When we were in Mozambique, those years India had no Diplomatic relations with South Africa and we had no entry there.We used tio carry all essential medicines or get them from neighbouring Swaziland.Hope you get to read all the 4 parts of my post "Out of Africa".
You will get to like your stay in Africa and will find it is an amazing experience.The expats from other countries will be active in various groups and you can join any association or club for good social interaction .This will be easy once you get to meet other parents at the International school.
The local Mozambicans are wonderful people and we enjoyed our three years there.
All the best to you and your family as you set up your new home in Beira.

Dear Paulina, Thanks a lot for the response...

As usual ur replies,ur way of providing information was great..

Thanks a lot once again.
Regards,
Shaila