Just in time

Just got energy back, somewhat. It’s been out for three days and I was getting a little tired of not being able to see or cook or stay up past 6pm. It’s not back completely- my stove won’t get hot enough to cook, but at least my computer can plug in and charge my phone J
I broke up a fight at school today, and got punched in the process. It’s my own fault, of course, for stepping in between two students, but it still kinda sucked. Tomorrow I get to have my first official parent teacher conference. Should be fun.
Otherwise same old same old- I’m teaching about HIV transmission and prevention in class and today I taught my REDES girls how to use condoms. Never a dull moment around here.

Bats

I was watching a movie last night and in my living room I noticed something silently circling overhead. Another bat was trapped with no way out. Bats, being so fragile, using get injured in my attempt to free them from my little house. Last night, after knocking it down and cornering it, I brushed it out unharmed, and it flew away. I felt accomplished.

That was easy

I’m not sure why it took me an entire 6 months/ year to figure out my whole uncomfortable bed situation. I bought a new mattress in January hoping to finally get some good sleep, but no. This morning I took my kitchen door off the hinges and laid it under my mattress. Finally I’m comfortable. That was easy.

Cows

As my REDES girls are playing a game of soccer the cows came through town. I realize this is possibly an abnormal thing for most people, those living in the states, but I’ve become very accustomed to it. So, as my girls are mid-game, mid-field, a small herd of stray cows walks through the field. As they walked diagonally across the field, my girls just played right around them, like they didn’t notice them. I admit, I didn’t think much of it either- just stray cows. But seriously? Cows on a soccer field? I’ve become way too accustomed to the peculiar.

Pancakes

This afternoon, my REDES girls and I made pancakes. I’m not a good cook at all, but I wanted to cook something for them that is at least a little bit American. The process was fun, getting them all involved. I’m not sure how many of the 10 girls actually liked them (maybe 2 or 3?) but they were good sports about at least trying them. But really, who doesn’t like pancakes?! My cooking’s not THAT bad.

Weekend

I went up to Inhambane City this weekend for a training for REDES. In conjunction with the ministry of education, we held a 1 day training on how to start and maintain a REDES group. It was fantastic!! 55 (out of 60!!) teachers came, and throughout the entire day they were participating, asking questions, taking notes-ok, so this all may sound normal, like what people always do at conferences, but not here in Mozambique. It was strange and yet so wonderful.
On my way home, I got a great ride from a man who works for the Christian Counsel of Mozambique. He was so interested in REDES and helping support trainings and more groups. I felt lucky- not only was it not a chapa, but he bought me KFC and got me (almost) home in record time. As he continued to Maputo, I continued home via chapa. As I’m sure I’ve said before, riding in a chapa is really like participating in a contortionist act. They cram people into these minibuses like we’re sardines, people wrapped around each other, bodies bent in ways that they should not bend, 10 people sitting, hovering, bending in a space that was meant for three people. Meanwhile, what is actually yours (a backpack for example) gets shuffled around - my bag is in some ladies lap while a strange child gets put on my lap and chickens are crawling on my feet and a goat is bleating because it’s crammed behind the backseat halfway hanging outside the chapa. Once we finally get moving, we stop a few hundred yards down the road to pick up more people. Seriously?! I thought they might actually try to tie someone to the roof just to get more people. And of course, when we stop to let someone off, it’s not the woman sitting in the front, it’s the woman in the very back, so we all get out, pass the kids and purses around, climb over the stray chickens and broken seats that don’t fold up, let out the one person, and crawl back in again. It looks like a circus act. In the end, if I make it to my destination with all my belongings, in one piece, without getting peed or thrown up on, it’s been a good trip. My idea of personal space and comfort is seriously warped.

I saw a dragon!!

I had an interesting run today. It started with a herd of children following me. I lost them after about 10 mins- I was surprised they held out so long. Almost immediately thereafter I was charged by a cow. Legitimately charged. It was a girl cow but she still had horns. I almost dove into a bush trying to get out of her path, which in hindsight was not a bright move. I kept thinking I was seeing giant bugs flying through the air (which isn’t abnormal) but once I got away from the cows and children I realized I was seeing ash falling from the sky. Off in the distance I could see smoke and I thought I’d smelled something burning, which again is not abnormal, but I thought it was strange to see all the ash floating around. About halfway through my run, over the sound of my music, I heard a rustling to my side. I looked over and I swear, it was a dragon. A komono dragon, maybe, if they have those here. Whatever it was it, was HUGE- over 4 feet long. I think I spooked him because when I stopped he stopped and we stood there for a moment- then I took off and got at least far enough away so I didn’t think he’d attack me. He was pretty- slithered along his path. I kept thinking on my way back I was going to encounter something else- bigger and scarier. Adds a whole new level of enjoyment to my runs.

Party

One of my 8th grade classes threw a party for themselves today to celebrate their birthdays. It was so fantastic! Birthday parties are not a normal thing here- I don’t think I’ve ever been to a birthday party or even heard of one, so it was a fun surprise. The students invited all the teachers into their classroom where it was decorated with balloons and drawings on the chalk board. Eulalia, a student and one of my REDES girls, got up and gave a speech to the teachers thanking them for participating and for supporting them throughout the year. Then the Director of Turma (the teacher in charge of the class) read a poem about growing up and how they, the students, are our future and how important they are. It was so sweet. Then we sang happy birthday and ate the food the students had prepared- French fries, salad, and sandwiches. It was a feast. I was completely surprised by the party and not only was I happy to be involved, I was/am so happy that the students had the opportunity to celebrate themselves and feel special. It’s so rare here that kids get that. And they seemed so happy. I did make them work a little, considering the party took place during my class time- I made them sing Happy Birthday in English.

Cabral

At the beginning of the year, my co-worker Professor Cabral was in a fatal car accident. He didn’t die in the accident but he never came back to school and nobody ever spoke about him. I had no idea his condition until this afternoon. I saw his face and had to do a triple take. He seems to be his old self, same smile, same humor, only now he’s missing his right arm. I didn’t get a chance to talk to him because he was going into a meeting with our director but I’m so happy to see him back here and see he’s happy and healthy. (About a week after writing this originally, I found out because he lost his writing arm, he’s not able to teach, but he’ll still be working at my school, as the librarian. I’m happy he’ll be here, plus I’m happy we’ll FINALLY have a library).

good moments

I had a great convo with my loga guy, Rafael. He and his brother Samito run a store next to my school so I’m in there a lot to buy stuff, talk, whatever. They’ve been good friends of mine since I got here. Anyways, I talk to them a lot, but today Rafael and I got into some pretty fun topics. We talked about the US going to war, Mozambican violence or lack thereof, gun control, transactional sex, HIV and other diseases, and the importance of educating girls. So many topics covered! It was so great to hear his opinions on things. He’s not an extremely educated guy (graduated high school but born and raised in the bush) but he’s got such amazing thoughts and priorities. His thought process is so much different from most Mozambicans I meet- he was talking about the importance of only having one girlfriend or wife, about not having more kids than you can take care of, about the importance of educating girls so they’ll be able to make smart life decisions rather than rely on a man. It was amazing! I wish these conversations happened more often because when they do I’m on cloud nine and feel like I could never leave here.

Education

My REDES girls have never been very chatting. Considering they’re 13-14-15year old girls, they’re quite a quiet bunch. Today we were making earrings, listening to music, and chatting a bit, what I decided to give an impromptu lecture on myths and facts of HIV transmission. I’ve done it before with my REDES group but none of the girls today had heard the info. I was shocked at how lit up and involved they became. Usually when we talk about heavy topics they don’t speak, don’t ask questions, just kinda sit there and (I hope) soak it up. Today was completely different. They asked questions and participated in discussion. I had a lot to explain to them, and now I know we have SO much more to talk about, and I’m completely motivated.

Power come back!!

Looks like I’m only getting power at night for awhile. Apparently the entire time I was in Maputo, the energy was coming and going several times a day. Since I’ve been back I’ve had power between 5:30pm and 10:30pm. It’s annoying because I have an electric stove and I’d like to cook during the day, but it’s not bad now that I know I’ll at least get power in the evenings. Only big difference- no morning baths. Without being able to heat the water it feels like ice. I may be tough, but I’m not that tough, especially not at six in the morning.

Strange Site

I caught a chapa on my way back from Maputo today- I went to Junta (a large area, not really a parking lots because it’s more of a free-for-all where cars, buses and minibuses load up passengers to head to just about anywhere in the country) and while walking toward my chapa I almost literally stumbled over a man passed out in the middle of everything. I think he was passed out from being drunk- that’s not at all abnormal here, especially it being a Sunday afternoon- but I was most surprised that everyone just left him where he was- cars were swerving around him, people were walking around him, but nobody thought to move him out of the middle of Junta. Just thought it was strange.

Back to my hut

After waiting for an hour and a half to speak with the doctor and a 3 minute inspection of my foot, I'm medically cleared to head back to the bush. It's been a nice ride, this last week- showers, good food, being part of a family- but it's time to get back to real life. Hopefully my students haven't forgotten EVERYTHING I've taught them in the last few months, but I'm not holding my breath...

Just adorable

I stole this from Katie's facebook. This is baby Eloite (e-LOY-tee). She's clapping because she just put on a brand new beautiful dress. I want to bring her home.

T. I. A.

I love Maputo- warm running water showers, comfy bed, thai food, indian food, pizza, bacon cheese burgers (I like food alright!), good beer, fast internet... it's refreshing. But it's still Africa. I went into the clinic to get minor toe surgery. First, as I'm waiting in the ER, the receptionist is on her cellphone chatting up a storm as people are walking in and the phone is ringing- she couldn't be bothered. TIA. Second, I go in to get cut open and the doctor says "oh, looks like i might have trouble numbing you because of how red it is." My response- "go ahead, cut it out. I have a high pain tolerance." And he did. Apparently Africa has roughed and toughed me up a bit. But really, does skin tint have much to do with administering any sort of numbing agent? TIA.

REDES success

I came to Maputo this past weekend for a REDES planning meeting- it went so well!! Usually it's only PCVs involved in the conference planning process, but this year we included 3 Mozambican women who have been part of the project for many years. It was so great to see how into it they were getting and how many wonderful ideas they had we would've never thought of. In my experience, these kinda of meetings/interactions with Mozambicans can be difficult, but I was so surprised and thankful with the women we have working on REDES.