Monday, December 31, 2012

Christmas in Bombay


This year’s Xmas had more of a Thanksgiving theme to it, which I thought was amazing.  Ben talked to the head chef from his brewery and was able to procure a ButterBall turkey for the occasion.  We went into the brewery early in the morning to cook the turkey and make gravy and stuffing.  It pays to be friends with a chef- Ben can make some amazing things!!!  I spent the entire morning snacking on what he was creating that by the time we showed up to the party (small party- 7 of us total) I could hardly eat anything else (for those who know me, that’s a big deal.)  Anyway, the house we went to was on the forth floor of an apartment building overlooking a giant intersection on one side and a giant sports field on the other.  AKA the perfect people watching place.  We talked and ate and drank for hours, watching the cops pull over anyone they could or watching any one of the 15 cricket games going on at once.  I was extremely impressed by how all the played could keep the games straight; only run after the ball in their game and dodge the others.  Not only that but there were 2 soccer games going on in the middle of it all.  So, Christmas 2012- another year away from family and friends (Ben aside), with no snow, and it was a blast.  So thankful I was with someone I knew for the holidays and also so thankful this entire group of friends welcomed me in and made me feel part of it all.

India


The last 2 weeks has been a whirlwind- at times I feel like I just got here to India and other moments I feel like I’ve been here for years.  I’m loving every moment of my time here, no question.  So many things remind me of Mozambique- cows and goats in the middle of the street, trash everywhere, weird smells, stray dogs and cats in all directions, cockroaches roaming the house, no hot water (at least there’s running water!), beautiful women in vibrantly colored cloths, men staring and making kissing sounds at me... the list goes on and on.  I became comfortable with the views, people, smells, and atmosphere of Bombay very quickly.  Yet the pace of life, the constant movement, the availability of amazing street food, the plethora and variety of food options, and the constant noise are all still difficult for me.  I’m used to going to bed when the sun goes down, or shortly there after, and waking up with the sun.  Wow is Bombay different! People don’t go into work until 10 or 11am.  People don’t go out to dinner until 9 or 10pm.  And people don’t come home from hanging out until 2, 3, 4 or 5am.  I was not ready for this!!!  Regardless, I’m having an amazing time and seeing/experiencing so much.  I’m so thankful I have over 2 months here.  

Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Street Food


Today we went down south of the city to see the gateway and just a new area of town.  This town is enormous- I understand not as much land area as many other cities, but maybe too many years in Moz has skewed my view.  The south was beautiful- the architecture is so different, majestic, and powerful.  We wandered around the streets for a few hours, looking at things, eating street food, and stopping in the new Starbucks (we had to- it’s new).  
My first street food experience was an interesting one. First the vendor handed me a tiny (empty) bowl.  He then took a crispy puff thing, poked a hole in the top, and put spices in it.  Then he added a corn-looking mixture, then water, then handed it to me.  I should’ve eaten the whole thing at once but I was confused, so when I bit into it, the liquid came running out, down my face, into the bowl, and onto the street.  The vendor just laughed and made another.  I kept eating and he kept making.  Ben told me I was suppose to get 6 but I swear I ate at least 10.  I said thank you and I was full and he kept making the little crispy puffs. This man was so amused by my lack of understanding as to what was happening he just kept feeding me.  Finally I threw my bowl away and told him I couldn’t eat anymore.  Then he made me a different kind of crispy puff thing, which was a bit sweeter.  Again I told him I couldn’t eat anymore, and thankfully this time he listened.  Between his constant smile and laugher throughout the ordeal, I really think I made this man’s day. 

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Abu Dhabi

In transit from Joburg to Mumbai I happened to have a layover in Abu Dhabi- an 18 hour layover.  I was excited at first, I'd have the entire day to tour around the city, but then after not sleeping a wink on the 8hour flight in I became a bit more hesitant.  Thankfully I ran into another American who had just spent 12 hours in the airport, regretting his decision to not leave the airport.  He gave me tips I needed about transport, how much things should cost, and explained a few things I could do in town.  I caught a bus into the city and finally fell asleep! Great, yet I missed my stop so I got off at the end of the line and just started walking around.  It was so beautiful- mosques around every corner, clean streets, glass skyscrapers, and parks.  The men would step off the curb to give me space as I passed.  There were meter maids.  The skyscrapers had a green tint to them, so it legit looked like the Emerald City.  The park had hundreds of kids playing and no trash to be found. Amazing city.  To top it all off, after spending about an hour hanging out on the beach, watching speed boats race around in circles, I asked a man where to catch the bus back to the airport.  Turns out he was headed that way, delivering food from his restaurant- offered me a ride.  We ran in to the restaurant to pick up an order and I left with hummus, chicken masala, and oh so much garlic butter nan.  Even though I still had about 10 hours to wait at the airport, I had a full, happy belly the whole time.  Abu Dhabi was amazing!

Monday, December 17, 2012

Table Mountain

Yesterday, my last day in Cape Town, I went off on my own and hiked Table Mountain.  It was quite an intense hike, I will admit, but a fantastic view.  And after the emotional rollercoaster that was yesterday, I needed some time alone to clear my head and blow off steam. I'm so happy I climbed both up and down the moutain (90mins up, 60down), I needed the workout, but today I feel like I ran a marathon yesterday.  I look like an idiot trying to stand up, sit down, or climb stairs.  Totally worth it.

Friday, December 14, 2012

Last Days with PCVs

Saying goodbye sucks.  There is no other way to put it.  Over the last few weeks I've said goodbye to so many people (and places), without knowing if or when I'll ever see them again.  Of course I'd love to stay in touch, but with people traveling all over the globe and lives moving in different directions, it's hard to know anything for certain.  All my emotions about moving on to a new chapter of my life came crashing down on me this morning, when I hugged Val goodbye.  Val and I have been together since October 2009, when this crazy Peace Corps experience started.  We have been through so much together- she was my closest neighbor during my first two years- and her leaving, in my mind, marked the true end of an era.  She was my last tie to my 3 year long PC experience.  Of course I love Mike, Chris, and Laurie (who I'm still with for the next 36 hours), but they are so new to PC (one year in) that the relationship is different. Even though it's extremely difficult at the moment, I must keep reminding myself of all the truely wonderful people I've met, the relationships we've created, the places I've seen, and all the magnificent experiences I have in my future.  That said, goodbyes still suck.

Thursday, December 13, 2012

Movie Theater!!

I saw a movie today- in a real movie theater!  I ate popcorn, buttery and delicious, and I even got to choose my seats in the theater.  After the movie, Chris, Laurie, Mike and I went to a fancy dinner at a seaside restaurant, where Val met us.  We felt a little out of place, with our shorts and tank tops, but the food was amazing.  Ostrich and apricot raviloi, mushroom risotto, fresh calamari.... Cape Town in blowing my mind!!!

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Cape Town!!

And I'm back!!!!  There is something about this place that just keeps pulling me back.
Val and I traveled to CPT together and once here met up with 4 other PCVs and another American who was living in Moz.  Day one was pretty calm, wandering up and down Long Street, people watching, and getting over shell shock.  Things that I still can't get over: I can drink tap water, there are trash cans and clean streets, people speak English, and food option are endless.

Wine Tour- Amanda, Val, Mike and I went on a wine tour and had a blast!! The wine was great, obviously, but spending the entire afternoon with those guys was the best part.  Our tour group consisted of 12 people (a few other Americans, 3 Canadians, a South African, and a Dutch girl) and I'm pretty sure the PCVs shocked them at first, but throughout the day they warmed up to us. By the end of it we were all great friends.  And another great part- the winery I went to with my parents on my birthday we visited again!  Pierre, our wine expert, remembered me, and we spent a lot of time chatting, catching up, and drinking delicious port :)

On Amanda's last day, we spent the day together wandering around the waterfront, drinking amazing beers, and eating fresh seafood.

Cape Town is amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Saturday, December 8, 2012

Goodbye Mozambique

I'm officially an RPCV! Technically Returned Peace Corps Volunteer but I feel the R is better as Recovering. The COS (Close Of Service) process is a bit intense- medical check up, dentist visits, language testing, "interview" with the country director, etc.  All of it went by pretty smoothly- plus I was able to spend time with so many awesome volunteers that were coming through town.
Cristina, my empregada from Hokwe and best friend from my old site, happens to be living in Maputo right now with her father and sister, so this afternoon she came to the PC office to visit and say goodbye.  It was SO wonderful to see her! And heart breaking.  I would love to come back to visit Mozambique in the future but I honestly don't know when that could happen. And even if it does, tracking down certain people without email or telephones could prove to be quite difficult.  I think she realized this, hence a very sad parting.  I will miss her, Rafito and Eloite (her beautiful babies), and all of our great times very much.
Tonight is my bus ride to JoBurg with Val and Scoot.  So excited for this next chapter, and very thankful I have a few great friends by my side for the journey.

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Extendee dinner party

Last night, Custodio (one of my bosses) invited all third year extendee volunteers over to his house for dinner.  The four of us (Me, Jordan, Scooter, and Val) spent the evening with Custodio, his wife, and his daughter, talking about our service, future plans, America, food we’ve missed, most embarrassing moments from service, and everything in-between.  I am so thankful to have had one last opportunity to spend time with one of my favorite people.

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Swear-in!!!

Congrats all 68 Moz 19ers for making it through training and I can’t wait to hear about all your adventures throughout the next two years.  You have made my last two months so enjoyable- I will miss you all so much.

Sunday, December 2, 2012

Sunday Funday





Every Sunday for a the past two months (besides the days we were out of town), Scooter and I have hosted a handful of trainees at our house for cooking parties.  The first Sunday started because two of the trainees are Russian and Scooter and I were curious what Russian food was.  So we invited them to come over cook for us.  We had Pelmeni, kind of like dumplings.









After such a successful party, we decided to continue the tradition.  Week two was Thai theme so we cooked Pad Thai and a spicy peanut dip. 


Week three- Mediterranean night and The Sound of Music. 




Week four- Mexican Fiesta.  Week five- American night with mac and cheese, onion rings, grilled cheese, and tomato soup.  Sunday afternoons easily became one of the highlights of my week.

Eu estou a sair

My last days in Namaacha were spent full of hugs, packing, playing, sharing photos, and reassuring everyone I will be back someday and I will make sure to tell President Obama and Celin Dion I will say hi next time I see them. It was easier than leaving Hokwe, because this time around I have fewer close Mozambican friends, but still hard knowing I’ll most likely never be back.

This is Avo, my and Scooter's grandmother, with a few of her grand and great-grandbabies. I'm showing photos my mom has taken.
I keep having moments of Graduation Goggles. Let me explain- the term comes from How I Met Your Mother (great show) and means roughly the things, people, or places that drive you crazy start to seem pretty great or at least not so annoying. For me, the heathen neighbor kids started to seem less annoying. The long walk to the office in the hot sun was not so unbearable. The overstuffed chapa rides where I hardly touch the seat because I’m crammed between three “Big Mamas” and I lose feeling in all limbs because I can’t move seemed strangely comfortable. Because I know it’s all coming to an end, I weirdly enough miss the things I couldn’t stand. Graduation Goggles, if you will.

Saturday, December 1, 2012

SwaziLand



Sounds like an amusement park, and today it felt like one. A co-worker from Swazi came and got Scooter and me from the border and took us into town for lunch. During lunch, not only did Scooter and I share yet another milkshake (I’m pretty sure we freaked him out, yet again), but I made friends with a little Swazi boy, who shared my pizza.  At the restaurant there happened to be an in-ground trampoline, swing sets, and a giant playground.  Awesome afternoon in Swazi!!

Also HAPPY WORLD AIDS DAY!!!

Goodbyes



Teachers bar with exiting Moz 15ers

Each week there is a new group of between 8 and 14 volunteers that come down to COS- Close Of Service.  Last year I was able to come into Maputo every week to say goodbye to my friends, the PCVs that I arrived with 3 years ago.  This year I’ve also been able to come into the city to spend time with people.  It’s extremely bittersweet.  Everyone is sad to leave Mozambique, our acquired family of volunteers, and the familiarity of the strange and unknown, but everyone is also so excited to get out into the world and start new lives. 




I’m in the last round of COSers, which too is good and bad.  Good because I get to say goodbye to everyone as they come through, but bad because I watch my friends leaving, week by week, like slowly taking off a band-aid, small rip by small rip.   

Maputo with our 19ers